Hualqui facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hualqui
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Mirador of Hualqui, formerly the colonial fortress
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| Country | Chile | |||||
| Region | Bío Bío | |||||
| Province | Concepción | |||||
| Government | ||||||
| • Type | Municipality | |||||
| Area | ||||||
| • Total | 530.5 km2 (204.8 sq mi) | |||||
| Elevation | 39 m (128 ft) | |||||
| Population
(2017 Census)
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| • Total | 24,333 | |||||
| • Density | 45.868/km2 (118.798/sq mi) | |||||
| • Urban | 20,889 | |||||
| • Rural | 3,444 | |||||
| Sex | ||||||
| • Men | 11,843 | |||||
| • Women | 12,490 | |||||
| Time zone | UTC−4 (CLT) | |||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−3 (CLST) | |||||
| Area code(s) | 56 + 41 | |||||
| Website | Municipality of Hualqui | |||||
Hualqui (pronounced WAL-kee) is a city and commune in Chile. It is located in the Concepción Province of the Biobío Region. Hualqui is part of the larger Greater Concepcion area, but it still feels like a countryside town. In 2017, about 24,333 people lived there.
The name Hualqui comes from an old local name used by the Moluche people. In 1577, a small fort was built here by Rodrigo de Quiroga, who was the Royal Governor of Chile. This fort was on the Biobío River, about 23 kilometers from the city of Concepcion. Over time, a small town grew around this fort. In 1756, Governor Manuel de Amat y Juniet officially founded the town, naming it San Juan Bautista de Gualqui. It was an important regional capital until 1799.
People and the Land in Hualqui
According to the 2017 census by the National Statistics Institute, Hualqui covers an area of about 530.5 square kilometers. It has a total of 24,333 residents.
- 11,843 residents are men.
- 12,490 residents are women.
Most people, about 20,889 (85.8%), live in the urban areas of Hualqui. The remaining 3,444 people (14.2%) live in the rural areas. The population of Hualqui grew by 16.2% between the 1992 and 2002 censuses, showing that more people are choosing to live there.
How Hualqui is Governed
As a commune, Hualqui is a local government area in Chile. It is managed by a municipal council. The council is led by an alcalde, which is like a mayor. The alcalde is chosen directly by the people in an election every four years.
From 2008 to 2012, the alcalde of Hualqui was Ricardo Fuentes Palma. He was an Independent politician, meaning he did not belong to a specific political party.
See also
In Spanish: Hualqui para niños
