OSORNO

capital of Osorno province, Los Lagos region, southern Chile, lying at the junction of the Damas and Rahue rivers, 40 mi (64 km) inland from the Pacific coast. It was founded in 1553 under the name Santa Marina de Gaete. This settlement failed, but it was refounded, effectively, in 1558 by Garca Hurtado de Mendoza, who named it Ciudad de San Mateo de Osorno. The settlement came under attack by Araucanian Indians in 1599 and was devastated in 1602. After several unsuccessful attempts, it was repopulated in 1796 by order of Ambrosio O'Higgins (the father of Bernardo O'Higgins). Osorno's greatest growth followed the influx of German colonists, who began arriving in the mid-19th century and subsequently influenced the cultural life and architecture of the city. The opening of the SantiagoPuerto Montt railroad in 1895 alleviated Osorno's isolation. The city is also linked by road and ferry to San Carlos de Bariloche, in Argentina. Its industries include grain and lumber milling as well as milk and meat processing. Tourism is an added economic asset, for Osorno is a gateway to Chile's famed lake district. Pop. (1982 prelim.) 97,829.