Chiloé's Big Island is situated in X Region of Chile. It is an island that is a part of Chiloé's Archipelago. It has about 180 km in length from North to South and about 50 km in width in average. It is crossed from North to South by the Coast's mountain range, that receives the local name of Pichuen mountain range or San Pedro's in the North part and Pirulil's in the South part.

Tourist Destination X Región - Chile

Panoramic View 360, Caleta de Ancud

:: VR 360 ::

Panoramic View 360, Get Chiloé across Chacao's Canal.

Panoramic View 360, Nave Central de la Iglesia de Castro.

The area is characterized by its great maritime activity, by a strong religious presence manifested in churches and festivities, by its craftsmanship in fibers, wool and wood; by the palafittes (constructions supported by pillars on water), and especially by the charm and traditions of its inhabitants.

How to reach Chiloe...

The access to the island can be achieved through the route 5 by a ferry that can be taken in Pargua, that cross the Chacao Channel and that after 25 minutes of navigation arrives to the town with the same name.
A debate has been generated about the construction of the Bicentennial Bridge on Chacao's Channel (administrated since many years ago) joining the localities of Chacao and Pargua, which will be built in 2007 and it is projected to be inaugurated in 2012. The inhabitants of the Big Chiloe’s town are divided in relation to this topic.
The ones that are in opposition argue than with the bridge, Chiloé will stop being an island in the real sense, that the people that works in ferries will lose their jobs and  that the bridge will mean a loss of the traditional and natural resources of that area.
On the other hand, the ones that are in favor argue that the vehicular traffic is increasing, that in some years the use of ferries will be unsustainable and that the bridge will not mean a loss of traditions because the protection of the identity is a task of the Chiloé inhabitants itself, as well as of the education and the preservation of essential moral values.

Principal Localities:

• Ancud: City of 27.292 inhabitants.It dates from 1767, it was Chiloe's capital until 1982 and second more important city of the island.It is the residence of Ancud's Regional Museum, which conserves historical objects, crafts and representations of mythological.
• Castro: City port, with 29.148 inhabitants.Castro is the capital of Chiloé Province from 1982. It is Chile's third oldest city in continued existence. In it, the highlights are the palafittes (the only ones that remain in all the island), the Market and San Francisco Church,declared National Monument. Part of the National Park Chiloé is located in Castro'commune.
• Chonchi: 4.588 inhabitans. It is known as the “city of the three floors”; It is characterized  by its constructions made with cypress wood. Its origin dates of 1754. Its seaside promenade is very beautiful. The entrance to the National Chiloé Park and most part of its territory is located in the commune of Chonchi.
• Dalcahue: 4.933 inhabitants, It is a prosperous port town.Famous by its handcraft trade fair celebrated on Sunday morning where fabrics and baskets from neighbor localities can be acquired. It is an obliged step to cross the Quinchao's island.
• Queilén: 1.912 inhabitants, is a port placed at a long peninsula. The jesuítas resided in Queilén in the XVIIIth century, but the village could only emerge at the end of the XIX century. It is located at about half an hour from Chonchi.
• Quellón: 13.656 inhabitants; the third largest city of Chiloé. The city was founded in 1906 by a distillery company that declined in 1952. Its original name was Llauquil.
• Quemchi:Town of 1,665 inhabitants. The Quemchi's commune more relevant productive activities are the fishing and agriculture. It is the birthplace of one of the most important writers of Chile, Francisco Coloane.

Source: Wikipedia.org

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