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Home > Travel South America > South America Destinations > La Serena
La Serena
South America is the fourth largest continent of the Western Hemisphere. It is divided politically into 12 independent countries namely Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela and the overseas department of French Guiana. The continent extends to 7,640 kilometers from Punta Gallinas, Colombia, in the north to Cape Horn, Chile, in the south.
La Serena is the second oldest city in Chile, which is located around 500 kilometers north of Santiago. It has a population of 147,815 inhabitants as per the 2002 census and is one of the fastest-growing areas of Chile. It witnessed a population growth of 32.6 percent between 1992 and 2002. It was founded by Spaniard Captain, Juan Bohon on September 4, 1544. He did it with orders from Pedro de Valdivia to provide a sea link between Santiago and Lima. In 1549, the town was completely damaged by local Indians and again established in the same year by Captain Francisco de Aguirre in a safer location.
La Serena has preserved its historic architecture along with several beaches called as Avenida del Mar. It has helped the city to become an important tourist centre, attracting many foreigners from San Juan and Mendoza provinces. The major tourism season is in January, due to Santiago residents fleeing away from the February heat. Its traditional architecture includes a range of housing and public buildings, of late 19th-century vintage. They were built with wood, which was brought to Chile as counterweight in sailing vessels coming to Coquimbo.
La Serena is also known as the town of best geographical environment and has traced its origins back to prehistoric times. Today, one can also learn about its history, from its earliest times and can also enjoy its natural beauty concealed by the beautiful landscapes.
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