Calbuco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Calbuco
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San Miguel Arcangel de Calbuco
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| Country | Chile | |||||
| Region | Los Lagos | |||||
| Province | Llanquihue | |||||
| Founded as | Fuerte San Miguel de Calbuco | |||||
| Founded | May, 1603 | |||||
| Government | ||||||
| • Type | Municipality | |||||
| Area | ||||||
| • Total | 590.8 km2 (228.1 sq mi) | |||||
| Elevation | 7 m (23 ft) | |||||
| Population
(2012 Census)
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| • Total | 32,963 | |||||
| • Density | 55.794/km2 (144.505/sq mi) | |||||
| • Urban | 12,165 | |||||
| • Rural | 18,905 | |||||
| Sex | ||||||
| • Men | 15,906 | |||||
| • Women | 15,164 | |||||
| Time zone | UTC−4 (CLT) | |||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−3 (CLST) | |||||
| Area code(s) | 56 + 65 | |||||
| Climate | Cfb | |||||
| Website | Municipality of Calbuco | |||||
Calbuco is a city and a commune located in southern Chile. It is managed by the local government, known as the Municipality of Calbuco. This area is part of the Llanquihue Province in the Los Lagos Region.
The city of Calbuco started as a Spanish fort called Fort San Miguel de Calbuco. It was built in 1603. Over time, it grew into an important place for buying and selling fish. The ancient Monte Verde archaeological site is also found within the Calbuco commune.
Calbuco Island is home to the city of Calbuco. The commune also includes thirteen other islands. These islands are Huar, Puluqui, Chidhuapi, Tabón, Mayelhue, Lín, Quenu, Quihua, Huapi Abtao, Chaullín, Caicué (also known as lagartija), Tautil, and Queullín.
History of Calbuco
The city of Calbuco began as a fort named Fuerte San Miguel de Calbuco. This fort was built in 1603 by Francisco Hernández Ortiz-Pizarro.
Calbuco served as an important administrative center for many years. It was the capital of the Calbuco Department in Chiloé from 1834 to 1855. Later, it was the capital of the Carelmapu Department from 1855 to 1928. From 1937 to 1975, it was the capital of the Calbuco Department in Llanquihue.
People and Population
According to the 2002 census by the National Statistics Institute, Calbuco covers an area of 590.8 square kilometers. It had 31,070 residents at that time. This included 15,906 men and 15,164 women.
About 12,165 people (39.2%) lived in urban areas. The remaining 18,905 people (60.8%) lived in rural areas. The population of Calbuco grew by 15% between the 1992 and 2002 censuses. This means 4,043 more people moved there.
Main Settlements
Besides the main town of Calbuco, the commune also has other important settlements. These include Pargua, Puluqui Island, San Rafael, and Texas.
The town of San Rafael is located across an estuary from Calbuco. Texas was originally a camp built for people after the big 1960 earthquake. It has since become a more permanent settlement. Pargua is a key ferry port. It is the main entry point to the Chiloé Archipelago and the large island of Chiloé.
How Calbuco is Governed
As a commune, Calbuco is a local government area in Chile. It is run by a municipal council. The council is led by an alcalde, which is like a mayor. The alcalde is chosen directly by voters every four years.
The current alcalde is Rubén Cárdenas Gómez, from the PRSD. The municipal council also includes several other members. These members help make decisions for the commune.
- Pedro Yáñez Uribe (PRI)
- Juan Francisco Calbucoy Guerrero (PS)
- Oscar González Almonacid (PS)
- Sergio García Alvarez (Ind-UDI)
- Iván Vásquez Gómez (PRSD)
- Manuel Oyarzo Barría (PRO)
Calbuco is also part of larger electoral divisions of Chile. It is represented in the Chamber of Deputies (one part of Chile's parliament). Its representatives are Marisol Turres (UDI) and Patricio Vallespín (PDC). They represent the 57th electoral district, which includes Puerto Montt, Cochamó, and Maullín.
In the Senate (the other part of parliament), Calbuco is represented by Camilo Escalona Medina (PS) and Carlos Kuschel Silva (RN). They represent the 17th senatorial constituency, which covers the entire Los Lagos Region.
See also
In Spanish: Calbuco para niños
