Araucanía (historic region) facts for kids
Araucanía (pronounced Ah-rah-oo-kah-NEE-ah) was the name the Spanish gave to a special part of Chile. This area was home to the Mapuche people, especially a group called the Moluche. Before the Spanish arrived, the Moluche lived between two important rivers: the Itata River and the Toltén River.
A Look at Araucanía's History
After a big uprising by the Moluche and Huilliche people in 1598, following a battle called the Battle of Curalaba, they managed to push the Spanish out of the lands south of the Bío Bío River. This event was part of a long conflict known as the Arauco War.
For many years after this, there was more fighting. Eventually, the Spanish officially recognized the borders of Araucanía. This historical region was understood to be the land between the Bío-Bío River and the Toltén River.
Today, this old region of Araucanía is split into two main parts. It covers the southern area of what is now the Biobío Region and also the Araucanía Region in southern Chile.
See also
In Spanish: Araucanía (región histórica) para niños
