The central zone of Chile It is one of the five areas in which the national territory is geographically divided and includes the Metropolitan, O'Higgins, Maule, Bíobio and half of Valparaíso regions.
It is the most populated and important area of the country, since it concentrates 79% of the total population of Chile, most of the economic activity and the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the nation.
It is located between the Aconcagua rivers in the north (parallel 32º) and Biobío in its southern limit (parallel 36º). It also limits to the north with the Norte Chico, to the east with Argentina and to the south with the Southern Zone of Chile. It is characterized by having a predominantly Mediterranean climate and of a temperate type.
The central zone is nestled in a plain made up of small valleys located between the Andes Mountains and the Costa Mountains. Its main cities are Gran Santiago, Gran Valparaíso and Gran Concepción, along with other important cities such as Quillota, Melipilla, Rancagua, Los Andes, Curicó, Talca, Los Ángeles and Chillán..
The reliefs in this area are similar to those found in the Northern Area; that is, the coastal plains, the coastal mountain range, the Andes mountain range and the intermediate depression.
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In the five regions that make up this area, the Mediterranean and continental climate predominates, with mild rainy winters. On the other hand, summers are dry and hot due to the aridity of the territory. This type of climate is classified as warm temperate with winter rains and warm summer (Csb).
The climate in this area is more moderate than in the other four, so the seasons of the year are more accentuated and differentiated. Temperatures drop more than in the Northern Zone, as the relief changes and the mountains of the Andes mountain range get higher..
Annual temperatures regularly range from 12 ° C - 15 ° C to 40 ° C, depending on the region and the time of year. It is an area of high rainfall, which is concentrated in the winter period especially. Sometimes the rains cause floods in cities and streams overflowing when they are very abundant.
However, during the winter period the minimum temperatures can be very low with frosts in the morning, especially in the interior valleys. At noon, it usually gets much warmer.
Coastal temperatures are generally mild, tempered by the sea breeze. The air is humid and there is low cloudiness. These temperatures are more moderate in areas near the ocean.
During the summer the climate is dry but not so hot, while the winter is less intense than in the interior. Nor do morning frosts occur frequently and even less snowfall.
The climate of the intermediate depression and that of the city of Santiago is more of a continental Mediterranean type. It has a fairly long dry season, because at the end of spring and during summer there is a combination of high temperatures with little humidity..
During the winter season the minimum temperatures are usually very low. Morning frosts occur frequently in the interior valleys, however towards noon the temperature becomes more temperate. In this part, rainfall lasts for a period of 3 to 4 months.
Further south, between the Maule and Biobío river basins, the climate is temperate-warm with winter rains and warm summer, but temperatures are slightly lower and during summer the daytime maximums are the highest in the country..
The flora of the central zone is conditioned by the type of climate (dry summers and very rainy winters). Many plants such as quillay, boldo and peumo have developed hard leaves to better retain water and prevent it from evaporating.
For this reason, the plant formations in this area are called sclerophyllous forest (hard blade, In latin).
It is a tree of the palm family that is very representative of this area of Chile, where it is originally from. It has a thin and smooth grayish trunk, which can reach up to 20 meters in height and a diameter of 1 meter..
This branched shrub reaches a height of approximately 3 meters. It has round green stems, whose leaves are between 2.5 and 8 cm long, and have lanceolate and oval shapes..
It is an evergreen evergreen tree with leafy branches that can reach up to 30 meters in height. It has a thick, rough bark with alternate leaves that have elliptical shapes.
It is a herbaceous plant of a geophytic nature (it remains underground during certain times). It has a languid and thin stem 1 to 2 cm thick underground, which protrudes about 7 cm during spring and summer.
It is a lush and evergreen tree because it maintains its leaves permanently. It has a gray bark with flattened branches with light green leaves and produces small flowers..
This endemic tree reaches up to 14 meters in height and 1 meter in diameter. Its thick, cracked bark takes on different shades, from gray to light brown. It has flexible and thorny branches, and its leaves are yellowish green, measuring about 20 cm.
It is an endemic shrub, also with simple leaves with a stretched oblong shape, and a serrated edge. This plant usually reaches 10 meters in height. It has white flowers that are 3 cm long and about 2 cm in diameter, from which capsule-shaped fruits sprout.
These are some of the most characteristic animal species in this area:
It is 80 to 120 cm long, from head to black tipped tail, and weighs up to 12 kg. It has gray fur on the back, its hind legs are reddish in color and the other parts of the body are yellowish tones..
This species lives in various regions of Chile. It lives in spaces with rugged and mountainous terrain, in deep valleys, in scrub plains and temperate forests..
It is a bird of prey, also known by the name of the Chilean eagle, which lives in hills and mountains. It measures 70 to 90 cm, the females being larger than the males.
The adult male has white plumage in its ventral area with fine black stripes, a black back and its wings are grayish..
This bird is also known by the names of chancaca and tococo lives. It lives in the central zone of Chile, but also between Atacama and Valdivia.
It measures between 24 and 27 cm in length and between 32 to 37 cm in wingspan, with a weight that ranges from 140 to 230 grams. Its plumage has various black and gray tones combined with white on its abdomen.
This feline is also called a mountain lion, it lives mainly in the areas of the Andes mountain range. It has a small head, with white cheeks and a fairly robust reddish-brown body. Its size is between 1.40 and 2.40 m long.
The central zone has very fertile lands despite the current scarcity of water, precisely due to its high population density, the intense agricultural activity and the location of various industries..
It is an area rich in forest resources that favors forestry and has large metallic mineral deposits, such as copper, gold or lead, and non-metallic ones, such as limestone, gypsum and calcium..
The original peoples of this area of the country are:
It is the largest and most organized native population in the country. The Mapuches originally emigrated from Neuquén in Argentina to this part of Chilean territory and in the 16th century they had a population of more than a million inhabitants..
Currently 30% of this town lives in the Metropolitan Region and 8% in the Biobío, in addition to other areas of the country.
The word picunche means "people of the north" in the native language and constitutes a branch of the Mapuches who inhabited the territory between the Aconcagua and Itata rivers. In the area where they lived, the water was abundant and the climate was warm..
Some subgroups of this town were linked with the Incas. In the 19th century they were decimated until their extinction as a pure indigenous people.
Formerly it was a town made up of hunters and gatherers who moved through the territories where the araucarias grew, whose seeds (pehuén or piñón) were one of the basic foods of their diet due to their high nutritional value..
This mountain town that still inhabits this area of Chile and the southwestern region of Argentina, also belongs to the Mapuche culture..
It is another branch of the Mapuches that extended to the island of Chiloé and Argentina. This town was part of the indigenous army that faced the Spanish during the conquest and caused the Curalaba Disaster.
The word puelche means eastern people. This town belonged to the orpid ethnic group that inhabited this area of Chile and the eastern part of the Andes mountain range on the Argentine side..
It was a hunter and gatherer people that lived in huts made with guanaco skins with which they also made their dresses and shoes..
It was a gathering and hunting people that inhabited the Andes Mountains from Santiago to Chillán. They fed on carob and molle seeds, and had very particular customs, such as the practice of female infanticide, the abduction of women and the theft of food..
The economy of the central zone is highly diversified and is based on the mining and quarrying industry, agriculture, forestry, fishing and manufacturing..
The export activity in this area is facilitated because the three main sea ports of the country are located here. These are the ports of Valparaíso and San Antonio -which are the two largest and most important- and Talcahuano / San Vicente.
These ports not only have a greater cargo transfer, but also passenger mobilization, as is the case of the port - terminal of Valparaíso. There are also other smaller ports in Coronel, Quintero and Penco / Lirquén.
The central zone is a great producer of copper, lead, gold, silver and limestone for the manufacture of cement. Other non-metallic minerals such as gypsum, coal and calcium are also mined and processed.
However, the largest production of the mining sector in this area and throughout the country is concentrated in the exploitation of copper..
One of the most important copper exploitations is located in the O'Higgins region and in the Biobío region the exploitation of coal, clays, quartz and garnet.
The agricultural sector in the area is highly developed and is mainly concentrated in cereal crops (wheat and corn), legumes, vegetables and fruit trees for domestic consumption and export (grapes, apples, pears, almonds, peaches and plums).
Towards the southernmost areas, rice, legumes, wheat, potatoes, beets and rape are produced. The particular soil and climate conditions of the area greatly benefit fruit production.
The viticultural production in the vineyards of the area stands out, whose production is of vital importance for the sustainability of its regions, being among the most important in the country.
Logging is another of the important economic components of this area. One of the most widely cultivated species is the radiata pine, which is processed at the Constitución pulp mill in the Maule region..
The agricultural sector is basically composed of the raising of pigs, cattle and sheep in the Biobío and Maule regions, for the production of meat, milk and leather. Although poultry farming has also reached very important production levels in this area.
In the same way, the agribusiness has benefited from the productive capacity of this area for the production of various foods and dairy products..
Among the typical foods of the central zone of Chile are:
It is one of the most typical and popular dishes in this area and throughout the country. It consists of a baked pasta made from corn (sweet corn) and pine, a vegetable mince.
It is traditionally prepared in a clay or clay pot. Boiled eggs, olives and diced chicken are added to this mixture..
The term is of Quechua origin and means roast beef, However, it is a very popular stew also made from jerky and squash. The charquicán is prepared with potatoes, shelled corn, pumpkin, potatoes, beef and chopped onion.
After being cooked for a few minutes, boiling water is added until it is done cooking.
It is a dish typical of the entire Andes Mountains. It is made with tender and chopped or ground corn (corn). It is seasoned with onions, salt or sugar, chili, etc..
Then, this dough is wrapped in the same corn husks and cooked for another 20 or 30 minutes. The buns are served with cheese, beef or chicken.
It is a very traditional kind of boil throughout the central Chilean coastline, which serves to regain strength and stabilize the stomach..
It is made with red or golden eel, clams and mussels, and is garnished with onion, carrot, potatoes, salt and coriander.
It is perhaps the most popular and internationally known dish in Chile and consists of a baked or fried bun made with wheat flour, eggs and milk..
It is filled with pine, a meat stew made with eggs, capers, chili peppers, olives, salt and pepper..
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