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| City seal |
Also called "Biobio`s Pearl"
- City Proper
222 km²
- City (2005)
- Density (city proper)
216.061 Inhabitants
975 /km²
(2000-2008)
The map of the Concepción in the Bio-Bío Region.
Concepción is a city in Chile, capital of the Bío Bío Region. Greater Concepción (including Talcahuano, San Pedro de La Paz, Hualpén and Chiguayante) is the second-largest conurbation in the country, with over one million inhabitants.
History
Concepción was founded by Pedro de Valdivia in 1550 north of the Bío-Bío River, at the site which is today known as Penco. At that time it was given the name Concepción del Nuevo Extremo. The new settlement of Concepcion was just a few kilometers north of La Frontera (The Frontier), the limit between the Chilean-Spanish territory and the land of the Mapuche, an ethnic group that was not subjugated until the 1870s. The settlement was formally recognized by the Spanish authorities as a city two years later by a royal decree and given its coat of arms which is still in existence today. The city was a significant military settlement for the Viceroyalty of Peru but was still overrun and destroyed on several occasions by Mapuche armies during the early period of Spanish colonialism.
Concepción was the home of the Real Audiencia, the most important government organization during Spanish colonial times. When the First National Government Board met in Santiago on September 18, 1810, citizens of Concepción joined up. Concepcion was used as the point of entry by the Spanish Army in the attempt by the Viceroyalty of Peru to re-conquer Chile. Concepción politicians and soldiers became a significant political force in the newly-independent country.
More than once the city has been destroyed by earthquakes and tsunamis. One in 1570, another on the 25 of May, 1751, at which point it was decided to move Concepción further from the sea to its present location in the Mocha Valley. The new site for the city of Concepción became the head city of the Intendancy of Concepción, whose jurisdiction extended from the river Maule to La Frontera. The first Intendant of Concepción was the Irishman Ambrosio O'Higgins, Marquis of Osorno, who later became Governor of Chile and Viceroy of Perú. On the 1st. of January of 1818, his son, Bernardo O'Higgins proclaimed and solemny took the oath of the Independence of Chile in the main square of Concepción, which since then is known as "Plaza de la Independencia". On February 20, 1835, the city was largely destroyed by earthquake and had to be rebuilt.
Today Concepción is the second largest city of the country. The Universidad de Concepción, founded in 1919, and with its main campus in the city became the first private university in Chile. The neighbouring harbour of Talcahuano holds the largest naval base in the country.
Cultural Life
Concepción is one of the most active cities in rock music activities. Many famous rock groups in Chile started up in Concepción.
Concepción currently has four traditional universities:
- Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción
- Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Maria
- Universidad de Concepción
- Universidad del Bío-Bío
Sports
Football is the most popular sport in Concepción. Concepción is home of three professional football teams:
- Universidad de Concepción, currently in the Chilean top division.
- Arturo Fernández Vial, currently in the Chilean second division.
- Deportes Concepción, currently in the Chilean third division.
There is also a great deal of activity from amateur teams.
Basketball is also played at professional level.
External link
"Concepción, Chile"