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Osorno, Chile

Osorno
City and Commune
Montaje de Osorno, versión 2.jpg
Flag of Osorno
Flag
Coat of arms of Osorno
Coat of arms
Location of Osorno commune within Los Lagos Region
Location of Osorno commune within Los Lagos Region
Osorno is located in Chile
Osorno
Osorno
Location in Chile
Coordinates (alcalde's office): 40°34′21″S 73°08′07″W / 40.57250°S 73.13528°W / -40.57250; -73.13528Coordinates: 40°34′21″S 73°08′07″W / 40.57250°S 73.13528°W / -40.57250; -73.13528
Country Chile
Region Los Lagos
Province Osorno
Commune Osorno
Founded 1558
Government
 • Type Municipality
 • Alcalde Jaime Alberto Bertin Valenzuela (DC)
Area
 • Total 951.3 km2 (367.3 sq mi)
Elevation 35 m (115 ft)
Population (2002 Census)
 • Total 145,475
 • Estimate (2008) 160,000
 • Density 150/km2 (400/sq mi)
 • Urban 132,245
 • Rural 13,230
Demonym(s) Osornian
Sex
 • Men 70,743
 • Women 74,732
Time zone CLT (UTC−4)
 • Summer (DST) CLST (UTC−3)
Postal code 5290000
Area code(s) 56 + 64
Climate Cfb
Website Official website (Spanish)

Osorno is a city and commune in southern Chile and capital of Osorno Province in the Los Lagos Region. It had a population of 145,475, as of the 2002 census. It is located 945 kilometres (587 mi) south of the national capital of Santiago, 105 kilometres (65 mi) north of the regional capital of Puerto Montt and 260 kilometres (160 mi) west of the Argentine city of San Carlos de Bariloche, connected via International Route 215 through the Cardenal Antonio Samoré Pass.

Located at the confluence of Rahue and Damas River Osorno is the main service centre of agriculture and cattle farming in the northern Los Lagos Region. The city's cultural heritage is shaped by Spanish, Huilliche and German influences.

The city was originally planned to be founded in 1553, under the Government of Pedro de Valdivia by his companion of conquest, Lieutenant General Don Francisco de Villagra; with the name of Santa Marina de Gaete, on the site of a Huilliche village named Chauracavi. However, the death of Valdivia prevented the realization of this plan when he was about to materialize.

On March 27, 1558, the city is finally founded by the governor, García Hurtado de Mendoza; with the new name of Villa de San Mateo de Osorno, in honor of his grandfather, Count of Osorno. It was destroyed again by the indigenous Huilliche people in October 1602.


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