The New Student's Reference Work/Araucania

Ar'auca'nia, the name formerly applied to a part of Chile which is now nearly all included in the provinces of Arauco and Valdivia, lying between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The Araucanians are very warlike, and are so tenacious of their liberty that they maintained their independence for several centuries. They have been much reduced as a nation, and now number only about 50,000. They are humane towards their enemies, and are said to be very hospitable. They are an agricultural people, and give much attention to stock-breeding. In 1861 a French adventurer, Antoine Tounens, was elected king of the Araucanians, but the Chilean government sent him back to France. The Araucanians finally recognized the rule of Chile in 1870.