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Los Ríos Region

Los Ríos Region
XIV Región de Los Ríos
Region of Chile
Skyline of Los Ríos Region
Flag of Los Ríos Region
Flag
Coat of Arms of Los Ríos Region
Coat of arms
Map of Los Ríos Region
Map of Los Ríos Region
Coordinates: 39°48′30″S 73°14′30″W / 39.80833°S 73.24167°W / -39.80833; -73.24167Coordinates: 39°48′30″S 73°14′30″W / 39.80833°S 73.24167°W / -39.80833; -73.24167
Country  Chile
Capital Valdivia
Provinces Valdivia, Ranco
Government
 • Intendant Egon Montecinos
Area
 • Total 18,429.5 km2 (7,115.7 sq mi)
Area rank 11
Lowest elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Population (2012 census)
 • Total 364,183
 • Rank 10
 • Density 20/km2 (51/sq mi)
ISO 3166 code CL-LR
Website Official website

The XIV Los Ríos Region (Spanish: XIV Región de Los Ríos, literally in English: XIV Region of the Rivers) is one of Chile's 15 regions, the country's first-order administrative divisions. Its capital is Valdivia. It began to operate as a region on October 2, 2007, having been created by subdividing the Los Lagos Region in southern Chile. It consists of two provinces: Valdivia and the newly created Ranco Province, which was formerly part of Valdivia Province.

The region's economy is based on forestry, cattle farming, tourism, manufacturing, and services. Key industries include the Valdivia Pulp Mill, Valdivia's shipyards, and the dairy facilities located in La Unión.

The population of the region was 363,887 according to the 2012 census. About half of the population lives in the commune of Valdivia.

The capital of region is Valdivia and its 12 communes are distributed between 2 provinces. These are:

Valdivia is part of Northern Patagonia as its wild virgin forest embrace the Patagonian Cordillera following the river Calle Calle down to the Pacific Ocean. It is known in Patagonia the term " Bosque Valdiviano" referring to the primitive virgin forest found in the cordillera valleys of Valdivia which include dense masses of native trees. These Forest are present in some parts of Northern Patagonia both in Chile and Argentina.

In the last census, of 2002, Los Ríos Region (then Valdivia Province) registered a population of 356,396 inhabitants. By this number the region is ranked 10th among Chile's 15 regions and has a share of 2.35% of the national total. The current population projection to 2010 is of 380,000 inhabitants. The regions rural population represents 32% of the total, which is explained by the fact that almost half of the population lives in the city of Valdivia and that the cities of Río Bueno and La Unión have together 50,000 inhabitants. This percentage of rural population is well above the national average which is of 13.4%. The population of Los Ríos has a relatively high percentage of people who self-identify as indigenous of 11.3% it means 40,515 persons. To compare, the national average is of 4.58%.


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