Linares, Chile facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Linares Linarense
City and Commune
Cathedral of Linares
Flag Coat of arms Location in the Maule Region Linares Location in Chile
Country	Chile
Region	Maule
Province	Linares
Founded	May 23, 1794
Founded as	Villa de San Ambrosio de Linares
Government
• Type	Municipality
Area
• Total	1,456.7 km2 (562.4 sq mi)
Elevation	165 m (541 ft)
Population  (2012 census).
• Total	120,716
• Density	82.869/km2 (214.631/sq mi)
• Urban	10,000
• Rural	20,716
Demonym(s)	Linarense
Sex
• Men	55000
• Women	65000
Time zone	UTC-4 (CLT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-3 (CLST)
Postal code	3580000
Area code(s)	56 + 73
Climate	Csb
Website	Official website: http://www.munilinares.cl/

Linares is a city and commune in Chile. It is located in the Maule Region, in the fertile Chilean Central Valley. Linares is about 303 kilometers (188 miles) south of Santiago. It is also 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Talca, which is the capital of the Maule Region. Linares is the main city of the Linares Province.

People and Population

Linares covers an area of about 1,456.7 square kilometers (562.4 sq mi). In 2002, the city had 83,249 residents. This included 40,518 men and 42,731 women.

Most people, about 82%, lived in urban areas. The remaining 18% lived in rural areas. Between 1992 and 2002, the population grew by 7.7%.

Geography and Rivers

The city of Linares itself covers about 16 square kilometers (6.2 sq mi). The main rivers that flow through or near the municipality are the Ancoa, Putagán, and Achibueno rivers.

Most of Linares is in the central plain, also known as the Valle Central de Chile. There are some small hills in the western part of the municipality. The eastern part has foothills of the Andes mountains.

Linares shares borders with several other municipalities. To the west is San Javier. To the north are Villa Alegre, Yerbas Buenas, and Colbún. Colbún is also to the east, and Longaví is to the south. The municipality of Colbún has some of the highest peaks and river sources in the province.

Linares also has a large urban wetland called Ayüwün. About 1.1 hectares of this wetland are protected by law.

Climate and Weather

Linares has a mild Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot, mostly dry summers from November to March. Temperatures can reach up to 32-33 degrees Celsius (90-91 degrees Fahrenheit) on the hottest days.

Winters, from late May to mid-September, are usually humid and rainy. Typical daytime temperatures are around 14-15 degrees Celsius (57-59 degrees Fahrenheit). Nighttime temperatures are just above freezing.

History of Linares

Main Square, Linares, Chile

Linares was founded on May 23, 1794. It was first named "Villa de San Ambrosio de Linares." The city was established by Ambrosio O'Higgins, who was the Viceroy of Peru and father of Bernardo O'Higgins.

Today, Linares is an important center for business, farming, and industry. Many important people, like politicians, poets, writers, and musicians, were born here. The city is also home to the artillery school of the Chilean Army.

From 1913 to 1954, Linares had a train station. It was part of a narrow-gauge railway line that connected Linares to Colbún.

Religion in Linares

In 2002, a census showed that most people in Linares, about 75.41%, were Roman Catholic. About 15.74% identified as evangelical Protestant. A smaller number, 0.61%, were Jehovah's Witnesses.

Additionally, 2.00% of the population were Mormons. About 2.59% followed other religions. Finally, 4.95% of the people said they were atheist or agnostic.

Linares is an important center for the Roman Catholic Church. It is the seat of a diocese, with many churches and chapels. There are also many churches for different Protestant Christian groups, as well as places of worship for Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons.

Main Places to Visit

Linares and its surrounding areas offer many interesting places to see:

• The Cathedral Church of San Ambrosio de Linares: This is one of Chile's most beautiful religious buildings from the 20th century. Its design was inspired by the Basilica of Saint Ambrose in Milan, Italy. The Cathedral of Linares was built after an earthquake destroyed the old one. Bishop Juan Subercaseaux Errázuriz started the project for this new cathedral.
• The parish church, Corazón de María: This church is known for its beautiful Gothic style. It has been declared a National Monument.
• The "Museo de Arte y Artesanía" (Museum of Arts and Crafts): Here you can explore local art and crafts.
• Old colonial houses: You can see many historic houses built in the colonial style.
• A main library: A great place for reading and learning.

The natural areas around Linares are also very appealing. These include:

• The foothills of the Andes mountains, with forests of pines and other trees.
• Lakes, like the artificial Colbún lake.
• Rivers, perfect for enjoying nature.
• Good areas for camping and hiking.

Other towns in the Linares Province include Colbún, Panimávida, Longaví, Parral, Retiro, San Javier, Villa Alegre, and Yerbas Buenas.

City Government

As a commune, Linares is managed by a municipal council. This council is led by an alcalde (mayor), who is chosen directly by voters every four years. The current mayor for 2021-2025 is Mario Meza.

Linares is part of Chile's electoral system. It is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Jorge Tarud and Romilio Gutiérrez. In the Senate, Linares is represented by Hernán Larraín and Ximena Rincón González.

Economy of Linares

Linares is an important center for farming, industry, and finance in its region.

Famous People from Linares

Many notable people have come from Linares city and province:

Scholars and Leaders

• Juan Ignacio Molina (Abate Molina): A Chilean priest and naturalist.
• Carlos Ibáñez del Campo: An Army General and twice president of Chile.
• Arturo Alessandri Palma: A politician and statesman, also twice president of Chile.
• Valentin Letelier: An educator, writer, and politician.
• Pedro Dartnell: A General, Army commander-in-chief, and politician.
• Manuel Miquel Rodríguez: A politician.
• José Manuel Sánchez: Cofounder of Poliglota.

Artists and Thinkers

• Pablo Neruda: A famous poet and Nobel Prize winner.
• Margot Loyola Palacios: A folk musician and researcher.
• Edilberto Domarchi Villagra: A poet.
• Samuel Maldonado Silva: A poet, novelist, and journalist.
• Pedro Olmos: A painter.
• Manuel Francisco Mesa Seco: A poet and writer.
• Eduardo Anguita: A writer.
• Rubén Campos Aragón: A poet.
• Max Jara: A poet.
• Jerónimo Lagos Lisboa: A poet.
• Gustavo González Rodríguez: A journalist and university professor.
• Juan Enrique Coeymans Avaria: A civil engineer and university professor.
• Manuel Astica Fuentes: A writer.
• Faruk Jose Nome Aguilera: A professor of organic chemistry.
• Humberto Pinochet: A painter.
• Juan Cristobal Pinochet: A painter.

Sports Figures

• Ismael Fuentes: A footballer.
• Juan Luis Mora: A footballer.
• Sebastián Silva (basketball): A basketball player.

Images for kids

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  Cathedral of Linares

• 

  Flag of Linares

• 

  Coat of arms of Linares

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  Location of Linares in the Maule Region

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  Main Square, Linares, Chile

See also

In Spanish: Linares (Chile) para niños