Chonchi Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Chonchi

Town and Commune

Location of Chonchi commune in Los Lagos Region

Chonchi

Location in Chile

Founded

1767

Government

• Type

Municipality

Area

• Total

1,362.1 km² (525.9 sq mi)

Elevation

26 m (85 ft)

Population

(2012 Census)

• Total

12,959

• Density

9.5140/km² (24.6411/sq mi)

• Urban

4,588

• Rural

7,984

Sex

• Men

6,453

• Women

6,119

Area code(s)

56 + 65

Website

Municipality of Chonchi

Chonchi is a town and commune in Chile. It is located in the Los Lagos Region. Chonchi is found on Chiloé Island.

The commune of Chonchi includes the main town and several smaller villages. These villages are:

Rauco
Quinched
Vilupulli
Teupa
Terao
Petanes
Notue
Quiao
Huillinco
Cucao

People Living in Chonchi
Chonchi's History
Buildings and Places to See
Places to Visit Nearby
How Chonchi is Governed
Images for kids
See also

People Living in Chonchi

In 2002, a study found that Chonchi had 12,572 people. About 6,453 were men and 6,119 were women. The town covers an area of about 1,362 square kilometers. Most people (63.5%) lived in the countryside. About 36.5% lived in the town itself. The number of people living in Chonchi grew by 18.3% between 1992 and 2002.

Chonchi's History

Iglesia San Carlos de Chonchi

Traditional buildings in Chonchi

Chonchi started as a special school run by Jesuits in 1755. It had 150 students. The town was officially founded in 1767. This was ordered by Don Guil y Gonzaga, who was the Governor of Chiloé. By 1787, Chonchi had 315 people living there. When Chiloé joined Chile, Chonchi became more important for trade. This helped the town grow. In 1833, Chonchi was the most important town in the south of Chiloé Island. It became a church parish in 1836, showing its religious importance.

Chonchi was a good place for ships to stop because of its safe harbor. The timber industry, which cuts and sells wood, made Chonchi a busy center. In the early 1900s, Chonchi was very rich and had a lively social life. Ideas from Europe also influenced the town's style and culture. A famous pirate named Pedro Ñancúpel was born in Terao, a village in Chonchi, in 1837.

Buildings and Places to See

A general view of Chonchi

Chonchi is known as the "Town of Three Floors." The first "floor" is the harbor and the market by the sea. The second "floor" is the town's buildings around the museum. The third "floor" is the main square with the church.

Old Wooden Houses: Many interesting wooden houses from the late 1800s and early 1900s can be seen. These were built when the timber industry was booming.
San Carlos de Borromeo Church: This church is one of 16 wooden churches on Chiloé Island. These churches are so special that Unesco named them a World Heritage site in 2000. Building the church started in 1754 and finished in 1859. Its tower was rebuilt after a storm in 2002.
San Antonio de Padua Church: Another World Heritage church is in Vilupulli village, north of Chonchi. It was opened in 1872 and became a national monument in 1971.
Regional Museum: The Museo de las Tradiciones Chonchinas is in a large wooden building. It shows how wealthy families lived in the early 1900s. It also shows daily life in Chonchi during the 20th century.
Cemetery: In the cemetery, you can see old tombs that look like small churches.
Fuerte Tauco: This old fortress was built in 1780. It was meant to protect the entrance to Castro, but it was never used in a battle.

Places to Visit Nearby

Church in Vilupulli

Fuerte Tauco, a fortress from 1780

Near Chonchi, you can visit Chiloé National Park. There are also several lakes:

Huillinco Lake
Tarahuín Lake
Natri Lake
Tepuhueico Lake

Huillinco is a village by Huillinco Lake. Most of its 943 people (in 2002) are from the Huilliche group. It has an interesting cemetery. Cucao is a village on the west coast of Chiloé. It has 424 people (in 2000) and is at the entrance to Chiloé National Park.

How Chonchi is Governed

Chonchi is a commune, which is a local government area in Chile. It is run by a council and an alcalde (mayor). The mayor is elected every four years. The mayor from 2008 to 2012 was Pedro Andrade Oyarzún.