Facts About Puerto Montt
- Puerto Montt is situated in the southern part of Chile, in the Los Lagos Region, founded on 12 February 1853
- Several volcanoes, including Osorno and Calbuco, surround Puerto Montt.
- The population of Puerto Montt has a mix of cultures, influenced by its German and Chilean indigenous heritage.
- Puerto Montt serves as the entrance to the Chiloé Archipelago and Chiloé Island via the Chacao Channel and numerous smaller islands within Chile’s inland Sea of Chiloé.
- The city’s economic foundation rests on agriculture, livestock, and forestry within the surrounding islands, while fishing and salmon aquaculture thrive in the fjords and the nearby Pacific Ocean.
- Puerto Montt is often considered the gateway to Chilean Patagonia, a region known for its stunning landscapes, glaciers, and unique wildlife.
- Puerto Montt is home to various educational institutions, such as the University of Los Lagos, and several campuses; Universidad Austral de Chile; Universidad San Sebastián and Universidad Santo Tomás, which plays a vital role in fostering intellectual and academic growth in the region.
- Puerto Montt stands on Mapuche territory, yet human settlement in this area predates that of nearly anywhere else in the entire Americas.
- Puerto Montt is named after Manuel Montt, a prominent Chilean political figure who served as the President of Chile from 1851 to 1861. He played a significant role in shaping the country’s political and educational systems during a critical period.
- The city serves as the endpoint for both the Pan-American Highway and the primary north-south railroad, maritime routes through the archipelagoes extend southward to Punta Arenas.
