Information of Chile

The first information about the existence of the chilean territory comes from the Hernando de Magallanes naval expedition, who first discovered the strait that carries his name, and then during 1520 sailed north, bordering the territory that actually belongs to the chilean republic. Later, Diego de Almagro, starts the first territory recognition trip, when he reaches the Copiapó valley. From there he continues towards the south till he enters hostile lands that belonged to native inhabitants, who showed their rejection to foreign presence, at the Ñuble river border.
With this new reality, the spanish reign replaced its discovering policy with a conquering movement, that started under the leadership of Pedro de Valdivia, who found Santiago city (1541), present capital of Chile.
Continues: The Conquest.

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