Considered the world’s largest archipelago, the Aysén Region was inhabited, probably for thousands of years, by two indigenous peoples: the Chonec people or Chonos (Indian people) and the Tehuelches or Patagones (a people of great height and large feet) who moved from the Pampas towards the coast, hunting huemul deer.

The large deposits of shells scattered along the Region’s coast bear testimony to this area’s indigenous inhabitants. Mixing with the Spaniards who subsequently arrived there and, particularly, with their customs explains their disappearance.

Given the Region’s history and the conditions that have determined its development, it can be said that sacrifice and perseverance are the hallmark of its inhabitants.

The first inhabitants of Coyhaique, the regional capital, descended from European settlers and Chileans from the Chiloé Archipelago in the Los Lagos Region to the north and from the Biobío, Araucanía and Los Lagos Regions, who arrived there after a long period in neighbouring Argentina. Its current population comprises the descendants of these early settlers, others who arrived subsequently (principally government employees) and stayed on, and a floating population of government employees.