Matanzas, Chile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matanzas
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village
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Seashore at dusk in Matanzas
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Map of Matanzas in O'Higgins Region, continental Chile.
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 Matanzas, Chile
Location in Chile
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| Country |  Chile |
| Region |  O'Higgins |
| Province |  Cardenal Caro |
| Elevation | 10 to 100 metres m (32 to 328 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 590 |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (CLT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 |
Matanzas is a small village right by the ocean in Chile. It's famous for its beautiful beach! You can find it in the Navidad area, which is part of the O'Higgins Region.
Contents
Where is Matanzas?
Matanzas is in the northwest part of Cardenal Caro Province. This province is located within the O'Higgins Region. It is part of the commune of Navidad, Chile. Matanzas is about 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Santiago, the capital city of Chile. It is also 58 kilometers (36 miles) north of Pichilemu, another well-known coastal town.
A Glimpse into Matanzas' Past
Matanzas was once a very important harbor long ago. This was during the time when Spain was colonizing Chile. Some parts of the Spanish army even landed here to begin their journey into Chile's central areas. The area was also visited by pirates!
The name "Matanzas" means "slaughter" or "killing" in Spanish. This name comes from the old industry of hunting sea lions. People used to hunt sea lions here to get their oil and other useful products.
There are also some cool local stories about Matanzas. One story says that the famous English explorer, Sir Francis Drake, visited Matanzas and was welcomed by the people. Another tale talks about a Spanish ship, called a galleon, that supposedly sank off the coast of Matanzas.
Matanzas: A Fun Place to Visit
The beach at Matanzas is well-known for its soft, grey sand. It's also famous for being windy all year round! This makes it a perfect spot for exciting water sports like surfing, boogie boarding, stand up paddling, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.
Amazing Wildlife in Matanzas
Matanzas is also home to lots of interesting animals. There are two small islands nearby, called Lobos and Pajaros. These islands are special because many different kinds of birds build their nests there.
The famous English scientist Charles Darwin visited Matanzas in 1846. He studied the area and found 31 different species of animals! The area also has many types of molluscs, which are creatures like snails and clams. These molluscs were last studied in detail by a scientist named Philippi in 1887.
Services and Tourism
Matanzas has basic services for visitors and residents. You can find a school, hotels, and cabins to rent. There are also places where you can set up a camp.
Locally, people mostly work in farming and raising animals. However, Matanzas is becoming more and more popular as a place for tourists to visit. With the growth of places like the "Surazo" Hotel & Restaurant, many people from Chile, especially on weekends, come to enjoy this beautiful coastal village.
See also
In Spanish: Matanzas (Chile) para niños
