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Coquimbo, Chile

Coquimbo
City and Commune
Cruz del tercer Milenio.jpg
Plaza de la ciudad de Coquimbo.JPG Domo Cultura Animas.jpg
Flag
Flag
Coat of arms
Coat of arms
Comuna de Coquimbo.svg
Location in Chile
Location in Chile
Coquimbo
Location in Chile
Coordinates (city): 29°57′11″S 71°20′36″W / 29.95306°S 71.34333°W / -29.95306; -71.34333Coordinates: 29°57′11″S 71°20′36″W / 29.95306°S 71.34333°W / -29.95306; -71.34333
Country  Chile
Region  Coquimbo
Province Elqui
Founded 1867
Government
 • Type Municipality
 • Alcalde Cristian Galleguillos Vega
Area
 • Total 1,429.3 km2 (551.9 sq mi)
Elevation 15 m (49 ft)
Population (2012 census)
 • Total 200,117
 • Density 140/km2 (360/sq mi)
 • Urban 154,316
 • Rural 8,720
Demonym(s) Coquimban
Sex
 • Men 79,428
 • Women 83,608
Time zone CLT (UTC−3)
Postal code 1780000
Area code(s) 56 + 51
Website Municipality of Coquimbo

Coquimbo is a port city, commune and capital of the Elqui Province, located on the Pan-American Highway, in the Coquimbo Region of Chile. Coquimbo is situated in a valley 10 km (6 mi) south of La Serena, with which it forms Greater La Serena with more than 400,000 inhabitants. The commune spans an area around the harbor of 1,429.3 km2 (552 sq mi). The average temperature in the city lies around 14 °C (57 °F), and precipitation is low.

The natural harbor in Coquimbo was taken over by Pedro de Valdivia from Spain in 1550. The gold and copper industry in the region led to the city's importance as a port around 1840 and many Europeans especially from England settled in Coquimbo. In 1879 it was recognized as a town.

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Coquimbo had 163,036 inhabitants (79,428 men and 83,608 women). Of these, 154,316 (94.7%) lived in urban areas and 8,720 (5.3%) in rural areas. The population grew by 32.8% (40,270 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.

As a commune, Coquimbo is a fourth-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years. The 2012-2016 alcalde is Cristian Galleguillos Vega.


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