Putagán, Chile facts for kids
Putagán is a small village in Chile, a country in South America. Its name comes from the mapudungun language, meaning "water stream." Putagán is located in the Maule Region, specifically in the Villa Alegre area of Linares Province. About 622 people live there. The village is around 112 meters (367 feet) above sea level. It's about 292 kilometers (182 miles) south of Chile's capital city, Santiago.
Contents
What Putagán Is Like
Putagán is a quiet village where many people work in farming. The land around Putagán is very good for growing different crops.
Farming and Economy
The main way people in Putagán make a living is through agriculture. They grow many things, including:
- Grapes for making wine
- Rice
- Corn
- Berries, which are often sent to countries in Europe
The Putagán River
The Putagán River flows just south of the village. This river also acts as a natural border between the areas of Villa Alegre and Linares.
A Look at Putagán's History
Putagán has a long history and is one of the oldest places settled by the Spanish in the Maule Region.
Early Spanish Settlements
Around the year 1580, a religious leader named Fray Diego de Medellín, who was the Bishop of Santiago de Chile, started two special places called "missions." These missions were south of the Maule River. A mission was like a religious community or settlement. Putagán was one of these two original missions. For over 170 years, these missions were under the care of the bishops in Santiago.
Religious Importance
Later, the church in Putagán, known as a "parish," was moved to Linares when that city was founded. Today, this parish is a very important church for the Linares Diocese. It is called "El Sagrario" and is based in the main church of the diocese, which is known as the Cathedral.
The Old Railway
From 1913 to 1954, Putagán was an important starting point for a special train line. This was a "narrow gauge" railway, meaning the tracks were closer together than usual. This train line went all the way to the city of Colbún.
See also
In Spanish: Putagán para niños
