Chile Southern zone, Geographic region in southern Chile
The Southern Zone is a geographic region in southern Chile that features fjords, forests, lakes, and mountain ranges. The landscape extends from Puerto Montt to the Araucanía region and connects coastal areas with Andean slopes and volcanic formations.
The area was heavily reshaped during the last ice age, creating deep valleys and widespread lakes. From the mid-19th century onward, European immigrants settled here, introducing agriculture and timber industries that permanently changed the region.
The region shows clear signs of European settlers from the 19th century, especially in the architecture of smaller towns and in culinary traditions. Visitors often notice wooden churches built by German colonists, along with local breweries and bakeries that follow old European recipes.
The area receives heavy rainfall throughout the year, so visitors should bring waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear. Roads connect coastal towns with mountain villages, and some sections can become slippery during rain.
The Valdivian temperate rainforest in this zone hosts ancient Alerce trees that can reach ages over 3,600 years and grow to around 150 feet (45 meters) tall. These trees are among the oldest living organisms on Earth and grow extremely slowly, making them particularly vulnerable.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
