Purranque is a city in the Chilean Los Lagos Region, which lies on the Pan-American Highway about 65 km (40 mi) north of Puerto Montt. It is part of the Osorno Province.
Purranque | |
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 Map of Purranque commune in Los Lagos Region   Purranque Location in Chile | |
| Coordinates (city): 40°55′S 73°10′W / 40.917°S 73.167°W | |
| Country | Chile |
| Region | Los Lagos |
| Province | Osorno |
| Villa Lo Burgos de Purranquil | April 18, 1911 |
| Founded by | Tomás Burgos |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Alcalde | César Negrón Schwerter (PS) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,458.8 km2 (563.2 sq mi) |
| Population (2002 Census)[2] | |
| • Total | 20,705 |
| • Density | 14/km2 (37/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 13,265 |
| • Rural | 7,440 |
| Sex | |
| • Men | 10,354 |
| • Women | 10,351 |
| Time zone | UTC−4 (CLT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−3 (CLST) |
| Area code | 56 + 64 |
| Climate | Cfb |
History
editThe first ethnically identifiable inhabitants of the area were Huilliches, an indigenous people, and the land belonged to Cacique (Chief) Raylef, who was known as "Cacique Don Raylef de Purranquil"; Purranquil meaning in Mapudungun language “bush land”.
The present city was founded on April 18, 1911 as ""Villa Lo Burgos de Purranquil"", by Tomás Burgos, in a plot of land 45 km (28 mi) south of Osorno, along the railroad line between that city and Puerto Montt. On November 24, 1941 the town was elevated to the category of city by law 6402.
Geography
editClimate
editIt is classified as oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfb), on summer, the temperature reaches to 23°C, on winter are cold in Purranque, the temperature reaches to 4°C, frost are common on winter.
Tourism
editThe city is served by Canal Bajo Carlos Hott Siebert Airport, located near Osorno, and the El Tepual International Airport, located near Puerto Montt.
Demographics
editAccording to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Purranque spans an area of 1,458.8 km2 (563 sq mi) and has 20,705 inhabitants (10,354 men and 10,351 women). Of these, 13,265 (64.1%) lived in urban areas and 7,440 (35.9%) in rural areas. The population grew by 2.6% (529 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.[2]
Administration
editAs a commune, Purranque 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 César Negrón Schwerter (PS).[1]
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Purranque is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Fidel Espinoza (PS) and Carlos Recondo (UDI) as part of the 56th electoral district, together with Puyehue, Río Negro, Puerto Octay, Fresia, Frutillar, Llanquihue, Puerto Varas and Los Muermos. The commune is represented in the Senate by Camilo Escalona Medina (PS) and Carlos Kuschel Silva (RN) as part of the 17th senatorial constituency (Los Lagos Region).
Education
editPreviously the area had a German school, Deutsche Schule Purranque.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Municipality of Purranque" (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 November 2010.
- ^ a b c d "National Statistics Institute" (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 November 2010.
- ^ "Deutscher Bundestag 4. Wahlperiode Drucksache IV/3672" (Archive). Bundestag (West Germany). 23 June 1965. Retrieved on 12 March 2016. p. 23/51.
External links
edit- Municipality of Purranque (Official city webpage) (in Spanish)
- Diario Austral de Osorno (newspaper of the area) (in Spanish)
- Tourist information about the city (in Spanish)