Rancagua

Infobox City
official_name = Rancagua, Chile
language = Spanish


imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

image_shield =


mapsize = 200px
map_caption = Location of Rancagua commune in O'Higgins region
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = bottom
pushpin_map_caption =Location in Chile
pushpin_mapsize = 80
subdivision_type = Region
subdivision_name = O'Higgins Region
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Cachapoal Province
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Carlos Arellano
established_title = Foundation
established_date = October 5 1743
unit_pref = Metric
area_as_of = 2002
area_magnitude =
area_footnotes =
area_total_sq_mi =
area_total_km2 = 260.3
population_as_of = 2002
population_note =
population_total = 214,344
population_footnotes =
population_metro =
population_urban =
population_density_km2 = 824.4
population_density_sq_mi =
timezone = Chile Time (CLT) [cite web |url=http://www.world-time-zones.org/zones/chile-time.htm |accessdate=2007-05-05 |title=Chile Time |publisher=World Time Zones .org]
utc_offset = -4
timezone_DST = Chile Summer Time (CLST) [cite web |url=http://www.world-time-zones.org/zones/chile-summer-time.htm |accessdate=2007-05-05 |title=Chile Summer Time |publisher=World Time Zones .org]
utc_offset_DST = -3
latd=34 |latm=10 |lats=0 |latNS=S
longd=70 |longm=45 |longs=0 |longEW=W
elevation_m =
elevation_ft =
website = [http://www.rancagua.cl/ rancagua.cl]
footnotes =

Rancagua is a city in central Chile, located 87 km south of Santiago. It is the capital of the Cachapoal Province and of the O'Higgins Region. It has a population of 206,971 (2002 census). The main economic activities range from mining activity, tourism, agriculture, wood industry, food production and services to minor industrial activities. The city also serves as the administrative and legal center of the region.

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.

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" (an attempt by Spain to regain control of Chile).

In recent years the city has become one of the most attractive cultural and tourist centers in the O'Higgins Region mainly due to the vineyards in the area. There are also some archeological sites, sport centers and easy access to smaller and more typical villages and towns.

The city connects with Santiago via the Panamerican Highway (Ruta 5 Sur). The Metrotren connects the metro service in Santiago to Rancagua by train.

Rancagua is home of the University of Rancagua, the first private university to be established in the O'Higgins Region.

Rancagua is also known for the "Largest Underground Copper Mine in the World" called El Teniente, located about 40 km to the east of the city in the Andes mountain range. El Teniente is a division of the state-owned mining enterprise, Codelco.

The city's Braden Copper Stadium was one of the four venues of the 1962 football (soccer) World Cup. Nowadays, it houses the O'Higgins professional soccer club, one of the leading teams in Chilean professional soccer. In this city every year takes place the National Championship of Chilean rodeo in the Medialuna Monumental de Rancagua.

ee also

*Medialuna de Rancagua
*Instituto O'Higgins
*Sewell, Chile

References

External links

* [http://www.rancagua.cl/ Official City Website] (in Spanish)
* [http://www.unir.cl/ University of Rancagua Official Website] (in Spanish)
* [http://www.elrancaguino.cl/ Official Newspaper`s City Website] (in Spanish)
* [http://www.laceleste.cl/ Non-Official Website of Rancagua`s Soccer Team] (in Spanish)