Hualqui (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈwalki]) is a Chilean city and commune in the Concepción Province, Biobio Region. It is also part of the Greater Concepcion conurbation, although it maintains a rural profile. It had a population of 24,333 inhabitants according to the 2017 census.[3]

Hualqui
City and Commune
Mirador of Hualqui, formerly the colonial fortress
Flag Coat of arms Location of Hualqui commune in the Bío Bío Region Hualqui Location in Chile
Coordinates (city): 36°57′36″S 72°55′48″W
Country	Chile
Region	Bío Bío
Province	Concepción
Government [1][2]
• Type	Municipality
• Alcalde	Ricardo Fuentes Palma (Ind.)
Area [3]
• Total	530.5 km2 (204.8 sq mi)
Elevation	39 m (128 ft)
Population  (2017 Census)[3]
• Total	24,333
• Density	46/km2 (120/sq mi)
• Urban	20,889
• Rural	3,444
Sex [3]
• Men	11,843
• Women	12,490
Time zone	UTC−4 (CLT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−3 (CLST)
Area code(s)	56 + 41
Website	Municipality of Hualqui

Its name comes from the Moluche Aillarehue and rehue of Hualqui that existed there at the beginning of the Conquest of Chile. In 1577, the Royal Governor of Chile Rodrigo de Quiroga erected a small fort of Hualqui on the Biobío River 23 km (14 mi) from the city of Concepcion and 24 km (15 mi) to the northwest of Talcamávida at the site of the modern city and over time a small settlement grew around it. In the beginning of 1756 Governor Manuel de Amat y Juniet erected a town there, named San Juan Bautista de Gualqui. It served as capital to the Corregimiento de Puchacay and then Partido de Puchacay until 1799.

Demographics

According to the 2017 census of the National Statistics Institute, Hualqui spans an area of 530.5 km² (205 sq mi) and has 24,333 inhabitants (11,843 men and 12,490 women). Of these, 20,889 (85.8%) lived in urban areas and 3,444 (14.2%) in rural areas. The population grew by 16.2% (2,612 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.[3]

Administration

As a commune, Hualqui is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years. The 2008-2012 alcalde is Ricardo Fuentes Palma (Ind.).[1][2]

Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Hualqui is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Sergio Bobadilla (UDI) and Clemira Pacheco (PS) as part of the 45th electoral district, (together with Tomé, Penco, Florida, Coronel and Santa Juana). The commune is represented in the Senate by Alejandro Navarro Brain (MAS) and Hosain Sabag Castillo (PDC) as part of the 12th senatorial constituency (Biobío-Cordillera).

References

• Francisco Solano Asta-Buruaga y Cienfuegos, Diccionario geográfico de la República de Chile, D. Appleton y Compania, Nueva York, 1899, Pg.293 Gualqui. — Villa

External links

• (in Spanish) Municipality of Hualqui

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