Chanco, Chile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chanco
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Town and Commune
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Location of the Chanco commune in the Maule Region
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 Chanco
Location in Chile
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| Country | Chile |
| Region | Maule |
| Province | Cauquenes |
| Founded | July 3, 1849 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Total | 529.5 km2 (204.4 sq mi) |
| As of 2002 | |
| Elevation | 513 m (1,683 ft) |
| Population
(2012 Census)
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| • Total | 9,003 |
| • Density | 17.0028/km2 (44.037/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 4,012 |
| • Rural | 5,445 |
| Demonym(s) | Chanquino |
| Sex | |
| • Men | 4,856 |
| • Women | 4,601 |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (CLT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (CLST) |
| Postal code |
3720000
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| Area code(s) | 56 + 73 |
| Website | Municipality of Chanco |
Chanco is a town and a commune (a type of local government area) in Chile. It is located in the Cauquenes Province within the Maule Region.
Contents
Where is Chanco Located?
Chanco is in a special spot in Chile. To the north, it shares borders with Constitución and Empedrado. To the south, you'll find Pelluhue. On its eastern side is Cauquenes, and to the west, it meets the vast Pacific Ocean. The total area of Chanco is about 529.5 km2 (204 sq mi).
Who Lives in Chanco?
According to a census from 2002, Chanco had 9,457 people living there. This included 4,856 men and 4,601 women. About 4,012 people (42.4%) lived in the town area, which is called an urban area. The rest, 5,445 people (57.6%), lived in the countryside, known as rural areas. Between 1992 and 2002, the number of people living in Chanco went down slightly by 35 people.
A Look Back: Chanco's History
Chanco was officially founded in 1889. However, it was an old settlement even before that, home to the native people called promaucaes.
Originally, Chanco was a town right by the sea. But in the 1800s, something interesting happened: the sand dunes along the coast started to move eastward. These moving dunes began to bury the old village and the farms around it!
In the early 1900s, a German botanist (someone who studies plants) named Federico Albert helped save the town. He started a huge project to plant a large forest to the west of Chanco. This forest helped stop the sand from moving further. The town was then moved a bit more to the east.
This important forest was made a national reserve in 1979. Today, it's a popular place for tourists to visit in the Cauquenes province.
Traditions and Fun in Chanco
Chanco is known for its unique look. In 1999, it was declared a "typical zone" because of its special neo-colonial style of buildings. This means the buildings have an old, traditional design.
One of the most popular events in Chanco is an annual festival held every February. This festival celebrates a singer named Guadalupe of the Carmen. She was born near Chanco and was very popular among Chilean farmers in the 1950s and 1960s for singing Mexican music. The festival is a big tribute to popular Mexican music and is a major event in the region.
How Chanco is Governed
As a commune, Chanco is a local administrative division of Chile. It is managed by a municipal council. The head of this council is an alcalde (mayor), who is chosen by the people every four years. The mayor from 2008 to 2012 was Viviana Díaz Mesa.
See also
In Spanish: Chanco para niños
