Talcahuano | |
|---|---|
Map of Talcahuano in Biobío Region | |
| Coordinates: 36°43′0″S 073°07′19″W / 36.71667°S 73.12194°W | |
| Country | Chile |
| Region | Biobío |
| Province | Concepción |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Alcalde | Gastón Saavedra Chandía (Ind.) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 145.8 km2 (56.3 sq mi) |
| Population (2002 Census) | |
| • Total | 250,348 |
| • Density | 1,700/km2 (4,400/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 248,964 |
| • Rural | 1,384 |
| Sex | |
| • Men | 121,778 |
| • Women | 128,570 |
| Time zone | UTC−4 (CLT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−3 (CLST) |
| Area code | 56 + 41 |
| Website | Municipality of Talcahuano |
Talcahuano is a commune, city and port in Chile with 171.383 inhabitants and an area of 92.3 square kilometres, all according to the census of 2002. Additionally, this city is known as the first military, industrial and fishing port in the history of Chile.
Talcahuano was declared and founded on 1764 like a port city by Antonio Guill y Gonzaga. This city and the port was well known by some American whaleships on 19th century.
The name Talcahuano comes from Talcahueñu, in honor to the Araucanian chief when Spaniards came to the zone. Talcahueñu also means Thundering Sky on mapudungun language.