Concepción Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Concepción

La Concepción de María Purísima
del Nuevo Extremo (original name)

City and Commune

Flag

Seal

Nickname(s):

Biobío's Pearl

Motto(s):

La Capital del Sur de Chile
The Capital of the South of Chile

Location of Concepción commune in the Biobío Region

Concepción

Location in Chile

Founded

October 5, 1550

Founded by

Pedro de Valdivia

Government

• Type

Municipality

Area

• City and Commune

222 km² (86 sq mi)

Population

(2006)

• City and Commune

292,589

• Density

1,318/km² (3,410/sq mi)

• Metro

1,322,581

Demonym(s)

Penquista

Time zone

UTC−4 (CLT)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−3 (CLST)

Post code

3349001

Telephone prefix

56 + 41

Website

Municipality of Concepción

Concepción is a very important city in Chile. It is often called the "Capital of the South of Chile." In 2002, about 889,725 people lived here. It's known for its history, culture, and many universities.

History of Concepción: A City's Journey
- The Big Earthquake of 2010
Climate in Concepción
Cultural Life and Universities
Gallery
Twin Towns
See also

History of Concepción: A City's Journey

Plaza de la Independencia, Concepción, in 1910.

Concepción was started by a Spanish explorer named Pedro de Valdivia in 1550. It was first built north of the Bío-Bío River, in a place now called Penco. Its first name was Concepción del Nuevo Extremo.

This new town was very close to "La Frontera," which means "The Frontier." This was the border between the land controlled by Spain and the land of the Mapuche people. The Mapuche were a group of Native Americans who stayed independent for a long time.

The Spanish government officially recognized Concepción as a town two years later. They gave it a special coat-of-arms, which is still used today.

Over the years, Concepción faced many natural disasters. Strong earthquakes and huge tsunamis hit the town in 1570, 1657, 1687, 1730, and 1751. These events caused a lot of damage. Because of this, the leaders decided to move the town. They rebuilt it in its current spot, in the Valle de la Mocha, right next to the Bío-Bío River.

The Big Earthquake of 2010

A 20-story building that collapsed during the 2010 earthquake.

On February 27, 2010, a very powerful earthquake hit Concepción. It was an 8.8 magnitude earthquake. Sadly, more than 700 people died across the country, and thousands were hurt.

Scientists used GPS data to study the earthquake's effects. They found that the city of Concepción actually moved about 3 meters (10 feet) to the west! Luckily, the city itself was spared from the giant tsunami that followed the earthquake.

Climate in Concepción

Concepción has a mild climate, meaning temperatures are not too hot or too cold. It's called an "oceanic influence" climate. This means the nearby ocean helps keep the weather comfortable all year.

Summers are usually dry, especially in February. In winter, it can sometimes snow, but the snow usually doesn't stay on the ground for very long.

Cultural Life and Universities

It can be a bit confusing to talk about the people from Concepción and a nearby city called Penco. Because Concepción used to be where Penco is now, people from Concepción are called penquistas. People from Penco are known as pencones.

Concepción is a lively city, especially for music. Many famous Chilean rock bands started here. It's a great place for young musicians!

The city is also a major center for learning. It has the second-highest number of universities in Chile. Many students come here to study. Here are some of the main universities:

Gallery

Arco de Medicina ("Arch of Medicine") on the campus of the Universidad de Concepción
Andes Tower
Mouth of the Bio-Bio emptying into the Pacific Ocean
Cathedral of Concepción; it was demolished after an earthquake on 1939.
BioBus, transport to a train station
Hotel Araucano
Plaza de la Independencia, the Plaza de Armas of Concepcion