Pitrufquén facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pitrufquén
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| Country | Chile | ||||
| Region | Araucanía | ||||
| Province | Cautín | ||||
| Government | |||||
| • Type | Municipality | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 580.7 km2 (224.2 sq mi) | ||||
| Elevation | 74 m (243 ft) | ||||
| Population
(2012 Census)
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| • Total | 21,981 | ||||
| • Density | 37.853/km2 (98.038/sq mi) | ||||
| • Urban | 13,420 | ||||
| • Rural | 8,568 | ||||
| Sex | |||||
| • Men | 10,902 | ||||
| • Women | 11,086 | ||||
| Time zone | UTC−4 (CLT) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−3 (CLST) | ||||
| Area code(s) | country 56 + city 45 | ||||
| Website | Municipality of Pitrufquén | ||||
Pitrufquén is a city and a commune (a type of local government area) in Chile. It is located in the Cautín Province of the Araucanía Region. The city is about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Temuco. It sits just south of the Toltén River, right along Chile Highway 5.
Contents
History of Pitrufquén
Pitrufquén was first known as Lisperguer. This name honored the French engineer Lisperguer. He was the person who designed the layout of the city.
Since 1898, Pitrufquén started to grow quickly. This growth was helped by its people and its strong farming potential. Many immigrants, especially from the Netherlands and Germany, also helped the city develop.
People and Population
According to a census from 2002, Pitrufquén covers an area of 580.7 square kilometers (about 224 square miles). At that time, it had 21,988 people living there. This included 10,902 men and 11,086 women.
Most of the people, about 13,420 (61%), lived in the city areas. The remaining 8,568 people (39%) lived in the countryside. The population grew to 24,586 by 2008.
Diverse Cultural Backgrounds
The people of Pitrufquén come from many different cultures. This is because of its history. Many people have Spanish roots. Also, immigrants from countries like France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, and Hungary came to live here.
Today, the largest group of foreign descendants lives in an area called "Faja Maisan." These are mostly people whose families came from Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Their ancestors arrived in the Araucanía region between 1905 and 1912.
How Pitrufquén is Governed
Pitrufquén is a commune, which is a local government area in Chile. It is managed by a group called a municipal council. The leader of this council is an alcalde, or mayor. The mayor is chosen directly by the people every four years.
The mayor from 2008 to 2012 was Humberto Catalán Candia. He was part of the Socialist Party of Chile. The current mayor is Jorge Jaramillo Hott.
See also
In Spanish: Pitrufquén para niños
