Temuco is a city and commune located in southern Chile. It serves as the capital of both the Cautín Province and the Araucanía Region, situated approximately 670 kilometres south of the national capital, Santiago.
The city originated from a fort of the same name established in 1881 during Chile's invasion of Araucanía. It is positioned in the middle of the historic Araucanía region, which is recognized as a traditional land of the indigenous Mapuche people.