Chiloe Island - Remote And Rough Paradise In South Chile
In 2007 the magazine "National Geographic Traveler" published a ranking of "Island Paradises of the world".
Chiloé Island came in third.
The jury pointed out that Chiloé would be one of the islands which have maintained nativeness and still authentic.
And indeed Chiloé is a mystic mysterious "bewitched" and unusual island.
The "Isla Grande de Chiloé" is South America's second largest island and it is considered one of the most striking cultural anomalies.
Divided by the gentle peaks of the Coastal Range, Chiloé's eastern and western coasts are two worlds apart.
To the west the island is a wilderness of endless beaches, dune habit and rain forests, much of it protected in one of Chile's national parks.
To the east we find the scattered islands of Chiloé archipelago, sheltered from Pacific storms, intensely cultivated, home to a traditional culture of subsistence farmers, fishermen and craftsmen.
The history of Chiloé, both human and natural, is influenced by episodes of isolation.
Cut off from the growing colony in Central Chile by a vast territory of impenetrable forests and hostile Mapuche Indias on the mainland, the inhabitants of Chiloé depended directly upon the Viceroyalty in Lima for provisions.
In these times a ship came once a year, if any, exchanging astronomically priced manufactured goods and supplies not available locally and buying for a song the fruits of the islanders' labor.
After two centuries, the Spanish population mixed with the natives and they all learned to live with the limited resources offered by sea, forest and earth.
Meanwhile, the Jesuit order settled down on Chiloé, erected schools and over two hundred elegant wooden churches, many of them now are protected as national monuments and in 2000 the churches of Chiloé were added to the UNESCO's World Heritage list.
A rich mythology populated by strange trolls, sea monsters and eerie ghost ships is yet another mark of Chiloé's particular history and is a result of a mixture between indigenous mythology and the superstition of Spanish conquerors.
Famous for its seafood, its wooden handicraft and the warmth of its people Chiloé is still a largely unknown destination for walking, biking, fishing, paddling and bird watching.
Ancud, the northern area of "The Big Island" is a surprising city and the best equipped in Chiloé.
One of its historical landmarks is the San Antonio Fort, the last garrison where the Spanish flag flew in South America.
From the lookout in Huaihuén Hill you have a beautiful view of the city.
The town of Castro, characterized by its fleets of yellow fishing boats and distinctive houses built on stilts (palafitos) above the tides, is easily accessible and provides a full range of tourist services.
Chiloé Island came in third.
The jury pointed out that Chiloé would be one of the islands which have maintained nativeness and still authentic.
And indeed Chiloé is a mystic mysterious "bewitched" and unusual island.
The "Isla Grande de Chiloé" is South America's second largest island and it is considered one of the most striking cultural anomalies.
Divided by the gentle peaks of the Coastal Range, Chiloé's eastern and western coasts are two worlds apart.
To the west the island is a wilderness of endless beaches, dune habit and rain forests, much of it protected in one of Chile's national parks.
To the east we find the scattered islands of Chiloé archipelago, sheltered from Pacific storms, intensely cultivated, home to a traditional culture of subsistence farmers, fishermen and craftsmen.
The history of Chiloé, both human and natural, is influenced by episodes of isolation.
Cut off from the growing colony in Central Chile by a vast territory of impenetrable forests and hostile Mapuche Indias on the mainland, the inhabitants of Chiloé depended directly upon the Viceroyalty in Lima for provisions.
In these times a ship came once a year, if any, exchanging astronomically priced manufactured goods and supplies not available locally and buying for a song the fruits of the islanders' labor.
After two centuries, the Spanish population mixed with the natives and they all learned to live with the limited resources offered by sea, forest and earth.
Meanwhile, the Jesuit order settled down on Chiloé, erected schools and over two hundred elegant wooden churches, many of them now are protected as national monuments and in 2000 the churches of Chiloé were added to the UNESCO's World Heritage list.
A rich mythology populated by strange trolls, sea monsters and eerie ghost ships is yet another mark of Chiloé's particular history and is a result of a mixture between indigenous mythology and the superstition of Spanish conquerors.
Famous for its seafood, its wooden handicraft and the warmth of its people Chiloé is still a largely unknown destination for walking, biking, fishing, paddling and bird watching.
Ancud, the northern area of "The Big Island" is a surprising city and the best equipped in Chiloé.
One of its historical landmarks is the San Antonio Fort, the last garrison where the Spanish flag flew in South America.
From the lookout in Huaihuén Hill you have a beautiful view of the city.
The town of Castro, characterized by its fleets of yellow fishing boats and distinctive houses built on stilts (palafitos) above the tides, is easily accessible and provides a full range of tourist services.
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