Laja, Chile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laja
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| Country | Chile | ||||
| Region | Bío Bío | ||||
| Province | Bíobío | ||||
| Founded | 1891 | ||||
| Government | |||||
| • Type | Municipality | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 339.8 km2 (131.2 sq mi) | ||||
| Elevation | 49 m (161 ft) | ||||
| Population
(2012 Census)
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| • Total | 22,288 | ||||
| • Density | 65.592/km2 (169.881/sq mi) | ||||
| • Urban | 16,288 | ||||
| • Rural | 6,116 | ||||
| Demonym(s) | Lajina | ||||
| Sex | |||||
| • Men | 11,113 | ||||
| • Women | 11,291 | ||||
| Time zone | UTC-4 (CLT) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (CLST) | ||||
| Area code(s) | country 56 + city 43 | ||||
Laja is a city and a commune (like a local district) in Chile. It's found in the Bío Bío Province, which is part of the Bío Bío Region. The city of Laja is the main town and the capital of its commune.
Contents
Where is Laja?
Laja is surrounded by important natural features. To the north, you'll find the Laja River. The Biobío river forms its western border. To the south and east, Laja shares its borders with the commune of Los Ángeles.
How Many People Live in Laja?
According to a 2002 count, Laja covers an area of about 339.8 square kilometers. At that time, 22,404 people lived there. This included 11,113 men and 11,291 women.
Most people, about 72.7%, lived in the city areas. The remaining 27.3% lived in the countryside. Between 1992 and 2002, the number of people living in Laja went down by 8%.
Towns and Villages in Laja
The Laja commune includes its main city, Laja. It also has several smaller villages. These include:
- Las Ciénagas
- Villa Laja
- Las Playas
- Puente Perales
- Cantera
- Violeta Parra
- Cachapoal
- La Colonia
- Diuquín
- Picul
- Santiago Chico
- Quilales
- Chillancito
- Las Viñas
- Las Lomas
- Santa Elena
- La Aguada
- Arenas Muertas
How Laja is Governed
Laja is a commune, which is a local government area in Chile. It is managed by a municipal council. This council is led by an alcalde (mayor). The alcalde is chosen directly by the people every four years. From 2008 to 2012, the alcalde was Vladimir Fica Toledo.
Laja's Representatives
Laja is part of a larger area for choosing government officials.
- For the Chamber of Deputies, Laja is in the 47th electoral district. This district also includes cities like Los Ángeles and Nacimiento. Its representatives are Juan Lobos and José Pérez.
- For the Senate, Laja is part of the 13th senatorial area. Its senators are Victor Pérez Varela and Mariano Ruiz-Esquide Jara.
See also
In Spanish: Laja (Chile) para niños
