Malalhue is a town () in the commune of Lanco within the Los RÃÂos Region of southern Chile. The economy of Malalhue is based on construction, agriculture, retail trade, and the production of wood and wood-based products. The town lies along the International Route 203-CH that connects Lanco with Panguipulli.
Malalhue is a town located in the commune of Lanco, within the Los RÃÂos Region of southern Chile. It is situated along the International Route 203-CH that connects Lanco with Panguipulli.
The etymology of the word Malalhue dates back to the Mapuche communities that formerly dominated the area, and means "enclosed place."
As of the 2017 census in Chile, Malalhue had a population of 3,061 people, showing an increase from 2,566 in 2002 and 2,092 in 1992. The town has experienced a steady population growth, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2% between 2002 and 2017. This growth happened due to the town's connection to a main road and its strategic location for medium-distance travel.
Malalhue covers an area of 1.548 kmò, resulting in a population density of approximately 1,977 people per square kilometer in 2017. In terms of gender distribution, the 2017 census recorded 1,463 males (47.8%) and 1,598 females (52.2%), indicating a slightly higher female population.
The economy of Malalhue is based on the population being employed in sectors such as construction, agriculture, retail trade, and the production of wood and wood-based products. Part of the wood production is the manufacturing of oriented strand boards at the Louisiana-Pacific manufacturing plant near the town.