María Elena, Chile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
María Elena
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Town and Commune
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| Country |  Chile |
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| Region |  Antofagasta |
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| Province | Tocopilla | ||||
| Settled | approx. 1920 | ||||
| Government | |||||
| • Type | Municipality | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 12,197.2 km2 (4,709.4 sq mi) | ||||
| Elevation | 1,155 m (3,789 ft) | ||||
| Population
(2012)
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| • Total | 7,530 | ||||
| • Density | 0.6174/km2 (1.5989/sq mi) | ||||
| • Urban | 7,412 | ||||
| • Rural | 118 | ||||
| Sex | |||||
| • Male | 4,298 | ||||
| • Female | 3,232 | ||||
| Time zone | UTC−4 (CLT) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−3 (CLST) | ||||
| Area code(s) | 56 + 55 | ||||
| Website | Municipality of María Elena | ||||
María Elena is a town and commune located in the Tocopilla Province, within the Antofagasta Region of Chile. It is known for its history related to saltpeter mining. According to the 2012 census, about 7,530 people lived in the commune, which covers an area of about 12,197 square kilometers. Most of the people (98.4%) live in urban areas, while a smaller number (1.6%) live in rural areas.
Contents
History of María Elena
María Elena was named after Mary Ellen Comdon. She was the wife of Elias Cappelens, who was the first manager of the saltpeter refinery works here. Originally, the mining site was called "Coya Norte."
The Saltpeter Industry
The plant in María Elena was built on land bought in 1924 and opened in 1926. It used a special system developed by the Guggenheim Brothers to extract sodium nitrate, which was a key ingredient in saltpeter. This new method replaced an older one called the Shanks system. The town's layout was even designed to look like the flag of the United Kingdom.
Along with another refinery in Pedro de Valdivia, built in 1931, María Elena became one of the largest saltpeter producers. Together, they could produce over one million tons each year.
Changes in Ownership
In 1965, the Chilean government took over both refineries through a company called the Chemicals and Mining Company (SQM). Later, in 1980, SQM became a private company again. This is why most of the land and buildings in María Elena are owned by SQM, not by individuals or the Chilean government.
A Unique Mining Town
By 1996, María Elena became the only active saltpeter mining community left in Chile. This happened after the Pedro de Valdivia refinery closed. Many workers and their families from Pedro de Valdivia moved to María Elena at that time.
The 2007 Earthquake
On November 14, 2007, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 hit the area. Its center was about 80 kilometers north of María Elena. The earthquake caused a lot of damage. Many of the town's old houses either fell down or became unsafe to live in. The local hospital also collapsed almost completely. Luckily, no one died or was seriously injured in the town.
Population Information
According to the 1992 census by the National Statistics Institute, María Elena had 7,530 residents. Of these, 7,412 lived in urban areas, and 118 lived in rural areas. There were 4,298 men and 3,232 women. By 2002, the total population had decreased to 2,689 people.
How María Elena is Governed
As a commune, María Elena is a local administrative area in Chile. It is managed by a municipal council. The head of the council is an alcalde (mayor), who is chosen directly by the people every four years.
Local Leaders
From 2008 to 2012, the alcalde was Jorge Godoy Bolvarán, who belongs to the Socialist Party. The municipal council also includes several members who help make decisions for the commune. These members are:
- Carlos Hidalgo Marfull
- Nelson Avendaño Véliz
- Jaqueline Godoy Soto
- Jorge Ramirez Plaza
- Carlos Ardiles Aceituno
- Andrés Concha F.
National Representation
María Elena is also part of larger electoral areas for Chile's national government.
- In the Chamber of Deputies (similar to a House of Representatives), María Elena is part of the 3rd electoral district. This district also includes Tocopilla, Calama, Ollagüe, and San Pedro de Atacama. Its representatives are Marcos Espinosa and Felipe Ward.
- In the Senate, María Elena is part of the 2nd senatorial constituency, which covers the entire Antofagasta Region. Its senators are Carlos Cantero Ojeda and José Antonio Gómez.
See also
In Spanish: María Elena (Chile) para niños
