Valdivia

Founded in 1552 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia at the confluence of several rivers in southern Chile, this riverside city built one of the most fortified defensive systems in the New World during the colonial era — a network of forts that still stands near the coast. German immigration in the mid-19th century left a lasting mark on the city's architecture, food, and brewing culture, earning it the nickname "Beer Capital of Chile." In 1960, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded, magnitude 9.5, struck here, permanently flooding surrounding farmland and creating the protected wetlands that now sit within the urban area. The centre has a walkable café and restaurant scene, and the rivers give the city a strong waterfront character.

• Population133,419
• Nearest water from center0.3 km
• Nearest mountain from center17.8 km