Aysen Region
Encyclopedia
The XI Aisén Region of General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo , also spelled Aysén, is one of Chile
's 15 first order administrative division
s. Although the third largest in area, the region is Chile's most sparsely populated region with a population of 105,000. The capital of the region is Coihaique, the region's former namesake.
It is the least populous of the fifteen regions. The shape of the landscape is marked by several glaciations that formed a lot of lakes, channels and fjords. The region still has icefields including the Northern Patagonian Ice Field
and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field
, the world's largest after those in Antarctica and Greenland. Laguna San Rafael National Park
, reachable only by boat or plane, is one of its most popular tourist destinations. Until the construction of Route 7 (the Carretera Austral
, or Southern Highway) in the 1980s, the only overland routes from north to south through the region were extremely primitive tracks.
and Chilean Antarctica. Its geographical location and transport difficulties explain the lack of interest aroused in the nineteenth century these lands, to the point that not even thought of colonizing them with immigrants, as happened with the other southern regions. Following the signing of the Boundary Treaty with Argentina
in 1881, settlers came to settle in these lands, which came scrolling through the Pampas to the valleys that cross the Andes from east to west. The anonymous and private effort led to the spontaneous creation of cities in Puerto Aysen
in 1904, Balmaceda Coyhaique in 1917 and 1929. The oldest of the towns is Melinka ("Darling" in Russian
), established by mid-nineteenth century, on Ascension Island, the archipelago of the Guaitecas
.
The native population was not abundant, if not scarce. In the insular region were some aborigines who inhabited the Islas del Chonos are the Guaitecas and Chono
s, whom were believed to been extinct in the 20th century. In the archipelagos south of the Gulf of Penas and to Tierra del Fuego
are the Alacalufes or Kaweshkar lived, also fishermen. Both groups were quickly decimated by disease and attacks by settlers in the late 19th century coming from southern Chile and Europe
, a great number were from Germany
, Switzerland
, Austria
, former Yugoslavia
, Italy
, Spain
, the Netherlands
, Denmark
and the United Kingdom
. Large numbers of Russians
, Croats
, Scots
, Welsh
and Irish
arrived by government invitation and land sale programs to assist in the population of southern Chile and to reduce the number of indigenous peoples.
Region XI, Aysen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, is the least populated of the country. According to the 2002 census was only 91 492 inhabitants in an area of 106,990.9 km ², which implies a very low density: 0,85 inhabitants per km ². For the time elapsed since the last census to date, it has been estimated an average growth rate of 0.9 per 100 inhabitants.
The largest cities are (2002 census): Coyhaique (44.850 hab.), Puerto Aysen (16.936 hab.), Chile Chico (3042 hab.). Puerto Swan (2517 pop.), Cochrane (2217 pop.); Melinka (1411 hab.) and Mañihuales Villa (1401 pop.).
with other British
nations) and later arrivals of Spaniards, most notably the Basques. There has been efforts to increase population and economic industries involve forest lumber mills, corporate fisheries in lakes and the coasts, light industry involve canning and paper/pulp production, mountain recreation, winter sports (skiing lodges) and eco-tourism.
An industrial park, devoted mainly to producing frozen and, to a lesser extent, canned, products has developed around Puerto Chacabuco, Puerto Aisén, and Puerto Cisnes
.
Although mining, based on polymetallic deposits of zinc, gold, and silver, makes a small contribution to Chile’s total mining GDP, it is significant in regional exports.
Exploitation of forests and the production of yard timber, plywood, and panels for furniture is mostly geared to export markets. Animal husbandry focuses on beef cattle, sheep, and sheep’s wool, part of which is exported.
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
's 15 first order administrative division
Administrative division
An administrative division, subnational entity, or country subdivision is a portion of a country or other political division, established for the purpose of government. Administrative divisions are each granted a certain degree of autonomy, and are required to manage themselves through their own...
s. Although the third largest in area, the region is Chile's most sparsely populated region with a population of 105,000. The capital of the region is Coihaique, the region's former namesake.
It is the least populous of the fifteen regions. The shape of the landscape is marked by several glaciations that formed a lot of lakes, channels and fjords. The region still has icefields including the Northern Patagonian Ice Field
Northern Patagonian Ice Field
The Northern Patagonian Ice Field, located in southern Chile, is the smaller of two remnant parts in which the Patagonian Ice Sheet in the Andes Mountains of lower South America can be divided. It is completely contained within the boundaries of Laguna San Rafael National Park...
and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field
Southern Patagonian Ice Field
The Southern Patagonian Ice Field , located at the Southern Patagonic Andes between Argentina and Chile, is the second largest contiguous extrapolar extent of ice in the world...
, the world's largest after those in Antarctica and Greenland. Laguna San Rafael National Park
Laguna San Rafael National Park
Laguna San Rafael National Park is a park located on the Pacific coast of southern Chile. The park is named for the San Rafael Lagoon formed by the retreat of the San Rafael Glacier. Created in 1959, it covers an area of and includes the Northern Patagonian Ice Field...
, reachable only by boat or plane, is one of its most popular tourist destinations. Until the construction of Route 7 (the Carretera Austral
Carretera Austral
The Carretera Austral , formerly known as Carretera General Augusto Pinochet, is the name given to Chile's Route 7. The highway runs about from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins through rural Patagonia....
, or Southern Highway) in the 1980s, the only overland routes from north to south through the region were extremely primitive tracks.
Demography
The Vista de Coihaique y Coihaique Esta region was the last to be joined to make the country, long after even the southernmost region of MagallanesMagallanes
-Chile:* Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region** Magallanes Province, within this region** Punta Arenas or Magallanes, the main city in the region and province-Philippines:* Magallanes, Agusan del Norte* Magallanes, Cavite* Magallanes, Sorsogon...
and Chilean Antarctica. Its geographical location and transport difficulties explain the lack of interest aroused in the nineteenth century these lands, to the point that not even thought of colonizing them with immigrants, as happened with the other southern regions. Following the signing of the Boundary Treaty with Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
in 1881, settlers came to settle in these lands, which came scrolling through the Pampas to the valleys that cross the Andes from east to west. The anonymous and private effort led to the spontaneous creation of cities in Puerto Aysen
Puerto Aysen
Puerto Aisén is a city of Chile located in the Aisén Region, above the head of Aisén Fjord in the country's extreme south. Puerto Aisén, which is the capital city of both the Aisén Province and the commune of Aisén is located far from the Regional Capital of Coyhaique, and far from the port of...
in 1904, Balmaceda Coyhaique in 1917 and 1929. The oldest of the towns is Melinka ("Darling" in Russian
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
), established by mid-nineteenth century, on Ascension Island, the archipelago of the Guaitecas
Guaitecas
Guaitecas is Chilean commune located in Guaitecas Archipelago which are part of Aisén Province and Region. The administrative centre is Melinka, the only port and town in the Chonos Archipelago.-Demographics:...
.
The native population was not abundant, if not scarce. In the insular region were some aborigines who inhabited the Islas del Chonos are the Guaitecas and Chono
Chono
Chono or Chona is a generic name for a nomadic, indigenous people of the Chiloé Archipelago, Chile. They are now extinct.The Chono became extinct during the 18th century with the last survivor going missing in 1875....
s, whom were believed to been extinct in the 20th century. In the archipelagos south of the Gulf of Penas and to Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago off the southernmost tip of the South American mainland, across the Strait of Magellan. The archipelago consists of a main island Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego divided between Chile and Argentina with an area of , and a group of smaller islands including Cape...
are the Alacalufes or Kaweshkar lived, also fishermen. Both groups were quickly decimated by disease and attacks by settlers in the late 19th century coming from southern Chile and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, a great number were from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Large numbers of Russians
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
, Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
, Scots
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
, Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
and Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
arrived by government invitation and land sale programs to assist in the population of southern Chile and to reduce the number of indigenous peoples.
Region XI, Aysen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, is the least populated of the country. According to the 2002 census was only 91 492 inhabitants in an area of 106,990.9 km ², which implies a very low density: 0,85 inhabitants per km ². For the time elapsed since the last census to date, it has been estimated an average growth rate of 0.9 per 100 inhabitants.
The largest cities are (2002 census): Coyhaique (44.850 hab.), Puerto Aysen (16.936 hab.), Chile Chico (3042 hab.). Puerto Swan (2517 pop.), Cochrane (2217 pop.); Melinka (1411 hab.) and Mañihuales Villa (1401 pop.).
People of Coyhaique
The indigeneous Cunco people sparsley populated the region before European arrival. The capital city was heavily influenced by Germanic immigration (Germans and the EnglishEnglish people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
with other British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
nations) and later arrivals of Spaniards, most notably the Basques. There has been efforts to increase population and economic industries involve forest lumber mills, corporate fisheries in lakes and the coasts, light industry involve canning and paper/pulp production, mountain recreation, winter sports (skiing lodges) and eco-tourism.
Economy
The primary sector dominates in the regional economy, which focuses on the exploitation and processing of marine, mining, forestry, and animal resources. Aquaculture is also an important activity and the region contributes 80% of Chile’s salmon output.An industrial park, devoted mainly to producing frozen and, to a lesser extent, canned, products has developed around Puerto Chacabuco, Puerto Aisén, and Puerto Cisnes
Puerto Cisnes
Puerto Cisnes is a town and seaport in Cisnes commune, Aisén Province, Aisén Region in the Chilean Patagonia. The town is located at the outflow of Cisnes River....
.
Although mining, based on polymetallic deposits of zinc, gold, and silver, makes a small contribution to Chile’s total mining GDP, it is significant in regional exports.
Exploitation of forests and the production of yard timber, plywood, and panels for furniture is mostly geared to export markets. Animal husbandry focuses on beef cattle, sheep, and sheep’s wool, part of which is exported.
Municipalities
Aisén Region has ten municipalities (communes)- Coihaique
- Lago VerdeLago Verde, ChileLago Verde is Chilean commune located in the upper flow of Cisnes River in Coyhaique Province and Aisén Region. The commune is administered by the municipality in La Tapera, the principal settlement.-Demographics:...
- AysénAisén, ChileAisén is a Chilean commune located in Aisén Province, Aisén Region. It is home to the city of Puerto Aisén and to the towns of Villa Mañiguales and Puerto Chacabuco.-Demographics:...
- CisnesCisnesCisnes is a Chilean commune located in the Aisén Province, Aisén Region. The commune spans an area of .-Demographics:...
- GuaitecasGuaitecasGuaitecas is Chilean commune located in Guaitecas Archipelago which are part of Aisén Province and Region. The administrative centre is Melinka, the only port and town in the Chonos Archipelago.-Demographics:...
- CochraneCochrane, ChileCochrane is a Chilean town and commune in Capitán Prat Province of the Aisén Region. According to the 2002 census it has a population of 2,867. The urban population in 2002 was 2,217 and the rural population was 650....
- O'HigginsO'Higgins, ChileO'Higgins is a Chilean commune located around O'Higgins Lake in the south east of Aisén Region. The commune is administered by the municipality in Villa O'Higgins, the principal settlement.-Demographics:...
- TortelTortelTortel is Chilean commune located at the outflow of Baker and Pascua River to the Pacific Ocean between the Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Field...
- Chile ChicoChile ChicoChile Chico is a town in General Carrera Province, Aisén Region, Patagonia, Chile. It is located on the south shore of General Carrera Lake...
- Río IbáñezRío Ibáñez, ChileRío Ibáñez is a commune in General Carrera Province, Aisén Region, Chile. It is named after Ibáñez River, a major tributary of General Carrera Lake....
External links
- Official website of the Region
- Official website of the Commune of Coyhaique
- Official website of the Commune of Lago Verde
- Official website of the Commune of Aysén
- Official website of the Commune of Cisnes
- Official website of the Commune of Cochrane
- Official website of the Commune of Tortel
- Official website of the Commune of Chile Chico
- Official website of the Commune of Río Ibáñez
- A non-official website containing information on the Commune of O'Higgins