Coquimbo Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Coquimbo

City and Commune

Flag

Coat of arms

Coquimbo

Location in Chile

Country

Chile

Founded

1867

Government

• Type

Municipality

Area

• Total

1,429.3 km² (551.9 sq mi)

Elevation

15 m (49 ft)

Population

(2012 census)

• Total

200,117

• Density

140.010/km² (362.626/sq mi)

• Urban

154,316

• Rural

8,720

Demonym(s)

Coquimban

Sex

• Men

79,428

• Women

83,608

Time zone

UTC−3 (CLT)

Postal code

1780000

Area code(s)

56 + 51

Cruz del Tercer Milenio in Coquimbo.

Coquimbo is a busy port city in Chile. It is the capital of the Elqui Province. The city is located on the coast, about 10 kilometers south of La Serena. Together, Coquimbo and La Serena form a large urban area. The weather in Coquimbo is usually mild, with an average temperature of 14°C. It does not get much rain. The city and its surrounding area cover about 1,429 square kilometers.

History of Coquimbo
- English Influence in Coquimbo
People of Coquimbo
How Coquimbo is Governed
Economy of Coquimbo
Sports in Coquimbo
International Connections
Images for kids
See also

History of Coquimbo

The area where Coquimbo is located was first settled by native people. They used the natural harbor for fishing. In 1550, Pedro de Valdivia from Spain took control of the harbor. Coquimbo officially became a town in 1879.

English Influence in Coquimbo

The famous scientist Charles Darwin visited Coquimbo in 1835. He described the town as "remarkably quiet." In the mid-1800s, many English people moved to Coquimbo. They came because of the gold and copper mines in the region. This led to English styles in buildings and food. The mining industry was strongest around 1860.

People of Coquimbo

In 2002, Coquimbo had about 163,036 people living there. Most of them (94.7%) lived in the city. The rest lived in rural areas. The number of people living in Coquimbo grew a lot between 1992 and 2002.

How Coquimbo is Governed

Coquimbo is a commune, which is a type of local government area in Chile. It is managed by a municipal council. The head of the council is an alcalde (mayor), who is chosen by the people every four years.

Economy of Coquimbo

Coquimbo is an important center for industry and shipping. The city is growing quickly. Many people visit Coquimbo, and tourism is becoming more important. It is also a good starting point to visit nearby beach towns like Guanaqueros and Tongoy. The port is still very important for sending out goods. These goods include fruit and copper from mines in the area. Wine is also made in the region.

Sports in Coquimbo

Coquimbo has a football (soccer) team called Coquimbo Unido. They play in the Chilean Primera División B. Their home games are played at the Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso Municipal Stadium. This stadium can hold 17,750 fans. The team is nicknamed "Los Piratas" (The Pirates). This is because pirates used to visit the coasts of Coquimbo a long time ago. Their main rival is Club de Deportes La Serena.