Puqueldón Facts for Kids

Puqueldón is a small area in Chile. It is a commune located within the Chiloé Archipelago. This area is part of the Chiloé Province and the Los Lagos Region.

Puqueldón is found on Lemuy Island. It is made up of eight villages, with Puqueldón being the largest. In 2002, Puqueldón was one of the towns that received a special scholarship from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

History of Puqueldón
Architecture and Churches
- World Heritage Churches
Population and Demographics
- Population Figures
How Puqueldón is Governed
- Local Leadership
- National Representation
Images for kids
See also

History of Puqueldón

Puqueldón became a town, or "Villa," in the late 1700s. It was first mentioned as "Pucolón" in a document from 1776. The people of this area are known for their strong religious beliefs.

Early Records of Puqueldón

Spanish records from 1785 mention a chapel in Puqueldón. By 1787, it was described as a simple village. A count of people in 1787 showed 1,521 Spaniards and 74 native people living there.

Puqueldón in Colonial Times

During the colonial period, Puqueldón was under military rule. It had four towns, and Ichuac was the most populated. In 1826, Puqueldón became a part of Chiloé Province.

Modern Developments in Puqueldón

By 1924, the town had grown. It had a chapel, a town square, a post office, and telegraph services. There was also a civil registry and public schools. The church you see today in Plaza de Armas was built in 1940.

Architecture and Churches

Church in Puqueldón

Just like in other parts of the archipelago, the people of Puqueldón had strong religious faith. They built eight churches, each with its own special design.

World Heritage Churches

Some of these churches are over 100 years old. These include the Ichuac Church, Aldachildo Church, and Detif Church. These three, along with 15 other churches in the Chiloé area, have been named World Heritage Sites. This means they are very important historical places. Some churches also have unique cemeteries with small, shingled mausoleums.

Population and Demographics

The National Statistics Institute conducted a census in 2002. This census showed that Puqueldón covers an area of 97.3 square kilometers.

Population Figures

In 2002, Puqueldón had 4,160 people living there. This included 2,006 men and 2,154 women. The entire commune is considered a rural area, meaning it is mostly countryside, not a big city. The population decreased by 2.1% (88 people) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.

How Puqueldón is Governed

Puqueldón is a commune, which is a local administrative area in Chile. It is managed by a municipal council.

Local Leadership

The council is led by an alcalde, who is like a mayor. The alcalde is chosen directly by the people every four years. From 2008 to 2012, the alcalde was Elson Carcamo Barría, who was an Independent politician.

National Representation

Puqueldón is part of Chile's electoral system.

In the Chamber of Deputies, Puqueldón is represented by Gabriel Ascencio (PDC) and Alejandro Santana (RN). They are part of the 58th electoral district. This district also includes towns like Castro, Ancud, and Quellón.
In the Senate, Puqueldón is represented by Camilo Escalona Medina (PS) and Carlos Kuschel Silva (RN). They are part of the 17th senatorial constituency, which covers the Los Lagos Region.