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La Cruz | |
|---|---|
 Plaza de Armas in La Cruz | |
   La Cruz Location in Chile | |
| Coordinates:32°49′41″S71°10′34″W / 32.82806°S 71.17611°W /-32.82806; -71.17611 | |
| Country | Chile |
| Region | Valparaíso |
| Province | Quillota |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Alcalde | Filomena Navia (PS) |
| Area | |
• Total | 78.2 km2 (30.2 sq mi) |
| As of 2002 | |
| Elevation | 543 m (1,781 ft) |
| Population (2012 Census)[2] | |
• Total | 17,310 |
| • Density | 221/km2 (573/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 10,611 |
| • Rural | 2,240 |
| Sex | |
| • Men | 6,348 |
| • Women | 6,503 |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (CLT[3]) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (CLST[4]) |
| Area code | country 56 +city 33 |
| Website | Municipality of La Cruz |
La Cruz (Spanish pronunciation:[lakɾus]) is a city andcommune inQuillota Province,Valparaíso Region,Chile.
The Mediterranean climate of Chile'sZona Central allows for a rich quality and variety offlora andfauna. Because of this climate, La Cruz produces many fruits and vegetables, and is known as the "National Capital of the Avocado",[5] The town is also one of the main producers of chirimoya, a fruit with a green shell and white meat.
The commune of La Cruz spans an area of 78.2 km2 (30 sq mi).
According to the 2002census of theNational Statistics Institute, La Cruz spans has 12,851 inhabitants (6,348 men and 6,503 women). Of these, 10,611 (82.6%) lived inurban areas and 2,240 (17.4%) inrural areas. The population grew by 19.3% (2,080 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.[2]
The Camilo Henríquez Municipal Library, created in 1954, has over 9,000 books and multimedia.
The economy is sustained principally through agriculture, highlighted by avocados and chirimoyas, and flower cultivation. Beginning in the year 2001, various changes were made in road infrastructure, urban and territorial improvements and significant advances in the areas of health and education.
As acommune, La Cruz is a third-leveladministrative division of Chile, administered by a communal council (consejo comunal), which is headed by a directly electedalcalde. The current alcalde is Filomena Navia Hevia. The communal council has the following members:[1]
Within theelectoral divisions of Chile, La Cruz is represented in theChamber of Deputies by Eduardo Cerda (PDC) andAndrea Molina (UDI) as part of the 10th electoral district, (together withLa Ligua,Petorca,Cabildo,Papudo,Zapallar,Puchuncaví,Quintero,Nogales,Calera,Quillota andHijuelas).[needs update] The commune is represented in theSenate byIgnacio Walker Prieto (PDC) andLily Pérez San Martín (RN) as part of the 5th senatorial constituency (Valparaíso-Cordillera).[needs update]
The local health center has experienced since 2001 a profound transformation in infrastructure, medical equipment and increased staffing of attention, which places it among the best in the region.It has specialists in the field of Pediatrics and Gynecology, is open Monday through Saturday and his appearance is that of a true private clinic. There psychologists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, podiatrists to provide comprehensive care for crucinos.It offers health care programs at country pioneers such as home delivery of psychiatric liaison, visiting bedridden patients, mammography, dental, ultrasound, providing lenses, sterilization of dogs and cats among others.
In recent years, education in the district has experienced a major change in infrastructure and educational achievements. They have built classrooms, new restrooms, playgrounds, sports Multicanchas roofing, replacement of furniture and interactive whiteboards. They have integrated the municipal gardens that serve children 3 to 5 years. It also has three nurseries located in the Leonardo da Vinci School, Bologna and Mary Alonso Chacón.
From 2007 taught computer classes, physical education and English with teachers specializing in the subject from kindergarten level to fourth means, pioneering program in the municipal education. Students have SIMCE and psu workshops to reinforce their learning. Besides the curriculum prescribed by the ministry students have workshops and psubanda SIMCE instrumental art rock, handball, table tennis, catechesis, dance, chess, folklore, football, volleyball, basketball, since its formation on trial of the former Mrs. Maite Larrondo Laborde community "must be comprehensive." In the commune are the following establishments municipal elementary and secondary education:
