La Dehesa facts for kids
La Dehesa is a modern suburban neighborhood in the Lo Barnechea area of Santiago, Chile. It is located in a green valley near the amazing Andes mountains, in the northeast part of Santiago. The neighborhood is north of the Mapocho River. La Dehesa is known as one of Chile's most well-off neighborhoods. It shares borders with Las Condes to the south and Vitacura to the west.
Contents
History of La Dehesa
Early Settlers and Ancient Times
Scientists believe the first people to live in this area were nomadic hunter-gatherers. They traveled around looking for animals like guanacos to hunt. These early groups arrived in the Santiago area around 10,000 BC.
Around 800 BC, people started to settle down along the Mapocho River. This was the first time people lived in one place permanently in this area. They began to build farming communities and even started to tame animals like the lamini, which are related to llamas.
Later, powerful groups like the Inca empire controlled the area. Then, in the 1600s, the Spanish took over. The Spanish ruled until the early 1800s. In 1810, Bernardo O'Higgins helped Chile win its independence from Spain.
Amazing Discoveries in La Dehesa
In 1964, important archaeological discoveries were made in La Dehesa. Archaeologists found several interesting items. Some of the most important finds included five tembetás, which are small ornaments worn in the lip. They also found a special type of Aconcagua salmon and a broken pipe from the Mapuche people.
During construction projects, more ancient sites were found. These sites showed signs of the Bato Tradition, which means native people lived here a very long time ago. These discoveries help us understand the rich history of the area.
Understanding the Name
The area used to be called Huayco. This is an Inca word that means "place of serious floods." This name was very fitting because in 1982, there was a big flood that covered many coastal towns. The name reminds us of the natural challenges the area has faced throughout history.
Well-Known People from La Dehesa
Many famous people have lived in La Dehesa. Here are a few:
- Mario Kreutzberger
- Rafael Araneda
- Raquel Argandoña
- Karen Doggenweiler
- Marco Enríquez-Ominami
- Paulina Nin de Cardona
- Augusto Pinochet
- Marcela Vacarezza
- Jorge Valdivia
See also
In Spanish: La Dehesa para niños
