Collipulli


Collipulli is a city and commune forming part of the Malleco Province in the Araucanía Region in southern Chile. Its name means "coloured lands" in the Mapuche language spoken in the area. It has a population of 22,354 and an area of. Its current mayor is Manuel Macaya Ramírez.

History

On 22 November 1867, the city was founded as a military fort during the Occupation of Araucanía. No traces of the fort remain today. The fort was protected by defensive ditches and wooden stakes, and was supported by a series of bridges placed over the Malleco River and its tributaries. Other forts were established in the area, and settlers soon followed, developing the land for agriculture.
, a National Monument located in Collipulli.
The Malleco Viaduct, today a National Monument, was officially opened on 26 October 1890, by President Manuel Balmaceda. The viaduct served as a rapid and effective transportation system for trade and commerce. It sustained some damage in the major earthquake of 27 February 2010.

Present day

Collipulli's economy relies on farming, forestry, and services. Although the majority of the land is suitable for agriculture, an increasing area has been given to forestry in recent years. Mario Garbarini helped to found the firefighters company and was well known in Collipulli.

Demographics

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Collipulli spans an area of and has 22,354 inhabitants. Of these, 16,006 lived in urban areas and 6,348 in rural areas. The population fell by 1.8% between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.

Administration

As a commune, Collipulli 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 Leopoldo Rosales Neira.
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Collipulli is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Gonzalo Arenas and Mario Venegas as part of the 48th electoral district,. The commune is represented in the Senate by Alberto Espina Otero and Jaime Quintana Leal as part of the 14th senatorial constituency.