Since the century XVI were constructed military forts in the area. In century XVIII, the Governor of Chile, José Manso de Velasco, ordered the 20 of March of 1739 the foundation of Los Angeles Village (Villa de Los Angeles). Sergeant major Pedro de Córdova y Figueroa was ordered the task and together with his master builders, the layout of the streets began the 26 of May of that year, the day of anniversary of the commune.

Capital of called territories "of the High Border" for the conquering Spaniards, had a military, religious character, of social encounter and mixture culture. During decades, it struggled between the poverty and the abandonment, but the later cattle agricultural peak of the zone took step to its consolidation, at the end of century XIX. Century XX saw it transform itself into a city, whose influence reaches to the entire province. The communal peak was increased since the decade of the 20, with the construction of a series of irrigated land channels. Therefore, it took place a productive peak in the farming scope. By the end of century XX began a new phase of development, with the pinnackle of agro industry, the agriculture of export and the drive of the forest area. At the present time, Los Angeles continues consolidating as a mighty agricultural and forest provincial capital, as city of services of all type.

Its more outstanding personage is the Liberator Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme, who besides to administer the property of the Quarries (Hacienda Las Canteras), inherited of his father Ambrosio O’Higgins, in the proximity of Los Angeles , was outstanding in 1810 as the first Mayor of the Republican era of this villa. The 10 of January of 1811 was chosen by acclaim as Deputy of the Laja to the First National Congress (Primer Congreso Nacional). From that position impelled a series of advances for this zone. The young O’Higgins created a Regiment of Military Services, and with it, being O’Higgins his second commander, he started off from here toward the north, where he participated in the War of National Independence (Guerra de la Independencia Nacional).

Historically, the city of Los Angeles has based its economy on agriculture and the cattle ranch, obtaining its growth and development since the middle of century XX, century in which two hydroelectric power stations of importance were constructed in their neighborhoods.

In Los Angeles , you will be able to visit the Museum of the High Border (El Museo de la Alta Frontera), with a collection of araucana silver collection, weapons of the colonial and republican time, textile pehuenches, religious and popular images and testimonies of the Father of the country. You can make visits from Mondays through Fridays, 8 to 13 and 14:30 to 20; Saturdays from 8 to 13 and from 17 to 20 hours; and Sundays from 10 to 13 and from 17 to 20 hours. The entrance is released.

In the city of Los Angeles , it is recommendable to visit the Church of the Perpetual Aid (Iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro), of Romanesque style, has three naves and a colonial cloister of the 1800 with a patio of camellias. The church offers masses from Mondays to Saturdays at 19:30 hours; festive and Sundays at 8:30, 11:30 and 19:30 hours.

You will be able to visit the Church the German Grammar School of the Divine Verb (Iglesia del Liceo Alemán del Verbo Divino). It offers masses from December to March, Sundays at 12 hours; the rest of the year, Saturdays at 19 and Sundays at 12 hours.

Tourism near Los Angeles

The tourist use of the commune of Los Angeles (comuna de Los Angeles) has occurred considering the natural and physical conditions of the territory. This ground use presents specially a minimum part of the communal surface.

Nevertheless, some tourist centers emphasize extra regionally - as it is the case of the Jump of the Laja (Salto del Laja), located in the North access of the commune of Los Angeles, whose importance has contributed to the formation of a populated center in constant growth.

Other tourist sites of the commune of Los Angeles are: Resort of the Rarinco River (Balneario del Rio Rarinco), Resort of the Huaqui River (Balneario del Rio Huaqui) and development of the sport fishing in the Bio-Bio, in the section between San Carlos of Purén to Birth (San Carlos de Purén a Nacimiento). Coincide that in the locality of San Carlos of Purén, there is a site of historical importance, corresponding to a fort, which is part of the chain of forts located in the shore of the river Bio-Bio, as a line of defense against the attack of the Indians in the days of the war of the Araucanía.

Laja Falls

The beautiful Laja Falls (Salto del Laja) that is located 57 miles of Los Angeles has an attractive form of arc and from high altitude the waters from the Laja river fall to a deep rocky tube, hole by waters. From the highway bridge, you will have a splendid view. In order to approach by the North side, you have to pass through the Tourist Complex Los Manantiales del Salto del Laja (Complejo Turístico Los Manantiales del Salto del Laja), that has natural swimming pools, cabins and camping, from where is acceded to the high part of the jump. By the South shore, approach crossing the Hotel and Hostel Saltos del Laja, that has natural swimming pools, cabins and camping, from where is acceded to the high part of the jump. By the South shore, approach crossing the Hotel and Hostel Salto del Laja, which has a swimming pool, a restaurant and a park at the side of the cascade.

Around the bridge have proliferated the informal commerce, which doesn’t contribute to contemplate the extraordinary natural beauty.

Because of being half a way between Santiago and Port Montt (Puerto Montt), in the area of the Laja Falls (Salto del Laja), it has been created an important center of hotels and camping places.

The main activities in the tourist area of Jump of the Laja are: Crafts, fishing, picnic, excursion, observation of Flora and Fauna, skiing, national park, hydroelectric power stations, hill-walking.

Fort San Carlos of Purén

The attractive Fort San Carlos of Purén was declared National Monument in 1975. This is located in a promontory of 164 feet of height from where the valley of Purén has a view. It dates since 1869. Its construction was decided between mapuches chiefs and the head of the pacification troops. It has approximately a surface of 1.553 miles. It has a fence in its entire contour, a footbridge and two towers of observation in each corner. It is the only fort reconstructed in the region. There is a Mapuche archaeological sample here.

Quinchamalí

Quinchamalí is a small village that extends throughout a parallel street at the way. Their craftsmen make figures of little pigs and small guitars, in black stoneware, drawn with white lines. There are many positions of sale. You can visit the house of some craftsmen to see how they create the figures by hand, without winch. Later, goes on the process of baking in a homemade furnace and the smoking with cow dung.

Ñipas

Ñipas is a town of around 1,500 inhabitants, seat of the Municipality of Ranquil (Municipio de Ranquil), ready towards the Itata River (Rio Itata) and surrounded by willows. In this location was born the sculptor Virginio Arias 1855. Near the town, through the Rafael way, the forestry with pine will be moving out the roller vineyards that, since the Colonial time, gave fame to these lands. Before they disappear, observe the vineyards that grow level with the ground in slopes or on backs in the valley. They are of a sort called "Country", brought by the conquerors, that produces a very sweet grape and of heavy peel.

San Ignacio

Located in mile 32 from Ñipas, San Ignacio is a village conformed of one street, surrounded by houses with runners, large warehouses and employers. Until mile 34, the vineyards predominate. It begins there the Caracol Hill that raises 1.8 mile bordered by native forest until a plateau covered with pines.

Urrejola House

The Urrejola House (Casa Urrejola) is a beautiful large house of running roofs with roofing tiles around a patio, in which there is a gigantic oak.

Rafael

Rafael is a village surrounded of sawmills and forests of pine, that counts on an attractive and comfortable camping.

Hacienda Canteras

It was there the property that received as land of favor the Brigadier Ambrosio O’Higgins, member of the Army of the Border. From here, five thousands heads of cattle were leaded to Osorno in 1792, to support the re-found of the city. The property was inherited by Bernardo O’Higgins that organized a contingent of renters that participated in the liberation of Chile. In the place, an aged tree of chestnut exists that was planted by the Liberator himself. Further, large pine forests replace the cultivations. The valley narrows and begins to see strange rocky blocks: they are lava tongues, solidified in capricious forms. The ground becomes arid and stony, covering itself with bushes. It appears the cypresses of Mountain range, a native conifer of high altitude.

Antuco

The locality of Antuco is a town of around 2 thousand inhabitants, and it is located in the margins of the valley, on the foot of the hill Viewpoint (Cerro Mirador). It was founded in 1874 to protect the mountain range step. In its seat there is an arc that sailed in the Lagoon of the Laja (Laguna del Laja). In the place, you will find simple lodgings.

Ruins of the Ballenar Fort

You will be able to enter the ruins of the Ballenar Fort (Ruinas del Fuerte Ballenar) by car, the construction is destroyed, and it only remains its platform. Located strategically on the narrow valley, it was founded by Ambrosio O’Higgins in 1788 to defend the mountain range step.

Hydroelectric complex of the Laja (Complejo Hidroeléctrico del Laja)

The Complex is constituted by the Fan (El Abanico) (1948) that takes waters of the river the Bull (Rio El Toro) (1973), underground power station, with its bocatoma to the bottom of the lagoon; and Antuco (1981), also underground, that receives waters of the Fan (El Abanico) and the Bull (Toro). This complex feeds the powerful industry on the Eighth Region. Visits are not admitted, but it is possible to approach it in the footpath on your way of the return trip.

Capital of called territories "of the High Border" for the conquering Spaniards, had a military, religious character, of social encounter and mixture culture. During decades, it struggled between the poverty and the abandonment, but the later cattle agricultural peak of the zone took step to its consolidation, at the end of century XIX. Century XX saw it transform itself into a city, whose influence reaches to the entire province. The communal peak was increased since the decade of the 20, with the construction of a series of irrigated land channels. Therefore, it took place a productive peak in the farming scope. By the end of century XX began a new phase of development, with the pinnackle of agro industry, the agriculture of export and the drive of the forest area. At the present time, Los Angeles continues consolidating as a mighty agricultural and forest provincial capital, as city of services of all type.

Its more outstanding personage is the Liberator Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme, who besides to administer the property of the Quarries (Hacienda Las Canteras), inherited of his father Ambrosio O’Higgins, in the proximity of Los Angeles , was outstanding in 1810 as the first Mayor of the Republican era of this villa. The 10 of January of 1811 was chosen by acclaim as Deputy of the Laja to the First National Congress (Primer Congreso Nacional). From that position impelled a series of advances for this zone. The young O’Higgins created a Regiment of Military Services, and with it, being O’Higgins his second commander, he started off from here toward the north, where he participated in the War of National Independence (Guerra de la Independencia Nacional).

Historically, the city of Los Angeles has based its economy on agriculture and the cattle ranch, obtaining its growth and development since the middle of century XX, century in which two hydroelectric power stations of importance were constructed in their neighborhoods.

In Los Angeles , you will be able to visit the Museum of the High Border (El Museo de la Alta Frontera), with a collection of araucana silver collection, weapons of the colonial and republican time, textile pehuenches, religious and popular images and testimonies of the Father of the country. You can make visits from Mondays through Fridays, 8 to 13 and 14:30 to 20; Saturdays from 8 to 13 and from 17 to 20 hours; and Sundays from 10 to 13 and from 17 to 20 hours. The entrance is released.

In the city of Los Angeles , it is recommendable to visit the Church of the Perpetual Aid (Iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro), of Romanesque style, has three naves and a colonial cloister of the 1800 with a patio of camellias. The church offers masses from Mondays to Saturdays at 19:30 hours; festive and Sundays at 8:30, 11:30 and 19:30 hours.

You will be able to visit the Church the German Grammar School of the Divine Verb (Iglesia del Liceo Alemán del Verbo Divino). It offers masses from December to March, Sundays at 12 hours; the rest of the year, Saturdays at 19 and Sundays at 12 hours.

Tourism near Los Angeles

The tourist use of the commune of Los Angeles (comuna de Los Angeles) has occurred considering the natural and physical conditions of the territory. This ground use presents specially a minimum part of the communal surface.

Nevertheless, some tourist centers emphasize extra regionally - as it is the case of the Jump of the Laja (Salto del Laja), located in the North access of the commune of Los Angeles, whose importance has contributed to the formation of a populated center in constant growth.

Other tourist sites of the commune of Los Angeles are: Resort of the Rarinco River (Balneario del Rio Rarinco), Resort of the Huaqui River (Balneario del Rio Huaqui) and development of the sport fishing in the Bio-Bio, in the section between San Carlos of Purén to Birth (San Carlos de Purén a Nacimiento). Coincide that in the locality of San Carlos of Purén, there is a site of historical importance, corresponding to a fort, which is part of the chain of forts located in the shore of the river Bio-Bio, as a line of defense against the attack of the Indians in the days of the war of the Araucanía.

Laja Falls

The beautiful Laja Falls (Salto del Laja) that is located 57 miles of Los Angeles has an attractive form of arc and from high altitude the waters from the Laja river fall to a deep rocky tube, hole by waters. From the highway bridge, you will have a splendid view. In order to approach by the North side, you have to pass through the Tourist Complex Los Manantiales del Salto del Laja (Complejo Turístico Los Manantiales del Salto del Laja), that has natural swimming pools, cabins and camping, from where is acceded to the high part of the jump. By the South shore, approach crossing the Hotel and Hostel Saltos del Laja, that has natural swimming pools, cabins and camping, from where is acceded to the high part of the jump. By the South shore, approach crossing the Hotel and Hostel Salto del Laja, which has a swimming pool, a restaurant and a park at the side of the cascade.

Around the bridge have proliferated the informal commerce, which doesn’t contribute to contemplate the extraordinary natural beauty.

Because of being half a way between Santiago and Port Montt (Puerto Montt), in the area of the Laja Falls (Salto del Laja), it has been created an important center of hotels and camping places.

The main activities in the tourist area of Jump of the Laja are: Crafts, fishing, picnic, excursion, observation of Flora and Fauna, skiing, national park, hydroelectric power stations, hill-walking.

Fort San Carlos of Purén

The attractive Fort San Carlos of Purén was declared National Monument in 1975. This is located in a promontory of 164 feet of height from where the valley of Purén has a view. It dates since 1869. Its construction was decided between mapuches chiefs and the head of the pacification troops. It has approximately a surface of 1.553 miles. It has a fence in its entire contour, a footbridge and two towers of observation in each corner. It is the only fort reconstructed in the region. There is a Mapuche archaeological sample here.

Quinchamalí

Quinchamalí is a small village that extends throughout a parallel street at the way. Their craftsmen make figures of little pigs and small guitars, in black stoneware, drawn with white lines. There are many positions of sale. You can visit the house of some craftsmen to see how they create the figures by hand, without winch. Later, goes on the process of baking in a homemade furnace and the smoking with cow dung.

Ñipas

Ñipas is a town of around 1,500 inhabitants, seat of the Municipality of Ranquil (Municipio de Ranquil), ready towards the Itata River (Rio Itata) and surrounded by willows. In this location was born the sculptor Virginio Arias 1855. Near the town, through the Rafael way, the forestry with pine will be moving out the roller vineyards that, since the Colonial time, gave fame to these lands. Before they disappear, observe the vineyards that grow level with the ground in slopes or on backs in the valley. They are of a sort called "Country", brought by the conquerors, that produces a very sweet grape and of heavy peel.

San Ignacio

Located in mile 32 from Ñipas, San Ignacio is a village conformed of one street, surrounded by houses with runners, large warehouses and employers. Until mile 34, the vineyards predominate. It begins there the Caracol Hill that raises 1.8 mile bordered by native forest until a plateau covered with pines.

Urrejola House

The Urrejola House (Casa Urrejola) is a beautiful large house of running roofs with roofing tiles around a patio, in which there is a gigantic oak.

Rafael

Rafael is a village surrounded of sawmills and forests of pine, that counts on an attractive and comfortable camping.

Hacienda Canteras

It was there the property that received as land of favor the Brigadier Ambrosio O’Higgins, member of the Army of the Border. From here, five thousands heads of cattle were leaded to Osorno in 1792, to support the re-found of the city. The property was inherited by Bernardo O’Higgins that organized a contingent of renters that participated in the liberation of Chile. In the place, an aged tree of chestnut exists that was planted by the Liberator himself. Further, large pine forests replace the cultivations. The valley narrows and begins to see strange rocky blocks: they are lava tongues, solidified in capricious forms. The ground becomes arid and stony, covering itself with bushes. It appears the cypresses of Mountain range, a native conifer of high altitude.

Antuco

The locality of Antuco is a town of around 2 thousand inhabitants, and it is located in the margins of the valley, on the foot of the hill Viewpoint (Cerro Mirador). It was founded in 1874 to protect the mountain range step. In its seat there is an arc that sailed in the Lagoon of the Laja (Laguna del Laja). In the place, you will find simple lodgings.

Ruins of the Ballenar Fort

You will be able to enter the ruins of the Ballenar Fort (Ruinas del Fuerte Ballenar) by car, the construction is destroyed, and it only remains its platform. Located strategically on the narrow valley, it was founded by Ambrosio O’Higgins in 1788 to defend the mountain range step.

Hydroelectric complex of the Laja (Complejo Hidroeléctrico del Laja)

The Complex is constituted by the Fan (El Abanico) (1948) that takes waters of the river the Bull (Rio El Toro) (1973), underground power station, with its bocatoma to the bottom of the lagoon; and Antuco (1981), also underground, that receives waters of the Fan (El Abanico) and the Bull (Toro). This complex feeds the powerful industry on the Eighth Region. Visits are not admitted, but it is possible to approach it in the footpath on your way of the return trip.