Editing Geography of Chile (section)

===South===
{{main|Zona Sur, Chile}}
[[File:Volcanosorno.jpg|thumb|left|Cattle grazing near the [[Llanquihue Lake]]. The [[Osorno (volcano)|Osorno Volcano]] is in the background]]Although many lakes can be found in the Andean and coastal regions of central Chile, the south (Sur de Chile) is definitely the country's most lacustrine area. Southern Chile stretches from below the [[Bío-Bío River]] at about 37° south latitude to Chacao channel at about 42° south latitude. In this lake district of Chile, the valley between the Andes and the coastal range is closer to sea level, and the hundreds of rivers that descend from the Andes form lakes, some quite large, as they reach the lower elevations. They drain into the ocean through other rivers, some of which (principally the [[Calle-Calle River]], which flows by the city of [[Valdivia (city)|Valdivia]]) are the only ones in the whole country that are navigable for any stretch. The Central Valley's southernmost portion is submerged in the ocean and forms the [[Gulf of Ancud]]. [[Chiloé Island|Isla de Chiloé]], with its rolling hills, is the last important elevation of the coastal range of mountains.

The south is one of the rainiest areas in the world. One of the wettest spots in the region is Valdivia, with an annual rainfall of {{convert|2535.4|mm|1|abbr=on}}. The summer months of January and February are the driest, with a monthly average precipitation of {{convert|67|mm|1|abbr=on}}. The winter months of June and July each produce on average a deluge of {{convert|410.6|mm|1|abbr=on}}. Temperatures in the area are moderate. In Valdivia, the two summer months average {{convert|16.7|C|F}}, whereas the winter months average {{convert|7.9|C|F}}.

The snow-covered Andes form a constant backdrop to vistas of clear blue or even turquoise waters, as at [[Todos los Santos Lake]]. The rivers that descend from the Andes rush over volcanic rocks, forming numerous white-water sections and waterfalls. The vegetation, including many ferns in the shady areas, is a lush green. Some sections still consist of old-growth forests, and in all seasons, but especially in the spring and summer, there are considerable amounts of wildflowers and flowering trees. The pastures in the northernmost section, around [[Osorno, Chile|Osorno]], are well suited for raising cattle; milk, cheese, and butter are important products of that area. All kinds of berries grow in the area, some of which are exported, and freshwater farming of various species of trout and salmon has developed, with cultivators taking advantage of the abundant supply of clear running water. The lumber industry is also important. A number of tourists, mainly Chileans and Argentines, visit the area during the summer.
[[Image:Chilean coastal blooms.JPG|thumb|As seen in this SeaWiFS image, Chile's southern coast is broken into many islands, [[Fjords and channels of Chile|fjords, channels]] and twisting peninsulas]]
Many of Chile's distinctive animal species have been decimated as they have been pushed farther and farther into the remaining wilderness areas by human occupation of the land. This is the case with the [[South Andean deer|huemul]], a large deer, and the Chilean [[condor]], the largest bird of its kind; both animals are on the national coat of arms. The remaining Chilean [[cougar]]s, which are bigger than the ones in California, have been driven to isolated national parks in the south by farmers who continue to hunt them because they kill sheep and goats.