Introduction Arica-Parinacota Region Tarapacá Region Antofagasta Region Atacama Region Coquimbo Region Valparaíso Region O´Higgins Region Maule Region Bío Bío Region La Araucanía Region Los Ríos Region Los Lagos Region Aysén Region Magallanes & the Chilean Antartic Region Metropolitan Region

Capital: Valdivia

Area: 18,429.5 km2

Population: 356,396 inhabitants (2002 Census)

Population density: 19.3 inhab/km2

Principal economic activities: Agriculture, forestry, higher education and tourism.

 

The Los Ríos Region is divided into two provinces --Valdivia and Ranco-- and 12 municipalities. It was created under Law 20.174, which was signed into force by President Michelle Bachelet in Valdivia on March 16, 2007 and published in the Official Gazette on April 5 before coming into full operation on October 2, 2007. 

Centuries-old fortifications close to Valdivia, the regional capital, are testimony to Chile's colonial history but the city was also a key center of German immigration into the south of Chile. The region's other attractions include the native tree species found in the “Valdivian forests” and Chile's only network of 270 kms of navigable rivers, served by a large fleet of comfortable cruise boats.

Valdivia has also emerged as one of the country's main venues for congresses and conventions.

The region's diversified economic activities are led by cattle farming in the Intermediate Depression, which has meant the construction of modern dairy and meat refrigeration plants. Wood production, particularly from native species, is also important and cereals, sugar beet, potatoes and linen are grown.

In this region, the Andes Mountains are relatively low, showing important glacial erosion, and contain a large number of volcanoes such as Villarrica and Choshuenco. Where they meet the Intermediate Depression, there are a series of glacial lakes, including Calafquén, Panguipulli and Ranco. The rolling Central Depression is very eroded while the Cordillera de la Costa is hardly apparent and gives way to coastal plains of some significance.

The region has a cold wet temperate maritime climate, with an average annual rainfall of 3,000 mm. On the coast, there are deciduous woods with species that include alerce, mañío, lenga and ñire as well as bay. The average annual temperature is around 11°C.

The region has an area of 18,429.5 km2 and, according to the 2002 Census, a population of 356,396 inhabitants. It comprises the municipalities of Valdivia, Mariquina, Lanco, Los Lagos, Futrono, Corral, Máfil, Panguipulli, La Unión, Paillaco, Río Bueno and Lago Ranco.

 

Area

According to the National Statistics Institute (INE), the Los Ríos Region has an area of 18,429.5 km2. For the purposes of administration, it is divided into two provinces: Valdivia of which the capital is the city of Valdivia and Ranco with La Unión as its capital.

 

Land formation

The region's four main land formations are the Andes Mountains, which drop in height towards the south and are volcanic in nature as demonstrated by the Choshuenco Volcano; the Cordillera de la Costa which takes the form of small ridges; the coast plains which are small and crossed by rivers and streams; and the Intermediate Depression. The latter forms a north-south valley between the two mountains ranges and is suitable for livestock and arable farming.  

 

Climate

The region has a west coast temperate climate with Mediterranean influence, producing exuberant vegetation in the form of the typical Valdivian forest. Rain falls throughout the year but is heavier in the winter months (ranging from 646 mm to 343 mm with an annual average of 2,500 mm). The temperature variation is approximately 12º C.

 

Water resources

The region has an extensive river system formed principally by the Valdivia River, with a 9,902- km2 basin, and the Calle-Calle, Cau-Cau, Cruces and Bueno Rivers. In addition, there are seven lakes of which the largest are Calafquén, Panguipulli, Riñihue and Ranco.

 

Population

According to the 2002 Census, the region had a population of 356,396 inhabitants, representing 2.36% of the country's total population, and a population density of 19.3 inhabitants/km2.

 

Economic sectors

The region's main economic activities are forestry (native woods of coigue, cypress and raulí), agriculture (potatoes, rapeseed, oats and sugar beet), manufacturing, boatbuilding, higher education and tourism, including typical crafts and food products (knitwear, marzipan, chocolates, beer, liqueurs and pottery).  

 

Administrative divisions

REGIONAL CAPITAL	PROVINCES	MUNICIPALITIES
Valdivia	Valdivia	Valdivia Mariquina Lanco Los Lagos Corral Máfil Panguipulli Paillaco
	Ranco	Futrono La Unión Río Bueno Lago Ranco

Foreign Direct Investment DL 600 Statistics in the Los Ríos Region (1974 - 2008), (Excel, 38 Kb.)