Talca

Talca ( ) is a city and commune in Chile located about south of Santiago, and is the capital of both Talca Province and Maule Region. It has 232,131 inhabitants¹. The city is an important economic center, with agricultural (wheat) and manufacturing activities, as well as wine production. It is also the location of the Universidad de Talca and the Catholic University of Maule, among others. The Catholic Church of Talca has held a prominent role in the history of Chile.

Talca ( ) is a city and commune in Chile located about south of Santiago, and is the capital of both Talca Province and Maule Region. It has 232,131 inhabitants. The city is an important economic center, with agricultural (wheat) and manufacturing activities, as well as wine production. It is also the location of the Universidad de Talca and the Catholic University of Maule, among others. The Catholic Church of Talca has held a prominent role in the history of Chile. ==History== The city was founded in 1692¹ by Tomás Marín de Poveda and refounded as Villa San Agustín de Talca in 1742 by José Antonio Manso de Velasco. The city played a role in Chile's independence. For example, the siege of Talca took place there on March 4, 1814, and the Battle of Cancha Rayada on March 29 and the Second battle of Cancha Rayada, on March 16. 1818. Also, on February 12, 1818, Bernardo O'Higgins signed the Chilean declaration of independence. Talca Province was founded in 1833¹. This ended the dependency of Colchagua Province. Also, Talca was a focus of insurrection during the revolutions of 1851 and 1859. Talca was partially destroyed by the 1928 Talca earthquake and the 2010 Chile earthquake, being rebuilt both times. It sits near the epicenter of the 2010 8.8 magnitude earthquake and suffered severe shaking causing the collapse of much of the historic town centre. ==Geography== The commune of Talca spans an area of . The city of Talca is located south of Santiago, south of the confluence of the rivers Lircay and Claro, in the Central Valley. The city is bisected by the Pan-American Highway. ===Climate=== Talca has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csb) with dry summers and wet winters, though it is hotter in summer and cooler in winter than coastal cities like Valparaíso and Concepción. ==Demographics== As of the 2024 census, the population is 232,131, of which 47.8% are male and 52.2% are female. People under 15 years old make up 17.4% of the population, and people over 65 years old make up 14.7%. 94.7% of the population is urban and 5.3% is rural. ==Administration== As a commune, Talca 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 2008–2012 alcalde is Juan Castro Prieto (Independent Democratic Union, centre-right). Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Talca is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Sergio Aguiló (PS) and Germán Verdugo (RN) as part of the 37th electoral district, which consists entirely of the Talca commune. The commune is represented in the Senate by Juan Antonio Coloma Correa (UDI) and Andrés Zaldívar Larraín (PDC) as part of the 10th senatorial constituency (Maule-North). ==International relations== The city of Talca hosts a series of international relations institutions, such as the Regional Unit for International Affairs (URAI) of the Regional Government of Maule, which is responsible for analyzing and managing the region’s bilateral and multilateral relations with Latin America and the rest of the world; the Regional Unit for Investment Promotion and Attraction; the Regional Office of the National Migration Service; the Regional Office of the General Directorate for Export Promotion (ProChile); the Department of Migration and International Police of the Investigations Police; and the Migrant Office of the Municipality of Talca. ==Gallery== Image:Talca plaza.JPG|A garden pavilion in Plaza de Armas (Armas Square) Image:Talca Museo.JPG|O'Higginian Historical Museum (Museo Histórico O'Higginiano) Image:Talca 1 sur.jpg|Calle Sur de Talca (Talca Southern Street) Image:28quake.jpg|Aftermath in damage at Talca Cathedral, by 1928 Talca earthquake ==See also== Agustín Abarca Maule River Descabezado Grande Radal Siete Tazas National Reserve Altos de Lircay National Reserve Juan Albano Pereira Márquez Carolina Huidobro ==References== ==External links== Municipality of Talca Urban Umbrella Architectural Exhibition Talca's Gate El aMaule La Prensa El Centro WWW.DELMAULE.CL

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