Linares, Chile

Chilean city

Linares is a Chilean city and commune in the Maule Region, in the Chilean Central Valley. Linares is the capital city of the province of Linares.

Linares
Linares cathedral
Cathedral of Linares
Flag
Coat of arms
Location in the Maule Region
Location in Chile
Location in Chile
Linares
Location in Chile
Coordinates: 35°51′S 71°36′W / 35.850°S 71.600°W / -35.850; -71.600
CountryChile
RegionMaule
ProvinceLinares
Founded23 May 1794
Founded asVilla de San Ambrosio de Linares
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • MayorRolando Rentería Möller
Area
 • Total1,465.7 km2 (565.9 sq mi)
Elevation
165 m (541 ft)
Population
 (2002)[2]
 • Total83,249
 • Density57/km2 (150/sq mi)
 • Urban
68,224
 • Rural
15,025
DemonymLinarense
Time zoneUTC-4 (CLT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-3 (CLST)
Postal code
3580000
WebsiteOfficial website

History change

Linares was founded on 23 May 23 1794, as the "Villa de San Ambrosio de Linares" by Ambrosio O'Higgins, father of Bernardo O'Higgins. O'Higgins was then "Captain General" (a military governor) of Chile and Francisco de la Mata Linares was the Governor of Concepción.[3]

In 1873, the province of Linares was created from the old province of Maule; it had three departments: Linares, Parral and Loncomilla.[4]

In 1927, Linares was eliminated as a province and became part of the new province of Maule but, in 1936, Linares was made again a province with the same departments. When the regions were created in 1975, the Maule region was formed with the Curicó, Linares, Maule and Talca provinces.[4]

Population change

As of 2002 (last national census), there were 83,249 people (40,518 men and 42,731 women) living in the commune, giving it a population density of 57.1 inhabitants/km². The urban population was 68,224 persons (82% of the total).[2]

The people from Linares are called Linarenses, both men and women.

Geography change

 
Main Square, Linares

The commune has an area of 1,466.7 km2 (566.3 sq mi) and the city proper, 16.16 km2 (6.2 sq mi).[2]

The city of Linares is at 303 km (188 mi) south of Santiago and 50 km (31 mi) south of Talca, the regional capital.

The rivers Ancoa, Putagán and Achibueno are the main rivers that flow through the commune or form its natural borders.

Most of the territory of the commune is within the central plain (Valle Central de Chile). Some low hills are in the most western part of the commune, while its most eastern part is marked by the presence of the foothills of the Andes mountains.

The commune of Linares is bordered on the west by San Javier; on the north by Villa Alegre, Yerbas Buenas and Colbún; on the east, by Colbún, and on the south, by Longaví.

Climate change

The climate of Linares is a mild Mediterranean climate, Csb in the Köppen climate classification.[5]

The average amount of precipitation for the year in Linares is 696 mm (27.4 in). The month with the most precipitation on average is June with 185.4 mm (7.3 in) of precipitation. The month with the least precipitation on average is February with an average of 2.5 mm (0.1 in).

The average temperature for the year in Linares is 14.4 °C (57.9 °F). The warmest month, on average, is January with an average temperature of 21.1 °C (70.0 °F). The coolest month on average is July, with an average temperature of 8.3 °C (46.9 °F).

Climate data for Linares, Chile
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 30
(86)
29
(84)
25
(77)
21
(70)
16
(61)
12
(54)
12
(54)
14
(57)
17
(63)
20
(68)
24
(75)
28
(82)
21
(69)
Daily mean °C (°F) 21
(70)
20
(68)
17
(63)
13
(55)
11
(52)
8
(46)
7
(45)
9
(48)
11
(52)
13
(55)
16
(61)
20
(68)
14
(57)
Average low °C (°F) 12
(54)
12
(54)
9
(48)
6
(43)
6
(43)
5
(41)
3
(37)
4
(39)
5
(41)
7
(45)
9
(48)
12
(54)
8
(46)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 20
(0.8)
40
(1.6)
160
(6.3)
180
(7.1)
40
(1.6)
100
(3.9)
80
(3.1)
20
(0.8)
10
(0.4)
690
(27.2)
Source: Weatherbase.com [1]

Main sights change

 
Heart of Mary church

The city and its surroundings have many attractions, for example:

  • The Cathedral Church of San Ambrosio de Linares. The Cathedral of Linares]was built after the old cathedral had been destroyed by an earthquake..
  • The Corazón de María ("Heart of Mary") church — a church declared a National Monument for its Gothic style and beauty
  • The Museo de Arte y Artesanía (Museum of Arts and Crafts)

Some natural attractions in the surrounding area include the piedmont of the Andes mountains, with forests of pines and other trees; lakes (the artificial Colbún lake); rivers, and good camping and hiking areas.

Economy change

Linares is an important agricultural, industrial and financial center of the region.

Related pages change

References change

  1. "Concejo Municipal". Municipality of Linares (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Región de Maule" (PDF). Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  3. "Historia". Municipality of Linares (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Nuestra Provincia Linares". Gobernación - Provincia de Linares (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  5. "Linares, Chile - Köppen Climate Classification". Weatherbase. Retrieved 15 October 2016.

Other websites change