In Aymara “Lagoon of Parinas or Flamingos”.
This small settlement in the Andean Altiplano belongs to the municipality of Putre, located in the 15. Region Arica and Parinacota. It is known for the bofedal (typical wetland) that surrounds the village.
Parinacota is a National Monument and was declared “Zona Tipica” (“typical zone”, Chilean classification of unique and outstanding rural or urban areas). Only 149 people live in the village. It is located at 4.392m above sea level, about 181km from Arica, 3km away from the international road between Arica and La Paz as well as 42km from Putre.
With exception of the houses that are still inhabited by the local farmers, most of the other houses remain empty throughout the year. The owners tend to visit only for religious festivities. The celebrations usually take place in the old church in the center of the village.
The region is dominated by a high altitude desert climate. Given the ubication of 4.400m above sea level, Parinacota has rather low temperatures during the year, fluctuating between -5 and 15°C.
The origin of the village dates back to pre-Hispanic times. In the 16th century, evangelic missionaries arrived along the route from Potosi to Arica, who constructed numerous temples. Apart from the church of Parinacota (which also was declared National Monument), the village has a school and about 50 houses.