COIHAIQUE

city, capital of Aisn Region in southern archipelagic Chile, 50 mi (80 km) inland of Puerto Aisn and 25 mi (40 km) west of the Argentine border. Founded in 1912 by a small group of German colonists, it is situated among grassy steppes between the Coihaique and Simpson rivers, in a densely forested and extremely wet coastal region of Patagonian Chile (rainfall reaches 58 in. [1,485 mm] annually). Although some wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, and fruit are produced in the immediate area, the city's recent growth is attributable to a flourishing pastoral industry, primarily cattle and sheep. Established as the regional capital in 1974, the city was in the early 1980s the largest of the region and the economic centre, providing commercial and financial services, and supporting light industry. It is linked by road to Puerto Montt, Quelln, and Puerto Chacabuco. Pop. (1982 prelim.) 31,167.