Chilean Central Valley
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The Central Valley (Valle Central de Chile) is the zone between the Chilean Coast Range and the Andes Mountains. The Central Valley extends from Santiago to the north to the Ofqui Isthmus in its widest definition, the geological one. Others consider the Bío-Bío River as it southern boundary due to historical reasons (see Arauco War) and others consider Puerto Montt as the southern limit, because further south most of the valley lies under the sea level.
[edit] Geography and Climate
Most of the Central valley is a fertile region and the agricultural heartland of Chile. The north part has a Mediterranean climate, with temperatures dropping and precipitation increasing in a regular pattern from north to south. Winters are mild and summers are usually moderately hot and dry.
Between the western foothills of the Andes and the eastern foothills of the Cordillera de la Costa lies a concave area known as the Depresión Intermedia or Valle Longitudinal (longitudinal valley). This valley, which has been filled with the byproducts of volcanic activity and erosion of the surrounding mountains, was sculpted into its smooth present state by glaciers, both eolian and hydrous. It runs across almost entirely across Chile, from Arica to Puerto Montt, where it falls into the sea at Reloncaví Sound.
The Depression is only interrupted in a small stretch between the south of the Atacama Region and northern Valparaíso, where the aforementioned foothills close in from both sides and become separated only by a few narrow river gorges called transverse valleys (valles transversales).
The annual mean temperatures in Santiago is 57° F (14° C) The temperate action of the ocean prevents temperatures from dropping drastically, and if snow falls in the area, it does not usually stay on the ground for more than a few hours.
In Santiago the annual rainfall is 13 inches and in Valparaíso, outside the valley in the coast at the same latitude, it amounts to 15 inches. Along the Central Valley rainfall increases gradually southward until it reaches 52 inches in Concepción.
[edit] Demography and Economy
Historically, the northern Central valley (Bio-Bio to Santiago) has been the heartland of the country with the highest concentration of population. Its economy is characterized by its diversity and the strongest pillars lie in the use of natural resources, through the copper mining, logging, agriculture and wine producing, and manufacturing sector.
The main cities from north to south are: Santiago, Puente Alto, Rancagua, Curicó, Talca, Linares, Chillán, Los Ángeles, Temuco, Osorno and Puerto Montt
