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Osorno Province

Location in the Los Lagos Region
Country Region	Chile Los Lagos
Capital	Osorno
Area	9,223.7 km2
Population  - Total  - Density	221,509 /km²
Communes	7

Osorno Province is one of the four provinces in the Los Lagos Region of Chile. The province has an area of 9,223.7 km² and a population of 221,509 distributed across seven municipalities (communes). The provincial capital is the city of Osorno.

The province possesses one of the most used mountain passes of Chile, the Cardenal Antonio Samoré Pass that links the province with Villa La Angostura and San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina.

[edit] Communes

• Osorno
• Puerto Octay
• Purranque
• Puyehue
• Río Negro
• San Pablo
• San Juan de la Costa

[edit] History

The first inhabitants of the area were Huilliches indigenous people. It also highlights the German Colonization in Chile, which took place in the 19th century, when the Chilean government brought German settlers to assist in the growth of the region.

[edit] Tourist attractions

The province is dominated by its great natural beauty, especially by:

• The lake and mountainous communes of Puerto Octay and Puyehue, where the German migrated influence is evident; mainly in construction and catering. The main tourist attractions in the area are its beautiful lakes: Llanquihue, Puyehue and Rupanco with multiple beaches each; Puyehue National Park (tourist centre which has the Hot spring and Baths of Puyehue and Aguas Calientes; and Antillanca ski resort).

• The communes central of Osorno and San Pablo, where Osorno city identifies itself with the slogan "City-Park of Chile". Osorno city is also notable for being the tourist centre of the province, since it serves as a nexus to go to other communes in the province.

• The coastal communes of Purranque, Rio negro and San Juan de la Costa, presenting a wide coastal area, rich in natural resources, and ecotourism and etnotourism. This area highlights the beaches Pucatrihue and Maicolpue. Also this zone presents wildlife reserves created by the original inhabitants of ethnic Huilliche, such as the Network of Community Parks Mapu Lahual, associated with marine and coastal protected area Lafken Mapu Lahual.

[edit] Economic activity

The main economic activity in the province is livestock, Osorno being one of the most important agricultural centers of Chile, which is identified with the slogan "Land of Milk and Meat of Chile". Another important economic activity is Tourism.

[edit] External links

• Diario Austral de Osorno newspaper of Osorno in Spanish

v • d • e < Communes and municipalities in Los Lagos Region > Osorno Province Osorno · Puerto Octay · Puyehue · Río Negro · Purranque · San Juan de la Costa · San Pablo Llanquihue Province Calbuco · Cochamó · Fresia · Frutillar · Llanquihue · Maullín · Los Muermos · Puerto Montt · Puerto Varas Chiloé Province Ancud · Castro · Chonchi · Curaco de Vélez · Dalcahue · Puqueldón · Queilén · Quellón · Quemchi · Quinchao Palena Province Chaitén · Futaleufú · Hualaihué · Palena

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