Straddling the banks of the Río Claro, Talca is not only Maule's most important industrial center; it is also one of the most appealing towns in the Central Valley. It was founded in 1692 and intelligently designed on a regimented grid pattern divided into quadrants—poniente means west and oriente east; sur means south and norte north—centered around the pretty Plaza de Armas. Be sure to take some time to check out its native and exotic trees.