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Rancagua

Rancagua
City and Commune
Ciudad de Rancagua
Los Héroes Square, Rancagua
Los Héroes Square, Rancagua
Coat of arms of Rancagua
Coat of arms
Map of Rancagua commune in O'Higgins Region
Map of Rancagua commune in O'Higgins Region
Location in Chile
Location in Chile
Rancagua
Location in Chile
Coordinates (city): 34°10′S 70°45′W / 34.167°S 70.750°W / -34.167; -70.750Coordinates: 34°10′S 70°45′W / 34.167°S 70.750°W / -34.167; -70.750
Country  Chile
Region O'Higgins Region
Province Cachapoal Province
Foundation October 5, 1743
Government
 • Type Municipality
 • Alcalde Eduardo Soto
Area
 • Total 260.3 km2 (100.5 sq mi)
Elevation 572 m (1,877 ft)
Population (2012 Census)
 • Total 232,211
 • Density 890/km2 (2,300/sq mi)
 • Urban 206,971
 • Rural 7,373
Demonym(s) Ranquigüian
Sex
 • Men 104,879
 • Women 109,465
Time zone CLT (UTC−4)
 • Summer (DST) CLST (UTC−3)
Postal code 2820000
Area code(s) 56 (country) + 72 (city)
Police Carabineros de Chile
International airports Rancagua de la Independencia
Climate Csb
Website www.rancagua.cl (Spanish)

Rancagua (Spanish pronunciation: [raŋˈkaɣwa]) is a city and commune in central Chile and part of the Rancagua conurbation. It is the capital of the Cachapoal Province and of the O'Higgins Region, located 87 km (54 mi) south of the national capital of Santiago.

Its first name was Santa Cruz de Triana. In 2012, its population was 232,211. The main economic activities range from mining, tourism, agriculture, timber, food production and services to minor industrial activities. The city also serves as the administrative and legal center of the region.

Next to Machalí and Gultro forms the Rancagua conurbation; and next to Curicó, Talca and Concepción, is one of the most important and populated cities of the south central zone of Chile.

Rancagua was founded by José Antonio Manso de Velasco, who founded several cities in the central area of Chile. The city's original name was Villa Santa Cruz de Triana. However, before the Spaniards arrived the area was inhabited by local Picunche tribes and had also fallen briefly under the control of the Inca Empire, whose traces can still be found near the city today.

The city is famous in Chilean history as the scene of the Disaster of Rancagua of 1814, when Chilean forces fighting for independence from Spain were defeated, marking the beginning of the period known as the Reconquista (Reconquest, an attempt by Spain to regain control of Chile).


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