Hispanic conceptions around a disputed territory in Chile : Araucano-Mapuches and Spaniards during the 17th century

Abstract

This article analyzes the historicity of the border concept through an investigation of the representation of the territory of the Spanish conquerors in Chile during the seventeenth century. It shows that the concept of border as it was defined since the 19th century is not a good theoretical tool for the study of earlier times and for which the author proposes those of "between-two" and mobile border.