Rancagua
Rancagua
| Rancagua, Chile | |
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| — City and Commune — | |
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 Rancagua, Chile
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| Coordinates (city): 34°10′S 70°45′W / 34.167°S 70.75°WCoordinates: 34°10′S 70°45′W / 34.167°S 70.75°W | |
| Region | Cachapoal Province |
| Province | |
| Foundation | October 5, 1743 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Municipality |
| - Alcalde | Eduardo Soto |
| Area | |
| - Total | 260.3 km2 (100.5 sq mi) |
| Population (2002 Census) | |
| - Total | 214,344 |
| - Density | 823.4/km2 (2,132.7/sq mi) |
| - Urban | 206,971 |
| - Rural | 7,373 |
| Sex | |
| - Men | 104,879 |
| - Women | 109,465 |
| Time zone | CLT (UTC-4) |
| - Summer (DST) | CLST (UTC-3) |
| Area code(s) | 56 + |
| Website | Municipality of Rancagua |
Rancagua (Spanish pronunciation: [raŋˈka.ɡwa]) is a city and commune in central Chile, part of the Rancagua conurbation. It is the capital of the Cachapoal Province and of the O'Higgins Region, located 87 km (54 mi) south of the national capital of Santiago. It had a 2002 population of 214,344. The main economic activities range from mining activity, tourism, agriculture, wood industry, food production and services to minor industrial activities. The city also serves as the administrative and legal center of the region.
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History
Rancagua was founded by José Antonio Manso de Velasco, who founded several cities in the central area of Chile. The city's original name was Villa Santa Cruz de Triana.
The city is famous in Chilean history as the scene of the Disaster of Rancagua of 1814, when Chilean forces fighting for independence from Spain were defeated, marking the beginning of the period known as the Reconquista (an attempt by Spain to regain control of Chile).
In the wake of the 27 February 2010 earthquake, Cuba set up a temporary hospital in the city with a medical brigade of 27 doctors and 9 staff.
Today
In recent years the city has become one of the most attractive cultural and tourist centers in the O'Higgins Region mainly due to the vineyards in the area. There are also some archeological sites, sport centers and easy access to smaller and more typical villages and towns.
The city connects with Santiago via the Panamerican Highway (Chile Route 5). The Metrotren connects the metro service in Santiago to Rancagua by train.
Rancagua is home of the University of Rancagua, the first private university to be established in the O'Higgins Region.
Rancagua is also known for the "Largest Underground Copper Mine in the World" called El Teniente, located about 40 km (25 mi) to the east of the city in the Andes mountain range. El Teniente is a division of the state-owned mining enterprise, Codelco.
The city's Braden Copper Stadium was one of the four venues of the 1962 football (soccer) World Cup. Nowadays, it houses the O'Higgins professional soccer club, one of the leading teams in Chilean professional soccer. In this city every year takes place the National Championship of Chilean rodeo in the Medialuna Monumental de Rancagua.
Demographics
According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Rancagua spans an area of 260.3 km2 (101 sq mi) and has 214,344 inhabitants (104,879 men and 109,465 women). Of these, 206,971 (96.6%) lived in urban areas and 7,373 (3.4%) in rural areas. The population grew by 14.4% (27,020 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.
Notable people born in Rancagua
- Germán Riesco (1854–1916), President of Chile between 1901 and 1906
- Lucho Gatica, Chilean bolero singer
- Mariano Díaz, photographer, graphic designer, and writer
Administration
As a commune, Rancagua is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years.
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Rancagua is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Mr. Alejandro García-Huidobro (UDI) and Mr. Juan Luis Castro (PS) as part of the 32nd electoral district, which consist entirely of the Rancagua commune. The commune is represented in the Senate by Andrés Chadwick Piñera (UDI) and Juan Pablo Letelier Morel (PS) as part of the 9th senatorial constituency (O'Higgins Region).
Gallery of photos
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Independencia Street, Rancagua
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O'Higgins Region Intendancy
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Bernardo O'Higgins Monument.
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The Battle of Rancagua during the Chilean War of Independence, by Pedro Subercaseaux.
See also
- Medialuna de Rancagua
- Instituto O'Higgins
- Sewell, Chile
- Battle of Rancagua
- ^ a b c d (Spanish) "National Statistics Institute". http://www.ine.cl/canales/chile_estadistico/censos_poblacion_vivienda/censo_pobl_vivi.php. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- ^ "Chile Time". WorldTimeZones.org. http://www.world-time-zones.org/zones/chile-time.htm. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- ^ "Chile Summer Time". WorldTimeZones.org. http://www.world-time-zones.org/zones/chile-summer-time.htm. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- ^ Morning Star, "", 8 March 2010 (accessed 9 March 2010)
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