Temuco is the capital of the Araucanía Region, Chile. The name comes from "temu", which, in the Mapudungun language means "temu water"; temu is a tree used by Mapuches for medicinal purposes. The city is located 670 km south of Santiago. Because it is near lake-based resort centers, it constitutes a hub for touristic excursions. Chilean poetry has deep roots in Temuco. Nobel Poets Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda both lived in Temuco. Mistral was the principal at the school where Neruda (Neftali Reyes) studied. The school is now named after Neruda.