Vicuña, Chile

Vicuña
City and Commune
Vicuña as seen from nearby hills.
Coat of arms Location in Coquimbo Region Vicuña Location in Chile
Coordinates (city): 33°00′S 71°31′W / 33.000°S 71.517°W / -33.000; -71.517Coordinates: 33°00′S 71°31′W / 33.000°S 71.517°W / -33.000; -71.517
Country	Chile
Region	Coquimbo
Province	Elqui
Vicuña	February 22, 1821
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Alcalde	Fernando Guamán Guamán (Independent)
Area
• Total	7,609.8 km2 (2,938.2 sq mi)
Elevation	709 m (2,326 ft)
Population (2012 Census)
• Total	25,085
• Density	3.3/km2 (8.5/sq mi)
• Urban	12,910
• Rural	11,100
Demonym(s)	Vicuñense
Sex
• Men	12,302
• Women	11,708
Time zone	CLT (UTC−4)
• Summer (DST)	CLST (UTC−3)
Area code(s)	56 + 51
Website	Official website (Spanish)

Vicuña (Spanish pronunciation: [biˈkuɲa]) is a Chilean commune and city in Elqui Province, Coquimbo Region, founded during the government of Bernardo O'Higgins to secure sovereignty over the Elqui Valley. The famous Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral was born there in 1889. It shares borders to the west with the communes of La Higuera, La Serena and Andacollo, to the east with Argentina and to the south with Paihuano and Rio Hurtado. The commune is administered by the municipality of Vicuña, which is the principal city of the Valle de Elqui.

Vicuña was founded on February 22, 1821, by Colonel Joaquín Vicuña Larraín, who was the first intendant of Coquimbo Province, by order of Bernardo O'Higgins. He named it Villa de San Isidro de Vicuña. In 1872, it became a city simply called Vicuña, in honor of its founder.

The Vicuña commune covers an area of 7,609.8 km² (2,938 sq mi), making it the largest commune in both the province and the Coquimbo Region, and the second-largest commune in the country.

Vicuña occupies the major part of the mid and upper Elqui River basin, and the entire length of the Turbio river.