Las Animas, Chile facts for kids
Las Ánimas is a busy neighborhood in the northern part of Valdivia, a city in Chile. It has both factories and homes.
You can get to Las Ánimas from the north using route T-202 and the Santa Elvira Bridge. From the south, you can cross the Calle-Calle Bridge. It's also connected to Teja Island by the Cau-Cau Bridge.
Contents
History of Las Ánimas
Early Days and Founding
The story of Las Ánimas began when the city of Valdivia was founded in 1552. The Spanish explorer Pedro de Valdivia crossed through this area to reach the spot where Valdivia now stands.
A Fort and Its Story
Around 1645, after Valdivia was re-established, Spanish soldiers built a fort in an area called "Los Castaños." This fort was meant to protect them from attacks by the local people. However, the fort was destroyed on December 25 of that same year.
The name "Las Ánimas" means "The Souls." People say it refers to the souls of the Spanish soldiers who died when the fort was destroyed.
Growth and Challenges
In the early 1820s, Las Ánimas started to change. It became a place for farming and factories. This growth continued during the time of the German colonization in the region.
However, everything changed suddenly with the powerful Valdivia earthquake in 1960. This huge earthquake destroyed many factories, homes, and even the main connection bridge, the Calle-Calle Bridge.
In 1996, because more and more people and cars were using the area, a second Calle-Calle Bridge was opened to help with traffic.
Important Places in Las Ánimas
This neighborhood has several important public services and institutions. Some of the main ones include:
- Centro de Salud Familiar Las Animas (CESFAM) – This is a family health center.
- «Agustín Edwards Ross» 2nd. Firefighter Company – A local fire station.
- Inacap Valdivia – A technical training college.
- Aeródromo Las Marías (Club Aéreo de Valdivia) – A small airport used by the Valdivia Flying Club.
Industries in Las Ánimas
Las Ánimas is an important industrial area. Some of the key industries here are:
- Asenav – This company builds and repairs ships.
- Infodema – This company works with wood and makes wood pulp.
See also
In Spanish: Las Ánimas (Chile) para niños
- Puente Calle-Calle
