Tirúa (Spanish pronunciation: [tiˈɾu.a]) is a Chilean commune and town in Arauco Province, Biobío Region. The 2010 Chile earthquake led to a permanent uplift of Tirúa of about 180 cm above sea level, the highest recorded uplift related to the earthquake.[6] This caused a large islet to form at the mouth of Tirúa River next to the town.[6] The Misión Jesuita Mapuche is based in Tirúa.

Tirúa
Aerial view of Tirúa
Aerial view of Tirúa
Coat of arms
Map of the Tirúa commune in the Biobío Region
Map of the Tirúa commune in the Biobío Region
Location in Chile
Location in Chile
Tirúa
Location in Chile
Coordinates (town): 38°20′29″S 73°29′28″W / 38.34139°S 73.49111°W / -38.34139; -73.49111
CountryChile
RegionBiobío
ProvinceArauco
Founded1865
Founded asFuerte Tirúa (Fort Tirúa)
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • AlcaldeJosé Aniñir Lepicheo (RN)
Area
 • Total624.4 km2 (241.1 sq mi)
Elevation
14 m (46 ft)
Population
 (2012 Census)[3]
 • Total9,644
 • Density15/km2 (40/sq mi)
 • Urban
2,508
 • Rural
7,156
Sex
 • Men5,028
 • Women4,636
Time zoneUTC-4 (CLT[4])
 • Summer (DST)UTC-3 (CLST[5])
Area code56 + 41
ClimateCsb
Websitewww.munitirua.cl

Demographics

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According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Tirúa spans an area of 624.4 km2 (241 sq mi) and has 9,664 inhabitants (5,028 men and 4,636 women). Of these, 2,508 (26%) lived in urban areas and 7,156 (74%) in rural areas. Between the 1992 and 2002 censuses, the population grew by 10.6% (928 persons).[3]

Administration

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As a commune, Tirúa 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 2017-2021 alcalde is Adolfo Millabur Ñancuil (Ind).[1][2]

Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Tirúa is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Manuel Monsalve Benavides (Socialist Party of Chile) and Iván Norambuena Farías (Independent Democratic Union) as part of the 46th electoral district, together with Lota, Lebu, Arauco, Curanilahue, Los Álamos, Cañete and Contulmo. The commune is represented in the Senate by Felipe Harboe Bascuñán from PPD and Víctor Pérez Varela of UDI as part of the 13th senatorial constituency (Biobío-Coast).

References

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  1. ^ a b "Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Municipality of Tirúa" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d "National Statistics Institute" (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  4. ^ "Chile Time". WorldTimeZones.org. Archived from the original on 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
  5. ^ "Chile Summer Time". WorldTimeZones.org. Archived from the original on 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
  6. ^ a b Quezada, Jorge; Jaque, Edilia; Catalán, Nicole; Belmonte, Arturo; Fernández, Alfonso; Isla, Federico (2020). "Unexpected coseismic surface uplift at Tirúa-Mocha Island area of south Chile before and during the Mw 8.8 Maule 2010 earthquake: a possible upper plate splay fault". Andean Geology. 47 (2). National Geology and Mining Service. doi:10.5027/andgeoV47n2-3057. hdl:11336/128966.
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