Teja island is an island in the city of Valdivia, Chile

Valdivia, Chile

Valdivia is a city and commune in southern Chile administered by the Municipality of Valdivia. The city is named after its founder Pedro de Valdivia and is located at the confluence of the Calle-Calle, Valdivia and Cau-Cau Rivers, approximately east of the coastal towns of Corral and Niebla...

 surrounded by three rivers: Cau-Cau river

Cau-Cau River

Cau-Cau River is minor river in the city of Valdivia, southern Chile. Cau-Cau River acts as a regulating channel between Cruces River and Calle-Calle River forming the Isla Teja island in front of the city centre. It confluence with Calle-Calle River marks the beginning of Valdivia River....

 to the north, Cruces river

Cruces River

The Cruces River is a river near Valdivia, Chile. Río Cruces originates from hills near the Villarica volcano and flows then in south-west direction. The southern and final part of the river follows the Valdivian Coastal Range. At the latitude of Valdivia it is crossed by Río Cruces Bridge near...

 to the west and Valdivia river

Valdivia River

The Valdivia River or Río Valdivia, as it is known locally, is a major river in southern Chile. It is the continuation of the Calle-Calle River, from the point where it meets the Cau-Cau River in the city of Valdivia. The Valdivia river ends in Corral Bay, on the Pacific coast. Other tributaries...

 to the sout east. Initially it was outside the proper city, but with the arrival of the German immigrants many of them settled there and since 1939 the island is directly connected to downtown Valdivia through the Pedro de Valdivia bridge

Pedro de Valdivia Bridge

Pedro de Valdivia Bridge is an arch bridge spanning Valdivia River, that separates downtown Valdivia from Isla Teja island a residential area.Together with Río Cruces Bridge it allows connection from Valdivia to the coastal town Niebla....

. A large section of the island's western riverside sank below water level due to the Great Chilean Earthquake

Great Chilean Earthquake

The 1960 Valdivia earthquake or Great Chilean Earthquake of Sunday, 22 May 1960 is to date the most powerful earthquake ever recorded on Earth, rating 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale...

 of 1960.

The island holds the main campus of Universidad Austral de Chile

Universidad Austral de Chile

Southern University of Chile is a research university in Chile based in Valdivia although it has some institutions and careers in Puerto Montt. Founded by decree on 7 September 1954 it is one of the eight original Chilean Traditional Universities...

 and since the construction of Río Cruces bridge

Río Cruces Bridge

Río Cruces Bridge is a triangular bridge spanning Cruces River that unites Isla Teja from Torobayo, a sub-urban area of Valdivia. Together with Pedro de Valdivia Bridge it allows connection from Valdivia to the coastal town Niebla. Before the opening of Río Cruces Bridge the main access to Niebla...

 in 1987 it became the main route to the neighboring areas of Niebla

Niebla, Chile

Niebla is a coastal Chilean town close to the city of Valdivia, Valdivia Province, Los Lagos Region. Niebla is located on the northern edge, at the mouth of the Valdivia River, across from Corral. Niebla's beach and folk market are popular tourist destinations during the summer, together with the...

, Corral and Mancera Island

Mancera Island

Mancera Island is a minor island at the mouth of Valdivia River, in southern Chile. It was named after the Spanish viceroy of Peru Pedro de Toledo, 1st Marquis of Mancera, who fortified the island. The fort was a vital point in the Valdivian Fort System, preventing enemy ships from reaching...

.