Vicuña, Chile

Vicuña
City and Commune
Vicuña as seen from nearby hills.
Coat of arms
Coat of arms

Location in Coquimbo Region
Location in Chile
Vicuña
Location in Chile
Coordinates (city): 30°02′S 70°43′W / 30.033°S 70.717°W / -30.033; -70.717Coordinates: 30°02′S 70°43′W / 30.033°S 70.717°W / -30.033; -70.717
Country  Chile
Region  Coquimbo
Province Elqui
Vicuña February 22, 1821
Government[1]
 • Type Municipality
 • Alcalde Fernando Guamán Guamán (Independent)
Area[2]
 • Total 7,609.8 km2 (2,938.2 sq mi)
  As of 2012
Elevation 709 m (2,326 ft)
Population (2012 Census)[2]
 • Total 25,085
 • Density 3.3/km2 (8.5/sq mi)
 • Urban 12,910
 • Rural 11,100
Demonym(s) Vicuñense
Sex[2]
 • Men 12,302
 • Women 11,708
Time zone UTC−4 (CLT)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−3 (CLST)
Area code(s) 56 + 51
Website Official website (in Spanish)

Vicuña (Spanish pronunciation: [biˈkuɲa]) is a Chilean commune and city in Elqui Province, Coquimbo Region, founded during the government of Bernardo O'Higgins to secure sovereignty over the Elqui Valley. The famous Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral was born there in 1889. It shares borders to the west with the communes of La Higuera, La Serena and Andacollo, to the east with Argentina and to the south with Paihuano and Rio Hurtado. The commune is administered by the municipality of Vicuña, which is the principal city of the Valle de Elqui.

History

Vicuña was founded on February 22, 1821, by Colonel Joaquín Vicuña Larraín, who was the first intendant of Coquimbo Province, by order of Bernardo O'Higgins. He named it Villa de San Isidro de Vicuña. In 1872, it became a city simply called Vicuña, in honor of its founder.

Topography

The Vicuña commune covers an area of 7,609.8 km2 (2,938 sq mi), making it the largest commune in both the province and the Coquimbo Region, and the second-largest commune in the country.

Vicuña occupies the major part of the mid and upper Elqui River basin, and the entire length of the Turbio river.

Bauer tower in the center of Vicuña.

The area is dominated by a mountainous backdrop, and extensive plains on the valley floor, where high-quality grapes for pisco are grown, along with other fruits and vegetables.

The La Punilla, Atimonate, Balalita, Los Tilos mountain ranges contain several peaks with altitudes over 4,000 m.

Demographics

According to the 2002 census by the National Statistics Institute, the commune covers an area of 7,609.8 km2 (2,938 sq mi) and has a population of 24,010 inhabitants (12,302 male and 11,708 female). The population grew 10.8% (2,350 persons) between 1992 and 2002. There are 12,910 inhabitants in the urban area of the city of Vicuña and 11,100 in rural areas.

Economy

Vicuña is a major center for pisco production. Cooperativa Agrícola Pisquera Elqui Limitada (CAPEL) runs the main pisco distillery in the zone. Economic activity centers on the culture of grapes, fruits, cereals, and vegetables. Other industries include sheep ranching and iron and copper mining. Tourism has grown greatly in the last few years, primarily due to quality hotels and restaurants. One of the principal characteristics of Vicuña is that there are at least 300 totally clear days and nights, which is why the local Mammalluca Observatory, provides guided astronomy tours. The urban area is made up of buildings from around 1900. The city has a square of ancient trees, which displays sculptures that honor Gabriela Mistral, who was awarded the Nobel prize in literature. Other points of interest include the Temple of the Immaculate Conception; the Bauer Tower, which houses the office of tourism; and the Gabriela Mistral museums.

Tourism

Mamalluca observatory.

A few kilometres outside town is the Route of the Grappa, visiting the factories known as pisqueras: Ruta Norte, Capel, Mistral, Tres Erres and Artesanos de Cochiguaz. Also the Puclaro re, La Laguna, its natural viewpoints, the handicraft fairs and the Diaguita corner deserve a visit. Close to Vicuña one can visit picturesque townships like El Molle, El Tambo, Diaguitas, Rivadavia, Chapilca, Monte Grande and Pisco Elqui.

The Mammalluca Observatory located 9 km north of Vicuña, has tourist and education programs. At the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, only daily tourist visits are possible, the telescopic observation is not possible except for specialists and astronomers. However, at Mamalluca, it is possible to observe using the telescope, both planets and visible stars during the starry nights of the Valle de Elqui. Also,is possible to take astronomical experiences like Amatista Travels. They do observations with telescope and binoculars while you drink pisco sour. The experience has an interesting part in which you lay down in top of yoga mats to look stars and constellations of the milky way ending with a session of Tibetan singing bowls and astrophotography. [3]

Administration

The commune is administered by the alcalde Fernando Guamán Guamán (Ind.), who is advised by a municipal council of six members:[1]

  • René Ahumada Tapia (RN)
  • Simón Alquinta Sirvent (UDI)
  • Carmen Luz Rojas Araya (PRSD)
  • Silvia Piñones Rivera (PPC)
  • Mario Aros Carvajal (Ind.)
  • Leonor Ortega Wanders (PS)

Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Vicuña is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by deputies Marcelo Díaz (PS) and Mario Bertolino (RN) as a part of the 7th electoral district (together with La Serena, La Higuera, Paiguano and Andacollo). The commune is represented in the Senate by senators Evelyn Matthei (UDI) and Jorge Pizarro (PDC) as part of the 4th senatorial constituency (Coquimbo).

Sister towns

 Djibouti, Ali Sabieh

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Municipality of Vicuña" (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 October 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 "National Statistics Institute" (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  3. ↑ https://www.amatistatravels.net/ http://www.mamalluca.org/ Mamalluca Observatory] Retrieved: January 2, 2009.
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