Concepción, Chile is the capital of Chile's Concepción Province and is the second largest urban area in the country behind the national capital of Santiago. Greater Concepcion's urban region includes Talcahuano, San Pedro de la Paz, Hualpén, Chiguayante, Penco, Tomé, Lota, Coronel, Hualqui and Concepción and has a 2002 estimated population of 889,725 residents. The city of Concepción on its own is Chile's 11th largest with a population of 212,003.
Most recently Concepción has been in the news because on February 27, 2010, the city was severely damaged after a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck the region near Chile's coast about 70 miles (115 km) from the city.
The following is a list of ten geographic facts to know about Concepción, Chile:
1) Concepción was founded in 1550 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia north of what is present-day Penco near Chile's Bío-Bío River. At its founding, the city was called Concepción del Nuevo Extremo.
2) Early after its founding, Concepción became a significant military town for what was then the Kingdom of Chile. However it was destroyed and re-established several times in wars the mid-1550's. Concepción was formally re-reestablished in 1558 and it again became a military outpost and grew rapidly.
3) In 1570, 1657, 1687, and 1730, Concepción was destroyed by large earthquakes and tsunamis. After each event, the city was rebuilt, but following a large earthquake on May 24, 1751, the entire city was moved to Valle de la Mocha where it is located today. Settlement in Concepción's prior location was prohibited until 1842, when Penco was founded.
4) During the Chilean War of Independence, Concepción's main square was used by Bernardo O'Higgins for the oath of the Chilean War of Independence. Since then the square has been called the "Plaza de la Independencia."
5) Concepción's current location in the Valle de la Mocha is on a plain on the north shore of Chile's Bío-Bío River and although the city was moved due to its prior location being prone to earthquakes, they are still common in the current region. In 1939, 1960 and 2010, much of the city was damaged by large earthquakes.
6) Concepción's climate is relatively mild in the summer and although snow is possible in the winter it rarely stays on the ground. Concepcion's average January high is 70°F (21°C) and the July low is 40°F (4°C).
7) Concepción is considered an educational center of Chile and has three of the country's major universities.
8) The economy of Concepción is focused on manufacturing but the city is also a center for product distribution, the service industry and finance for its region.
9) Local trade between citizens is also a major part of Concepción's economic base and several trading centers are located around the city. Most of the trade however, is focused in Independence Square.
10) Concepción has a strong focus on sports and five professional soccer (football) teams are located in the city.
To learn more about Concepción, visit About.com's Go South America site.
References
Hamre, Bonnie. (n.d.) "Concepcion, Chile." About.com South America Travel. Retrieved from: http://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/chisurconcepcion/p/Concepcion.htm
Wikipedia. (2010, March 25). "Concepcion, Chile." Concepcion, Chile - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concepci%C3%B3n,_Chile