Valdivia, Chile

Capital City

Valdivia may seem like a picturesque riverside getaway, but the reality is a city still recovering from a devastating 1960 earthquake that left large swaths permanently flooded. With a population of 150,048, this former German colony boasts a scenic setting but grapples with bureaucratic headaches - the city resented being relegated under the administration of Puerto Montt after the disaster. While Valdivia attracts tourists for its cultural events and natural beauty, the combination of natural disaster, political fallout, and persistent rain may make this southern Chilean city a better fit for nature lovers than urban dwellers.