Huerta del Maule facts for kids
Huerta del Maule (also called Huerta de Maule) is a small village, or caserío, in Chile. It's located in the Maule Region, near the town of San Javier, Chile. This quiet and charming place, surrounded by nature, is home to fewer than 300 people today. However, two centuries ago, it was a much more important and busy spot! Its location was key: it sat south of the Maule river and west of the Loncomilla River, right on the old, busy road that connected major cities like Santiago, Talca, and Concepción.
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A Look Back: History of Huerta del Maule
Huerta del Maule was officially started in 1754 with the name "San Antonio de la Florida." But people were living there even earlier, since the late 1600s! It began around a Franciscan Monastery, a place where monks lived. People also say that gold was found nearby, which encouraged more people to settle there.
During Chile's colonial times, many people in the Maule Region preferred living on their large farms, called haciendas, or in small villages. They didn't want to move to big cities. Huerta del Maule stayed alive and quite prosperous because of its farming and trading activities, just like other villages in the area.
Fun Facts: Traditions and Celebrations
One of the most special days in Huerta del Maule is October 4th. This is when they celebrate St. Francis of Assisi. It's a very popular religious festival led by the local bishop. Thousands of pilgrims (people who travel for religious reasons) and tourists come to the village every year to be part of this joyful event.
Where It Is: Geography of Huerta del Maule
Huerta del Maule is nestled in the low hills of the "Cordillera de la Costa" in Central Chile. It's west of the Loncomilla River and the Gupo hill, and southwest of the town of San Javier, Chile. The village sits at an altitude of about 496 meters (about 1,627 feet) above sea level.
Who Lives There: Population of Huerta del Maule
In 1992, a count showed that Huerta del Maule had 308 people living there. By 2002, this number had dropped to less than 270. The area around Huerta del Maule is not very crowded. Within about seven miles of the village, there are only around 2,000 people in total.
Weather Watch: Climate of Huerta del Maule
The weather in Huerta del Maule is mild. The average temperature is about 14.4 °C (or 57.92 °F). The village gets about 680 mm (about 26.8 inches) of rain each year. Most of this rain falls during the months of June, July, and August.
See also
In Spanish: Huerta de Maule para niños
