Lonquimay, Mountain town and commune in Malleco Province, Chile
Lonquimay is a mountain town in Chile's Araucanía Region, positioned in terrain shaped by forests and volcanic formations. The settlement sits within a valley surrounded by slopes that define its geographical character.
The town developed in the 1890s as part of southern Chile's regional growth and settlement expansion. The railway constructed through the area became crucial for connecting isolated communities and facilitating commerce.
The population of 10,237 inhabitants maintains traditional rural practices, with two-thirds of residents living in scattered agricultural settlements across the commune.
Visitors can access hiking and nature trails throughout the surrounding mountains and forests. Winter sports activities are available on nearby slopes during the June through September season.
A lengthy railway tunnel pierces through the mountain region and was originally designed to connect with Argentina across the Andes. This engineering achievement demonstrates the ambition to link isolated territories on both sides of the border.
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