AYSEN, a territory of Southern Chile, created in 1928 from parts of the provinces of Chiloe and Llanquihue and of the terri tory of Magallanes. It includes most of the Chonos archipelago, the peninsula of Taitao, the large island of Wellington, with many smaller islands, and a strip of coast some 600m. in length by about 5om. in width. The area is but partially explored. It consists almost entirely of mountains, rising 2,000 to 6,000ft. abruptly from the sea and deeply dissected into valley's and fiords. The islands are the southward continuation of the Chilean coast range, here submerged until only the summits of the higher peaks stand above the sea. There is very little level land. This is a district of heavy, all-year rains and uniformly cool but not cold temperatures. Snow frequently falls in winter and lies perpetually upon the tops of many of the mountains. From these snow fields many rivers are formed and in some places glaciers descend to or nearly to the sea. Among the rivers the larger are the Aysen, from which the territory receives its name, the Rayas, the Cisnes, the Corcovado, the Huemules, the Palena, the Yelcho and the Baker. The presence of English names throughout the region is due to the part played by British navigators in exploring the coasts and islands. The most notable of the British expeditions to this area was that which Fitzroy and King (accompanied by the young naturalist, Charles Darwin) carried out in the "Adventure" and the "Beagle" (1826-36). The best description of this territory still to be found is in the narrative of that expedition. The whole of Aysen is densely forested up to the snow line. Most of the trees at a low level are broad-leaved evergreens, several varieties of beech predominating. Coniferous trees are also found. The tim ber has not been of great value to Chile until recent years, but there are now a number of saw-mills at work and lumbering is the leading industry. The district is sparsely inhabited. Un official estimates place the population at not over io,000. Most of these are Indians, other settlements consisting of small lum bering or fishing colonies. Aysen, the capital, on the river of the same name, is the largest town, though it has less than two thousand people.