Chonchi

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Chonchi



Comuna de Chonchi.svg
Chile location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Chonchi
Location in Chile
Coordinates: 42°37′19″S73°46′27″W / 42.62194°S 73.77417°W / -42.62194; -73.77417
Country Chile
Region Los Lagos
Province Chiloé
Founded1767
Government
[1]
  Type Municipality
   Alcalde Fernando Oyarzún Macías (RN)
Area
[2]
  Total1,362.1 km2 (525.9 sq mi)
Elevation
26 m (85 ft)
Population
 (2012 Census) [2]
  Total12,959
  Density9.5/km2 (25/sq mi)
   Urban
4,588
   Rural
7,984
Sex
[2]
  Men6,453
  Women6,119
Area code 56 + 65
Website Municipality of Chonchi

Chonchi is a Chilean town and commune located in Los Lagos Region. The commune consists of the town of Chonchi and the following villages:

Contents

Demographics

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Chonchi spans an area of 1,362.1 km2 (526 sq mi) and has 12,572 inhabitants (6,453 men and 6,119 women). Of these, 4,588 (36.5%) lived in urban areas and 7,984 (63.5%) in rural areas. The population grew by 18.3% (1,945 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses. [2]

History

Iglesia San Carlos de Chonchi Iglesia de Chonchi.jpg
Iglesia San Carlos de Chonchi
Traditional architecture in Chonchi ChonchiPlaza.jpg
Traditional architecture in Chonchi
General view of Chonchi Chonchi (Chiloe)15.jpg
General view of Chonchi
Church in Vilupulli Iglesia de Vilupulli.jpg
Church in Vilupulli
Fuerte Tauco, a fortress dating from 1780 Fuerte Tauco (Chile).jpg
Fuerte Tauco, a fortress dating from 1780

Originally Chonchi was a Jesuit mission station with a school which had 150 pupils in 1755, and the town itself was founded in 1767 by order of Don Guil y Gonzaga, the Governor of Chiloé. [3] In 1787 Chonchi had 315 inhabitants. Unification with Chile increased the economic importance of the region and promoted population growth. The 1833 census in Chonchi demonstrated that it was the most important town in south of the island. It became a parish in 1836, resuming its traditional religious significance within the area. A good anchorage made Chonchi a natural stopping place for traffic in the canals and timber exploitation transformed it into a hub for development of the region. The economic activity centred upon Chonchi reached its zenith at the beginning of the 20th century creating an opulent society with an active social circle. The influence of external ideas (Europeans) is clearly apparent in the town. [4]

The pirate Pedro Ñancúpel was a native of Chonchi, being born in Terao 1837. [5]

Architecture and Sights

The nickname of Chonchi is Ciudad de los Tres Pisos which means "Town of three floors". The ground floor corresponds to the harbour and the marine drive with the picturesque market Feria Artesanal, the second floor consists of the urban architecture around the museum, and the third floor is the main square with the church. [6]

Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include Chiloé National Park and several lakes: Huillinco, Tarahuín, Natri and Tepuhueico.

Huillinco, on Lago Huillinco, is a village of 943 inhabitants (2002), most of whom are Huilliche with an interesting cemetery. [8]

Cucao is one of the very few settlements on Chiloé on the west coast. It is a village with 424 inhabitants (2000) at the entrance of Chiloé National Park. [9]

Administration

As a commune, Chonchi is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years. The 2008-2012 alcalde is Pedro Andrade Oyarzún (PDC). [1]

Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Chonchi is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Gabriel Ascencio (PDC) and Alejandro Santana (RN) as part of the 58th electoral district, together with Castro, Ancud, Quemchi, Dalcahue, Curaco de Vélez, Quinchao, Puqueldón, Queilén, Quellón, Chaitén, Hualaihué, Futaleufú and Palena. The commune is represented in the Senate by Camilo Escalona Medina (PS) and Carlos Kuschel Silva (RN) as part of the 17th senatorial constituency (Los Lagos Region).

Gaviota de Franklin Chonchi coast Gaviota de Franklin.JPG
Gaviota de Franklin Chonchi coast
Costanera de Chonchi desde el muelle Costanera de Chonchi desde el muelle.JPG
Costanera de Chonchi desde el muelle
Chonchi Chonchi.JPG
Chonchi
Downtown Chonchi Centro de la ciudad de Chonchi.JPG
Downtown Chonchi
Calle centenario desde la Antigua plaza Calle centenario.JPG
Calle centenario desde la Antigua plaza
Embarcaciones en el muelle Chonchi city port Embarcaciones en el muelle.JPG
Embarcaciones en el muelle Chonchi city port

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References

  1. 1 2 "Municipality of Chonchi" (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "National Statistics Institute" (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 January 2010.
  3. Juan Mancilla Pérez. Pueblos de Chiloé, p. 56. Castro 2008
  4. Chonchi history Archived 2007-07-02 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Cárdenas Álvarez, Renato (January 17, 2005). "La historia del pirata chilote Pedro Ñancúpel" (in Spanish). El Llanquihue . Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  6. Juan Mancilla Pérez. Pueblos de Chiloé, p. 57. Castro 2008
  7. Jorge Sánchez R.: Chiloé - tradición y cultura, p.42. Santiago de Chile 2006. ISBN   956-309-024-1
  8. Juan Mancilla Pérez. Pueblos de Chiloé, p. 59. Castro 2008
  9. Juan Mancilla Pérez. Pueblos de Chiloé, p. 60. Castro 2008