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La Calera, Chile facts for kids

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La Calera
Downtown La Calera from the hills
Downtown La Calera from the hills
Location of the La Calera commune in the Valparaíso Region
Location in Chile
Location in Chile
La Calera
Location in Chile
Country Chile
Region Valparaíso
Province Quillota
Founded 1844
Government
 • Type Municipality
Area
 • Total 60.5 km2 (23.4 sq mi)
  As of 2002
Elevation
183 m (600 ft)
Population
 (2012 Census)
 • Total 50,221
 • Density 830.1/km2 (2,149.9/sq mi)
 • Urban
47,836
 • Rural
1,667
Demonym(s) Calerano
Sex
 • Men 24,134
 • Women 25,369
Time zone UTC-4 (CLT)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-3 (CLST)
Area code(s) 56 + 33
Website Official website: http://www.lacalera.cl/

La Calera is a lively city and commune located in the Quillota Province. It is part of central Chile's fifth region, called Valparaíso. This city has a rich history and plays an important role in the area.

Exploring La Calera's Location

La Calera Cross 2
100-Foot-high Cross on "La Melonita" hill, in La Calera

La Calera is situated about 66 kilometers (41 miles) northeast of Valparaíso. It is also 118 kilometers (73 miles) northwest of Santiago. The city lies in the beautiful Aconcagua River Valley.

Geographic Borders and Size

The total area of La Calera is about 60.5 square kilometers (23.4 square miles). It shares its borders with several other towns. To the north and west, it borders Nogales. To the east, you'll find Hijuelas, and to the south, it borders La Cruz.

Major Roads Connecting the City

Important roads like Route 5 and Route 60 partly surround the city of La Calera. These routes help connect the city to other parts of Chile.

The Story of La Calera: From Limestone to City

The name "La Calera" comes from the Spanish word "cal", which means quicklime. This quicklime is made from limestone (piedra caliza in Spanish). People have been getting limestone from the hills south of the town for about 400 years. So, "La Calera" basically means "quicklime mine."

Early Beginnings and Jesuit Influence

The city started as a settlement created by the Jesuits. The land of La Calera belonged to them until 1767. This was when King Charles III of Spain ordered the expulsion of Jesuits. A Bavarian Jesuit missionary named Karl von Haimhausen was very important in developing the area early on.

Growth and Industrialization

A big change happened in 1842 when Bolivian citizen Ildefonso Huici bought the land. He was the father of the famous socialite Eugenia Errázuriz. Huici began to industrialize the area using local resources. By 1844, a small town had grown around the factories and production centers. This is how La Calera became the city it is today.

La Calera's Economy: A Hub of Activity

La Calera is located at an important crossroads in the central valley. Thanks to the hard work of local people and immigrants, it has become a key center for business and services in the Valparaíso Region. This is true even though it's not the capital city of its province. It also has a strong industrial base, providing many jobs for people in the surrounding rural areas.

Key Industries and Shopping Spots

La Calera is home to several important companies and shopping areas:

  • Cemento Melón: A major cement company.
  • Sopraval: A well-known company.
  • Algamar: Another important business.
  • Falabella Shopping Plaza: A popular shopping mall.
  • Ripley Shopping Plaza: Another large shopping center.

People of La Calera: Demographics and Culture

In 2002, a census showed that La Calera had 49,503 residents. About 47,836 people (96.6%) lived in urban areas, and 1,667 people (3.4%) lived in rural areas. By 2007, the population was estimated to be around 50,644. La Calera's central location between Santiago de Chile and Valparaiso helped it become a hub for industrial growth.

Diverse Immigrant Communities

Before 1950, many immigrant communities settled in La Calera. The Palestinian and Italian communities are especially notable. La Calera has one of the largest proportions of Palestinian people in Latin America. Even a former mayor of the city was of Palestinian descent. Italian and French immigrants also helped create a successful farming economy.

Cultural Identity of Residents

La Calera has a mestizo cultural identity. This means that over half of the people have some Native American ancestry. It is estimated that people of Spanish descent and mestizos make up more than 90% of the population.

Famous People from La Calera

A person from La Calera is called a Calerano (for a man) or Calerana (for a woman). Some famous people from La Calera include:

How La Calera is Governed

As a commune, La Calera is a third-level administrative division of Chile. It is managed by a communal council (Concejo Comunal). This council is led by a mayor who is chosen by the people. The mayor, as of December 2008, was Dr. Eduardo Martínez Machuca from the Christian Democrat party.

Local Council Members

The communal council has several members who help run the city. These include:

  • Trinidad Rojo (RN)
  • Margarita Osorio (independent)
  • Ricardo Aliaga (DC)
  • Gustavo Arancibia (PS)
  • Orietta Valencia (PRSD)
  • Lautaro Correa (PS)

Representation in National Government

La Calera is part of the 10th electoral district for the Chamber of Deputies. Its representatives include Eduardo Cerda (PDC) and Andrea Molina (UDI). In the Senate, La Calera is part of the 5th senatorial constituency. Its senators are Ignacio Walker Prieto (PDC) and Lily Pérez San Martín (RN).

Universities in La Calera

La Calera is home to several universities and technical training centers:

  • Universidad Aconcagua
  • Universidad Bolivariana
  • CTF Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: La Calera (Chile) para niños

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