Coquimbo | |
|---|---|
   | |
 Flag  Coat of arms    Coquimbo Location in Chile | |
| Coordinates (city):29°57′11″S71°20′36″W / 29.95306°S 71.34333°W /-29.95306; -71.34333 | |
| Country |  Chile |
| Region |  Coquimbo |
| Province | Elqui |
| Founded | 1867 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Alcalde | Ali Manouchehri |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,429.3 km2 (551.9 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 15 m (49 ft) |
| Population (2012 census)[2] | |
• Total | 200,117 |
| • Density | 140.01/km2 (362.63/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 154,316 |
| • Rural | 8,720 |
| Demonym | Coquimban |
| Sex | |
| • Men | 79,428 |
| • Women | 83,608 |
| Time zone | UTC−3 (CLT) |
| Postal code | 1780000 |
| Area code | 56 + 51 |
| Website | municoquimbo.cl |
Coquimbo is a portcity,commune and capital of theElqui Province, located on thePan-American Highway, in theCoquimbo Region of Chile. Coquimbo is situated in a valley 10 km (6 mi) south ofLa Serena, with which it formsGreater La Serena with more than 400,000 inhabitants. The commune spans an area around the harbor of 1,429.3 km2 (552 sq mi).[2] The average temperature in the city lies around 14 °C (57 °F), and precipitation is low.
The area was originally occupied by indigenous people, who used it as a settlement and for fishing purposes. The natural harbor in Coquimbo was taken over byPedro de Valdivia from Spain in 1550. In 1879 it was recognized as a town. The city was on the main path of totality of theSolar eclipse of July 2, 2019.
Coquimbo was first mentioned in the English speaking world whenCharles Darwin visited during his voyage onHMS Beagle, stopping in the town on 14 May 1835 describing the town as "remarkable for nothing but its extreme quietness."[3] Starting in the mid 1800s tens of thousands of Englishmen moved to Coquimbo establishing a distinct English architectural and culinary legacy.[3] English settlement was fueled by the gold and copper industry in the region which peaked in 1860, the same time as the construction of a large English cemetery.[3]
According to the 2002 census of theNational Statistics Institute, Coquimbo had 163,036 inhabitants (79,428 men and 83,608 women). Of these, 154,316 (94.7%) lived in urban areas and 8,720 (5.3%) in rural areas. The population grew by 32.8% (40,270 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.[2]
As acommune, Coquimbo is a fourth-leveladministrative division of Chile administered by amunicipal council, headed by analcalde who is directly elected every four years. The 2012-2016 alcalde was Cristian Galleguillos Vega.[1]
Within theelectoral divisions of Chile, Coquimbo is represented in theChamber of Deputies by Pedro Velásquez (Ind.) and Matías Walker (PDC) as part of the 8th electoral district, (together withOvalle andRío Hurtado). The commune is represented in theSenate by Gonzalo Uriarte (UDI) and Jorge Pizarro Soto (PDC), as part of the 4th senatorial constituency (Coquimbo Region).
The city is an industrial and shipping center. It is growing quickly, registering a 32.8% growth rate from 1992 to 2002. Tourism has started to develop. It is an access point for beach towns to the south, such asGuanaqueros andTongoy. The port is still important for shipping, especially fruit and copper from mines in the region. Wine is also produced in the area.
The city has a football team calledCoquimbo Unido which plays in theChilean Primera División B. Their home games are played at theFrancisco Sánchez Rumoroso Municipal Stadium, which has a capacity of 17,750 seats. They are nicknamed "Los Piratas", because of the tradition ofpirates that arrived to the coasts of Coquimbo. Their biggest rival isClub de Deportes La Serena.
Coquimbo istwinned with:
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
