Cunco, Agricultural center in Cautín Province, Chile
Cunco is a commune in Cautín Province, Araucanía Region, covering approximately 1,900 square kilometers in southern Chile. The landscape is shaped by the Allipén River and Colico Lake, situated at roughly 364 meters elevation.
Colonel Gregorio Urrutia founded this place in 1883 as a frontier fort near the Cunco and Nahuelcura marshes, beside the Allipén River. The settlement emerged as part of territorial expansion into the southern regions during that period.
The name Cunco comes from Mapuche language, combining 'cun' meaning dark red and 'co' meaning water, describing water carrying volcanic ash or sediment. Local people use this name when talking about the geographic character of their region.
The area is defined by agriculture and small business activity, with limited urban development. Visitors should expect rural infrastructure and adjust to seasonal changes, as road conditions can vary depending on weather.
In April 1918, Argentine pilot Luis Candelaria completed the first aerial crossing of the Andes, landing near this territory. This event marked a landmark moment in early South American aviation history.
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