The area

The Maule Valley has a surface area of 30,301.7 km² and covers the Provinces of Talca, Linares and Cauquenes, which in turn are divided by the Claro, Loncomilla and Tutuven Valleys. The population of the area stands at 836,141.

Weather

This generous valley, which runs parallel to the Andes and Coastal Mountain Ranges, features very marked day and night-time temperature differences, which run to an annual average of 14°C. The rain falls mostly in winter and reaches an annual average of around 700 mm. Summer in the Maule Valley, in contrast, is quite dry and daytime summer temperatures fluctuate around 30°. These are the typical characteristics of a subhumid Mediterranean climate, which is partially influenced by the Pacific anticyclone, which is responsible for the marked seasonal pattern of the region's rainfall.

The soil

The following types of soil are found in the region:

• Alluvial soils.
• Fine, low-lying soils.
• Soils derived from conglomerates, breccia and tufa.
• Soils derived from volcanic ash.
• Granitoid soils.

Most of the area's soils are loam to loamy clay, while the coastal soils are granitoid and less fertile. In general, the soil is good and, in combination with the climatic conditions, offers ideal conditions for wine-growing.

Flora and fauna

The coastal area features thick shrubbery with species such as boldo, caraguata, litre, brecillo, puyas and dicas. The interior is mixed meadow and shrubland, with hawthorn, oak, maqui, heather, cinnamon trees, myrtle, peumo and cypress or mountain cedar. The fauna of the area includes birds such as the black-necked swan, penguins and marsh crows. The sea abounds with mackerel, cod, conger eel and sea bass. Towards the interior, the visitor may see coruros, foxes, rabbits, mice and birds such as chimangos, herons, turcas, red-breasted singing birds, small falcons, crown sparrows, several varieties of finches, including goldfinches, and chililus. The mountainous area is home to owls, eagles, condors, pumas and huanacos.

Economy

Agriculture is the staple activity in this area, with rice fields in the floodable areas and beet and oleaginous plants in the drier zones, as well as apples, grapes, wheat and other cereals. The paper and cellulose industry also play an important role in the regional economy, as does the hydroelectric energy supplied by the River Maule. And of course, half of Chile's export wine is grown and produced in this region.