Curico

Founded in 1743, Curicó means "black water" in Mapudungún, the native Mapuche language. Today this agroindustrial center is the provincial capital and the gateway to the Curicó wine valley. The Plaza de Armas is one of the most attractive in the Central Valley; it is a center of activity year-round but fills to capacity for the Fiesta de la Vendimia (Wine Harvest Festival) each March. Most of the wineries are south of the city and easily reached from the Pan-American Highway. Other points of interest are found toward the Andes or on the coast.