Diario las Américas., 1958-06-27
Know thy
Neigh.borI
BY ANTONIO RUIZ

CHILE - one OF the most I'M
portant tourist centers of South
ern Chile is Villarrica, a colonial
town founded in 1852 by Geroni-
mo de Alderete, one of the lieute-
nantS of the Conqueror Pedro de
Valdivia. 1t has played an import
ant role in the history of Chile,
since during the conquest i'm
portant military actions between
the SpaniardS and the Araucanians
took place in the surrounding re-
gion. Villarrica is located at the
terminal of a railroad branch line
starting at the Loncohe station,
and on the shore of Lake Villarri-
ca, near the head of the pictures
que Tolten River. 1t has many ex-
traordinary attractions, since ma
ture there is at its best, and the
landscapes + among the most
beautiful in the world.
The city has certain Importance
with good commercial activity, be-
ing the center of a vast tourist re-
gion 1t is the seat of the Apostolic
Vicariage of Araucania, and has a
famous seminary. 1t is n of the
most visited points in the Pro
vince of Cautin during the sum
mer, offering the tourists excel
lent fishing in the Tolten River.
Being near Pucon, one of the best
resorts in Southern Chile, con-
tributes to the Importance of Vii
~larrica as a tourist center. Dur
ing the summer season, the State
Railroads have direct service, with
pullman, from Santiago to Villa
rrica.
The beautiful lake resort of Pu-
con is today first in the list of all
those who visit Southern Chile.
Many are the persons from for
eign countries who visit Pucon
during the summer season, Dec
ember to March. 1t is located at a
short distance from Villarrica, on
ly about 20 miles, and on the
nearby volcano can bee seen. The
Playa Hotel, a 200-room structure
with all modern conveniences, was
built specially to accommodate tour
lists.
There are many interesting pla-
ces that a be visited from Pu-
con, among them the Trancura Ri
yer, to the north, in which several
species of salmon, some of them of
large sizes, are found in abund-
ance; the Villarrica Volcano, a few
miles from Pucon, rises over T.
600 feet above sea level, and is a
favorite place for hiking and
mountain climbing; from the vol
cano a panorama of great beauty
can be seen, including the town,
the lake and a portion of the
mountain range, with now COW
cred peaks. In the snow trails of
the volcano, every year there are
ski competitions, with participa-
ton of experts, both Chilean and
foreign.
Very picturesque also is a place
known as LA Rinconada," which
can be reached by boats hired at
the hotel. II is located at the
mouth of a river flowing into the
lake the shores of which are GOV
cred with ~exuberant vegetation.
The trip takes about three hours;
the boats have room for four per-
sons.
Interesting excursions can be
made to the beautiful Lake Co
burgua, about twenty miles from
Pucon; to the warm springs of
Palguin, and to Lake Quillehihue,
located at a short distance from
the Argentine border, and sur
rounded by centuries old trees and
in the waters of which the white
cone of Lanin volcano is always
reflected.
Also at a short distance from
Pucon are the warm springs of
Menetue, on the northern shore of
the Trancura River, which are
well known for the medicinal
qualities of the waters Menetue
is located in a region of beautiful
landscapes, and has a hotel with all
modern conveniences. The warm
springs of Palguin also has a hotel
with Accommodations for 600, with
all the modern conveniences.
Spanish Version Page 8