Caucahue Island facts for kids
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Native name:
kawkawé, kawkagwé
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| Geography | |
| Location | Los Lagos Region |
| Coordinates | 42°8′42″S 73°24′17″W / 42.14500°S 73.40472°W |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Caucahue Channel, Pacific Ocean |
| Total islands | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 354 (2017) |
| Ethnic groups | Caucahue descendants, Mapuche people, Veliche people |
Caucahué is an island located in southern Chile. It is part of the Chiloé Province in the Los Lagos Region. The island sits in the Caucahué Channel, near the town of Quemchi.
In 2017, about 354 people lived on Caucahué Island. This number was lower than in 2001, when 638 people lived there. The island is important because it provides fresh farm and sea products to the nearby town of Quemchi.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Caucahué comes from the Mapudungun language. This is the language spoken by the Mapuche people. The name means "place of many seagulls." It combines the words káwka or kawkaw, which mean "big seagull," and we, meaning "place."
Who Lived Here Before?
Long ago, Caucahué Island was home to the Caucahue people. They were a group of people who traveled by canoe. They lived in the southernmost parts of Chile. The Caucahue people were hunter-gatherers. This means they found their food by hunting animals and gathering plants. They used the sea's resources a lot. They ate sea food, seaweed, and small animals they found on the island.
Life on the Island Today
Today, the people living on Caucahué Island still use the sea for their living. They also do a lot of farming. They sell their fresh seafood and farm products at the free market in Quemchi. This market is just across the channel on Chiloé Island.
The island is divided into four main areas. These areas are called Queler, Morro Lobos Bajo, Morro Lobos Alto, and Quinterquén. There are also four schools on the island. Each school has one teacher. The schools are "Escuela Queler," "Escuela Caucahué," "Escuela Morro Lobos," and "Escuela Quinterquén."
Getting Around
Caucahué Island is connected to the mainland through the town of Quemchi. A boat service runs every day from Quemchi to the island. You can also find private boats for the trip. The boat ride usually takes about 20 minutes.
Nature on Caucahué
The island's natural plant life is a type of forest called Valdivian temperate rain forest. This kind of forest is known for its many trees and plants. Caucahué has a mild climate. It rains often throughout the year, which helps the rainforest grow.
See also
In Spanish: Caucahué para niños
