| Chonchi | |
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| — Town and Commune — | |
| Location of Chonchi commune in Los Lagos Region | |
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Chonchi
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Chile |
| Region | Los Lagos |
| Province | Chiloé |
| Founded | 1767 |
| Government[1] | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Alcalde | Pedro Andrade Oyarzún (PDC) |
| Area[2] | |
| • Total | 1,362.1 km2 (525.9 sq mi) |
| Population (2002 Census)[2] | |
| • Total | 12,572 |
| • Density | 9.2/km2 (23.9/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 4,588 |
| • Rural | 7,984 |
| Sex[2] | |
| • Men | 6,453 |
| • Women | 6,119 |
| postal code | |
| Area code(s) | country + city = 56 + |
| Website | Municipality of Chonchi |
Chonchi is a Chilean town and commune located in Los Lagos Region. Chonchi is a truly rural community. The country people have given a distinct form to its valleys, hills and waterways. They well understand the relationship between the natural world and the productivity of their fields.
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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 the islands. 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.[3]
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]
Maritime commerce with Europe strongly influenced the town. With the aid of catalogues and pictures, European carpenters and cabinetmakers introduced the fashions of the Old World. In addition to neoclassical architecture, the maritime traffic also introduced new construction materials.
Despite the Neo-classical style, well know in virtually every harbour town of the Pacific, the architecture of Chonchi possesses an originality shocking.
Nearby attractions include:
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).
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