It occupied a plain along the river 42 kilometres (26 mi) from the Pacific Ocean that is part of a small valley surrounded by to the north by a high wooded mountainous area.
To the north of Talcamávida was the Quilacoya River and riachuelo of Millahue, in whose valleys and mountains Pedro de Valdivia forced the people of the Moluche rehue of Quilacoya to work in the rich gold mines there.
Its origin dates back long before the arrival of the Spaniards, as it was a settlement of the Indians called "Antileo", who settled on the banks of the Biobío River.
[1] Also in the 15th century it was the site of the second invasion that Chile has received in its history, by the Incas led by Huayna Capac.
The victory and bellicosity of the Mapuches would prevent them from advancing and settling there in the following years, having to return to the Maule River, finally delimiting it as a border line.