Rancagua

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rancagua is a city in central Chile, and capital of the O'Higgins Region. It has a population of 206,971 (2002 census). The main economic activities go 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.

Rancagua was founded by Jose 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 in 1814, when Chilean forces fighting for independence from Spain were defeated, marking the beginning of the period known as the Reconquista (an attempt from spaniards to take over Chile).

In recent years the city has become one of the most attractive cultural and tourist spots in the O'Higgins Region mainly for the vineyards that are located near of it and also for the well-known project to build a Casino in the city. There are also some very interesting arhceological spots, sport centers and cultural trips to smaller and more typical villages and towns.

The city is connected with Santiago by the Panamerican Highway (Ruta 5 Sur). The Metrotren connects the metro service in Santiago to Rancagua by train.

Rancagua houses 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 to the east of the city in the Andes mountain range. El Teniente is one of the divisions of Codelco, Chile's biggest copper mining corporation.

The city's Braden Cooper Stadium was one of the four venues of the 1962 football (soccer) World Cup. Nowadays, it houses the O'Higgins professional soccer club, who is one of the leader teams in chilean professional soccer.