Country Chile Province Colchagua Demonym(s) Sanfernandian Area 2,441 km² | Region O'Higgins Elevation 89 m (292 ft) Founded 1742 | |
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Founded by José Antonio Manso de Velasco Weather 17°C, Wind W at 8 km/h, 64% Humidity Points of interest Hospital, Casa de Lircunlauta, Tinguiririca Volcano | ||
San Fernando is the capital of the province of Colchagua, in central Chile, and the second most populated urban center of the O'Higgins Region. Located close to the Tinguiririca River (a tributary of the Rapel) in a fertile valley, San Fernando sits 339 m (1,112 feet) above sea level. Founded in 1742, it became the provincial capital in 1840.
Contents
Map of San Fernando, O'Higgins Region, Chile
Culture
San Fernando is famous for its rodeos, thanks to its location at the heart of the country. The surrounding area yields wheat, forage crops, rice, legumes, and grapes. There is also a brand of Chilean wine called San Fernando. Both the Pan-American Highway and Chile's main longitudinal railroad run through San Fernando.
San Fernando is located at the northern tip of Chile's Colchagua Valley. This region is popularly known as the heart of Chilean agriculture. Here you can find the "wine route" which will take visitors on a journey from San Fernando to Santa Cruz, visiting some of Chile's most traditional vineyards.
Some major attractions in and around San Fernando include Casa Silva, a hotel, vineyard, and winery. Hacienda Los Lingues, a traditional Chilean-style, colonial home of a hacienda "patron" or owner that has been turned into a hotel and restaurant. The hacienda offers horseback riding adventures into the precordillera of the Andes.
Most major producers of fresh fruit for export are located in and around San Fernando. These include: Frusan, Unifruti, and Agricola Panagro. Within the orchards and farms of the region one can find almost every type of fresh produce; from citrus to premium quality fresh cherries.
San Fernando is also the point of departure to begin a trip to "Las Termas Del Flaco" (The thermal baths of Flaco). Flaco can be reached by travelling east of ruta 5 on the road to Puente Negro. "Las Termas" the baths are open from mid-December to April and are located in an area famous for its large populations of Tricahues, a type of native parrot, and fossilized dinosaur footprints.
Demographics
According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, San Fernando spans an area of 2,441.3 km2 (943 sq mi) and has 63,732 inhabitants (31,157 men and 32,575 women). Of these, 51,136 (80.2%) lived in urban areas and 12,596 (19.8%) in rural areas. The population grew by 13.1% (7,364 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.
Administration
As a commune, San Fernando 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 2013-2017 alcalde is Luis Antonio Berwart Araya (Independent).
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, San Fernando is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Mr. Javier Macaya (UDI) and Ms. Alejandra Sepúlveda (PDC) as part of the 34th electoral district, (together with San Fernando, Chimbarongo, San Vicente, Peumo, Pichidegua and Las Cabras). The commune is represented in the Senate by Alejandro García-Huidobro (UDI) and Juan Pablo Letelier Morel (PS) as part of the 9th senatorial constituency (O'Higgins Region).