Hualqui


Hualqui is a Chilean city and commune in the Concepción Province, Biobio Region. It is also part of the Greater Concepcion conurbation, although it maintains a rural profile. It had a population of 24,333 inhabitants according to the 2017 census.
Its name comes from the Moluche Aillarehue and rehue of Hualqui that existed there at the beginning of the Conquest of Chile. In 1577, the Royal Governor of Chile Rodrigo de Quiroga erected a small fort of Hualqui on the Biobío River from the city of Concepcion and to the northwest of Talcamávida at the site of the modern city and over time a small settlement grew around it. In the beginning of 1756 Governor Manuel de Amat y Juniet erected a town there, named San Juan Bautista de Gualqui. It served as capital to the Corregimiento de Puchacay and then Partido de Puchacay until 1799.

Demographics

According to the 2017 census of the National Statistics Institute, Hualqui spans an area of and has 24,333 inhabitants. Of these, 20,889 lived in urban areas and 3,444 in rural areas. The population grew by 16.2% between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.

Administration

As a commune, Hualqui 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 Ricardo Fuentes Palma.
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Hualqui is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Sergio Bobadilla and Clemira Pacheco as part of the 45th electoral district,. The commune is represented in the Senate by Alejandro Navarro Brain and Hosain Sabag Castillo as part of the 12th senatorial constituency.