The northern most point of the Lake District is Temuco, a city that's held tight to its Latin roots despite obvious signs of European influence. The traditional city is infused with modernity and home to roughly a quarter of a million residents whose lifestyles and interests are expressed both by traditional Mapuche dress and suit-clad businessmen, ancient artifacts and modern architecture, indigenous crafts markets and shopping malls.

Temuco's central plaza, Plaza Anibal Pinto, is lined with palm trays that sway in the pleasantly warm air. Surrounding the plaza are churches, office buildings, shops, cafes and restaurants. A few handicrafts markets dot Temuco's landscape, including the Mercado Municipal, which sells a fine array of handicrafts. The Taller Artesenal Universidad Catoloca sells reproductions of Mapuche silver jewelry created by artisans and students. Casa de la Mujer Mapuche (House of the Mapuche Woman) sells textiles and jewelry, and proceeds are used to support social development programs.

Pablo Neruda, Chile's famed Nobel Prize winning poet was known for a second interest too: he was one of the foremost train aficionados in all of Chile. His father worked on the railroad in Temuco when he was a boy, so this is where his interests were born. Years later, the city converted its old rail yard into the Museo Nacional Ferroviario Paboe Neruda, dedicated both to the region's railroad history and the late poet. The museum has a restored 1940s-era locomotive, which runs twice per month to nearby Valdivia.

For a glimpse into the region's history, visit the Museo Regional de la Arauncania, located in a 1924 mansion. Here you can find a collection of musical instruments, jewelry, clay pots and other cultural artifacts that shed light on the history of the area's earliest inhabitants-the indigenous Mapuche people. The museum also has a valuable exhibit depicting the struggle of the Mapuche people to maintain their cultural heritage in the face of Spanish colonization. Keep in mind that history is often written by the winners-the "taming of the Arauncania territories" as it's depicted at this museum may not be telling the whole story. It neglects to mention the effective guerrilla tactics that gave the Mapuche a fighting chance against the Spaniards' strength in numbers.

The highlight of Temuco is its Monumento Natural Cerro Nielol. It was here that the Mapuche signed a treaty with colonists at a site referred to as La Patagua in 1881, ceding their land to the settlers and establishing the city of Temuco. The Chilean national flower, the copihue, is present all around the 89 hectare natural preserve. Whether you're interested in the area's history or simply looking for a nice spot to picnic with the kids, you'll find it here. The region's cultural history is rich in Temuco. It's definitely worth a day's exploration.

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 Northern Patagonia

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  Puerto Varas
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