File number: chlb0105

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Chile:  the Mapuche hero Lautaro. The Incas and the Spaniards both conquered Chile in the 15th and 16th century respectively, but neither army got further south than the River Bio Bio. Both were repelled by the fierce Mapuches. The Spaniards led by Pedro de Valdivia, the conquistador who founded Santiago and became governor of the new colony, were defeated at Tucapel in 1553, and Valdivia was killed by the famous Mapuche leader, Lautaro, pictured here.