Chiloé

With an area of 8,394 km², Chiloé Island is the second largest island in Chile, after the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, and the fifth largest in South America.


In part because of its physical isolation from the rest of Chile, Chiloé has a very special architecture and local culture. During the colonization of Patagonia and southern Chile in the 19th century cultural elements of Chiloé spread to that zones as many chilotes migrated and settled there.


Chiloé have a rich folklore with many mythological animals and spirits. Chilota mythology is based on a mixture of indigenous religions  that live in the Archipelago of Chiloé.


Chilotan architecture is a unique architectural style that is mainly restricted to Chiloe Island and nearby areas. In part because of its physical isolation from the rest of Chile, and access to different materials, Chiloé has a very special architecture that differs most greatly from the typical Spanish colonial architecture.