Santa Cruz, Chile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Santa Cruz
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City and Commune
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Church of Santa Cruz
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| Country |  Chile |
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| Region |  O'Higgins |
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| Province |  Colchagua |
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| Government | ||||||
| • Type | Municipality | |||||
| Area | ||||||
| • Total | 419.5 km2 (162.0 sq mi) | |||||
| Elevation | 173 m (568 ft) | |||||
| Population
(2012 Census)
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| • Total | 34,914 | |||||
| • Density | 83.228/km2 (215.559/sq mi) | |||||
| • Urban | 18,603 | |||||
| • Rural | 13,784 | |||||
| Demonym(s) | Santacruzano | |||||
| Sex | ||||||
| • Men | 16,160 | |||||
| • Women | 16,227 | |||||
| Time zone | UTC-4 (CLT) | |||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (CLST) | |||||
| Area code(s) | 56 + 72 | |||||
| Website | Official website: http://www.municipalidadsantacruz.cl/ | |||||
Santa Cruz is a lively city and commune in Chile. It's nestled in the beautiful Colchagua Valley, in the O'Higgins Region. You can find it on the southern bank of the Tinguiririca River. Santa Cruz is about 110 miles (177 km) from Santiago, Chile's capital. It's also 27 miles (43 km) from San Fernando.
Contents
History of Santa Cruz
We don't have an exact date for when Santa Cruz was first founded. However, it officially became a municipality in 1891. A municipality is like a local government that manages a town or city. Pichilemu also became a municipality in the same year.
From its early days, Santa Cruz was known for its handmade crafts. It was also important for farming. Farmers grew wheat, tomatoes, and grapes for wine. Because of its strong ties to country life, Santa Cruz gives you a real look at Chilean rural traditions. You can see these traditions in its wine, food, and sports like the rodeo.
The city of Santa Cruz was affected by a big earthquake in Chile in 2010.
Population and Area
Let's look at the numbers for Santa Cruz. According to a census from 2002, the city covers an area of 419.5 square kilometers (about 162 square miles). A census is like a big count of all the people living in a place.
In 2002, Santa Cruz had 32,387 people living there. This included 16,160 men and 16,227 women. More than half of these people (18,603) lived in city areas. The rest (13,784) lived in the countryside. The population of Santa Cruz grew by about 10.7% between 1992 and 2002.
Fun Places to Visit
Santa Cruz has many old buildings with beautiful colonial architecture. These buildings are very well preserved. The most famous places to visit are around the main town square, called Plaza de Armas.
- The historic Santa Cruz church is a must-see.
- The Santa Cruz Hotel is another famous spot.
- The Carillon Clock was built in 1970. Today, it's a cool place where tourists can get information about the city. It's an interactive center!
Economy and Tourism
Over the last 20 years, tourism has become very important for Santa Cruz. Especially, rural tourism brings a lot of money to the city. This type of tourism lets visitors experience country life.
Many vineyards in the valley have joined together for a project called "Wine Route." This project offers different tours where you can learn about wine. It's a big reason why tourism has grown so much here.
Climate in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz has a warm, mild climate. It usually rains between June and November.
How Santa Cruz is Governed
Santa Cruz is a commune, which means it's a local administrative area in Chile. It's managed by a municipal council. This council is led by an alcalde. An alcalde is like a mayor, and they are chosen by the people in an election every four years. The current alcalde for 2021-2024 is William Arévalo.
Nearby Towns and Villages
- Isla de Yáquil
- Paniahue
- Villa Alegre
See also
In Spanish: Santa Cruz (Chile) para niños
