Putre


Putre is a Chilean town and commune, capital of the Parinacota Province in the Arica-Parinacota Region. It is located east of Arica, at an altitude of. The town is backdropped by Taapaca volcanic complex.
Putre is on the edge of the Lauca National Park, and is popular with visitors to the National Park wishing to acclimatise to the altitude.
There is a historical church in Putre.
The commune also includes the localities of Socoroma, Tignamar, Belén, Chapiquiña, Pachama, Ancuta, Guallatiri, Parinacota, Chucuyo and Caquena.
On March 6, 2011, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake centered beneath Putre shook northern Chile and southern Peru, causing no injuries and only minor damage.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Putre has a tundra climate, bordering closely on a cold desert climate.

Demographics

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Putre had 1,977 inhabitants. Of these, 1,235 lived in urban areas and 742 in rural areas. The population fell by 29.5% between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.

Administration

As a commune, Putre is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by a mayor alcalde who is directly elected every four years.
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Putre is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Mr. Nino Baltolu and Mr. Orlando Vargas as part of the 1st electoral district, which includes the entire Arica and Parinacota Region.The commune is represented in the Senate by Fulvio Rossi Ciocca and Jaime Orpis Bouchon as part of the 1st senatorial constituency.