Palena Province

The territory spans 15,301 square kilometers of steep fjords, wild rivers, hot springs, and snow-capped volcanoes in the northern part of Chilean Patagonia.

The province received its name from Italian Jesuit Nicolas Mascardi, who named the Palena Lake after a town in Abruzzo, Italy during his explorations.

The province maintains four communes - Chaitén, Futaleufú, Hualaihué, and Palena - each with distinct administrative structures and local governance systems.

Travelers need to take two ferry rides across fjords while driving through the Carretera Austral, as the road network remains discontinuous in this region.

The Pumalin Douglas Tompkins National Park within the province represents one of the largest wilderness protection areas in South America.

Location: Los Lagos Region

Capital city: Chaiten

Elevation above the sea: 125 m

Shares border with: Llanquihue Province, Chiloé Province, Coyhaique Province, Aysén Province, Cushamen Department, Futaleufú Department, Languiñeo Department, Tehuelches Department

Website: http://gobernacionpalena.gov.cl

GPS coordinates: -43.00000,-72.33333

Latest update: March 3, 2025 05:04