Yerbas Buenas
Yerbas Buenas is a Chilean commune in the Province of Linares, in the central zone of Chile, belonging to the Maule Region, and the town that serves as the capital of the commune, located 12 kilometers northeast of the city of Linares, the provincial capital.
Yerbas Buenas | |
|---|---|
Town and Commune | |
 Flag  Coat of arms  Location of the Yerbas Buenas commune in the Maule Region   Yerbas Buenas Location in Chile | |
| Coordinates (city): 35°45′S 71°34′W / 35.750°S 71.567°W | |
| Country | Chile |
| Region | Maule |
| Province | Linares |
| Founded | 1744 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Mayor | Luis Cadegan Moran (IND) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 262.1 km2 (101.2 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 136 m (446 ft) |
| Population (2012 Census)[3] | |
| • Total | 16,738 |
| • Density | 64/km2 (170/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 1,595 |
| • Rural | 14,539 |
| Demonym | Yerbabuenino |
| Sex | |
| • Men | 8,380 |
| • Women | 7,754 |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (CLT[4]) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (CLST[5]) |
| Area code | 56 + 73 |
| Website | Official website |
It has a very outstanding architectural and historical heritage and is a true example of a Chilean colonial rural village, preserving the atmosphere of that time and enriching the cultural heritage of the province, the region and the country.
The commune, one of the smallest in the region, has 262 km² and is located entirely within the intermediate depression. It borders to the north with San Clemente (Talca Province); to the south, with Linares; to the west, with Villa Alegre and San Javier, and to the east, with Colbún.
Together with the communes of Cauquenes, Chanco, Colbún, Linares, Longaví, Parral, Pelluhue, Retiro, San Javier, Villa Alegre, it integrates the 18th district (deputies), and the 9th District (senators) that covers the entire Maule Region.
Demographics
changeThe commune of Yerbas Buenas covers an area of 262.1 km² and a population of 16,134 inhabitants (INE census 2002), corresponding to 1.61% of the total population of the region and a density of 61.56 inhabitants/km². Of the total population, 7,754 are women (48.06%) and 8,380 are men (51.94%). 90.11% (14,539 inhabitants) corresponds to the rural population, and 9.89% (1,595 inhabitants) corresponds to the urban population.
It is one of the communes that grew the most in the province between the 1992 and 2002 censuses. This is partly due to its proximity to the provincial capital, of which the southernmost sector of the Yerbas Buenas commune is becoming a suburb, favoured by more affluent groups of residents. Another demographic attraction is the northern end of the commune, but for another reason: the location there of the CMPC Cartulinas Maule industry.
History
changeYerbas Buenas was formed with the construction of its first church in 1785 and families began to build their homes around it. On April 27, 1813, Yerbas Buenas stands out in the history of the country, as it is here that the event that marks the beginning of Chile's independence occurred: "The Surprise of Yerbas Buenas", a battle in which a significant part of the Royalist Army and a handful of Patriots faced each other for the first time.
Around 1835, the incipient village of Yerbas Buenas, with only 6 houses built around the church, was hit by an earthquake that completely destroyed its buildings. Only the house of the Contreras family was saved, which remains standing today and houses the current Historical Museum. After this great earthquake, the village took on the character of a town, with the arrival of new families such as the Astete, Muñoz Olave, Bobadilla, Ferrada, etc., who were the driving forces and precursors of a new era.
Thanks to the work of the architect and parish priest in charge of the village, Don Heráclito Merino, the second church was built between 1886 and 1900. This building, designed by the same priest, was eclectic in style, with Gothic details predominating, becoming one of the most imposing buildings at that time for the town and region. The construction was made up of 2 enormous towers 40 meters high and at the time, it was the second most important ecclesiastical construction after that of Concepción.
In 1891, President Jorge Montt promulgated the Decree for the creation of 195 Municipalities throughout Chile, one of them being our beloved Yerbas Buenas. As a Municipality and autonomous Commune, it was established on December 22, 1891, with its founder and first Mayor Don Estanislao Astete Osses.
In 1913, the commune celebrated one of the greatest milestones of the time: the Centennial of the Surprise of Yerbas Buenas, with José Miguel Ferrada as mayor at that time. There were great celebrations and the construction of the first railroad that ran through Yerbas Buenas and other surrounding communes began.
Around 1925, during the celebration of the month of Mary, another important event for the commune occurred. The magnificent and imposing Church, only 25 years old, was consumed by a devastating fire that started in one of the towers. The Linares Fire Department attended the scene, and upon arrival they found that only the walls of the temple remained, cracked and blackened by fire and smoke.
Finally, it is important to mention that the town suffered devastating effects during the earthquake of February 27, 2010, destroying part of the architectural heritage that was located on the main streets of the commune, but over time it has managed to get back on its feet and return to the splendor that has characterized Yerbas Buenas since its beginnings.
Administration
changeThe mayor of Yerbas Buenas is Luis Cadegan Moran (IND).
The members of the communal council are the following:
- Rafael Viguera Gonzáles (PPD)
- Ariel Ruiz Villalobos (PDC)
- María Cristina Zehender Soto (PDC)
- Rodrigo González Villalobos (RN)
- José Miguel Parra Parada (UDI)
- Naida Donoso Tello (UDI)
See also
changeReferences
change- ↑ "Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades" (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ↑ "Municipality of Yerbas Buenas" (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "National Statistics Institute" (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ↑ "Chile Time". WorldTimeZones.org. Archived from the original on 13 July 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ↑ "Chile Summer Time". WorldTimeZones.org. Archived from the original on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2010.