educational path
(details)

Nature and Journey,
the story of Polish people abroad
6/7

Ignacy Domeyko
(1802-1889)

Ignacy Domeyko was a Polish geologist and explorer of South America. He was born into a family of the landed gentry and from an early age, he showed interest in science. He studied at the University of Vilnius. His participation in the November Uprising in 1831 forced him into exile.

After several years of wandering around Europe, during which he continued his education and developed his scientific interests, Domeyko reached South America, settling in Chile. There, he conducted research, taught at universities, and explored the Andes – the mountain range that stretches along Chile’s eastern border and dominates much of its landscape.

During his expeditions, Domeyko traveled to Araucanía – a historical region inhabited by a group of South American Indians, the Araucanians, also known as the Mapuche. Deeply moved by the plight of the indigenous population, the Polish scholar supported the Mapuche in their dialogue with the Chilean government. He wrote a book documenting their rich culture and traditions, which also included a geographical and ethnographic description of the Araucania region, along with observations on its flora and fauna.

Among the species he described was the Chilean araucaria (Araucaria araucana (Molina) K. Koch), a coniferous tree named after the indigenous tribe. This tree grows on the volcanic slopes of the Andes and is considered a “living fossil,” with its origins dating back to the Jurassic period some 225 million years ago. For the Mapuche, the araucaria was a sacred tree, and its seeds were regarded as a local delicacy.

Ignacy Domeyko became a highly respected figure in Chile. His geological research significantly contributed to the development of the country’s mining industry. As a rector of the University of Chile in the capital of Santiago, he played a key role in raising academic and scientific standards, which contributed to Chile’s broader economic development. In his honor, numerous streets, schools, libraries, and even a mountain peak and mountain range in the Andes were named after him.