Colchagua Province
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Colchagua Province is a province of central Chile, in O'Higgins Region, bounded on the north by Cachapoal province, on the east by the Argentine Republic, on the south by Curicó Province, and on the west by Cardenal Caro province. Its capital is San Fernando.
O'Higgins Region of Chile. Highlighted in red: Colchagua province
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[edit] Geography
The area of Colchagua is officially estimated at 5,678 km²; and the population (2002 Census) at 182,330. Extending across the central valley of Chile, the province has a considerable area devoted to traditional agriculture and wine-growing. Its principal rivers are the Rapel River and its tributary, the Tinguiririca.
[edit] Municipalities
The province is composed by 10 comunas (or municipalities):
[edit] Towns
The principal towns are San Fernando, the provincial capital, Santa Cruz, Chimbarongo, Nancagua and Palmilla. San Fernando is one of the several towns founded in 1742 by the governor-general José Antonio Manso de Velasco, and had a population of 64,000 in 2002.
[edit] Roads and Rail
The state central railway (EFE) from Santiago to the south crosses the province and has a regular stop in San Fernando. It used to have a branch running from San Fernando via Palmilla to Pichilemu on the coast. This is now closed, although one section of it has recently opened a limited service aimed at the tourist trade.
The more local Metrotrén service runs between Santiago and San Fernando stopping at most of the towns in between. There are frequent trains between these two points.
The Pan-American Highway runs through the San Fernando comuna, passing close to the east side of the town.
[edit] References
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