Chillán

{{Short description|Capital city of the Ñuble Region, Chile}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Chillán |other_name = <ref name="Official">{{Cite web |url = http://www.municipalidadchillan.cl/ |title = Municipality of Chillán |access-date = 7 February 2011 |language = es |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111013052944/http://www.municipalidadchillan.cl/ |archive-date = 13 October 2011 |url-status = dead }}</ref> |settlement_type = City and Commune |image_skyline = Collage Chillan.jpg |image_caption = <small>Clockwise, from top: Chillán Cathedral, Nelson Oyarzún Arenas Stadium, puente ferroviario de Ñuble, Statue of Bernardo O'Higgins, panoramic view of the city at sunset.</small> |image_flag = |image_shield = Escudo de Chillán.svg |image_map = Comuna de Chillán.svg |map_caption = Location of the Chillán commune in the Ñuble Region |map_alt = Location of the Chillán commune in the Ñuble Region |pushpin_map = Chile | pushpin_map_narrow = yes |pushpin_label_position = bottom |pushpin_map_caption = Location in Chile |coordinates = {{coord|36|36|S|72|07|W|region:CL-BI|display=inline,title}} |coor_pinpoint = |coordinates_footnotes = |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = Chile |subdivision_type1 = Region |subdivision_name1 = Ñuble |subdivision_type2 = Province |subdivision_name2 = Diguillín | government_footnotes = <ref name="Official"/><ref name="Munitel">{{Cite web |url = http://www.municipalidadchillan.cl/ |title = Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades |access-date = 7 February 2011 |language = es |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111013052944/http://www.municipalidadchillan.cl/ |archive-date = 13 October 2011 |url-status = dead }}</ref> | government_type = Municipality | leader_title = Alcalde | leader_party = PPD | leader_name = Camilo Benavente |established_title = Founded |established_date = 1580 |founder = Martín Ruiz de Gamboa |unit_pref = Metric |area_footnotes = <ref name="INE">{{cite web |url= http://www.ine.cl/canales/chile_estadistico/censos_poblacion_vivienda/censo_pobl_vivi.php |title= National Statistics Institute |access-date=9 September 2010|language=es}}</ref> |area_total_km2 = 511.2 |population_footnotes = <ref name="INE"/> |population_total = 174777 |population_as_of = 2012 Census |population_density_km2 = auto |population_demonym = ''Chillanejo'' or ''Chillanense'' |population_rank = |population_blank1_title = Urban |population_blank1 = 148015 |population_blank2_title = Rural |population_blank2 = 13938 |demographics_type1 = Sex |demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="INE"/> |demographics1_title1 = Men |demographics1_info1 = 77,007 |demographics1_title2 = Women |demographics1_info2 = 84,946 |timezone = CLT | utc_offset = −4 |timezone_DST = CLST | utc_offset_DST = −3 |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m = 124 |postal_code_type = Postal code |postal_code = 3780000 |area_code = ''country'' + ''city'' = 56 + 42<ref>[http://www.aproxima.es/llamadas/chile-chillan-4.html Call prefix for Chillán]</ref> |blank_name = Climate |blank_info = Csb |website = [http://www.municipalidadchillan.cl/ Official website] {{in lang|es}} |footnotes = }}

'''Chillán''' ({{IPA|es|tʃiˈʝan}}) is the capital city of Ñuble Region, Diguillín Province, Chile, located about {{convert|400|km|0|abbr=on}} south of the country's capital, Santiago,<ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Chillán|volume=6|page=161}}</ref> near the center of the country. It has been the capital of the new Ñuble Region since 6 September 2015. Within the city is a railway station, an intercity bus terminal named María Teresa, and a regimental military base. The city features a modern, enclosed shopping centre in addition to the Chillán Market, an iconic multi-block, open-air farmers' market and street fair where fruits, vegetables, crafts, clothing and other goods are sold. The nearby mountains, such as in Laguna del Laja National Park (Spanish: ''Parque Nacional Laguna del Laja'') and the ''Nevados de Chillán'' (English: 'snowy peaks of Chillán') are popular destinations for skiing, hiking and their hot springs.

Founded by the Spanish in 1580, the city withstood numerous early attacks by the indigenous Mapuche and Pehuenche, among other peoples, who were vehemently opposed to Spanish colonialism. Over time, Chillán became an important marketplace and settlement area for spanish colonizers and their Criollos descendants. Many goods from Patagonia and the Argentine Pampas were brought into Chillán across the mountain passes of the area. In the early 19th century, the countryside of Chillán was ravaged by the Chilean War of Independence and a subsequent banditry epidemic.<ref>Villalobos, Sergio; Silva, Osvaldo; Silva, Fernando; Estelle, Patricio (1974). ''Historia De Chile'' (14th ed.). Editorial Universitaria. {{ISBN|956-11-1163-2}}, pp. 406–413</ref> In 1939, the city was devastated by a large earthquake, prompting the government to initiate an extensive reconstruction program.

==History==

The zone where Chillán was built was previously inhabited by indigenous people called Chiquillanes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.icarito.cl/enciclopedia/articulo/primer-ciclo-basico/historia-geografia-y-ciencias-sociales/identidad-y-diversidad-cultural/2009/12/45-5015-9-chiquillanes-pehuenches-y-tehuelches.shtml |title=- Chiquillanes, pehuenches y tehuelches, pueblos aborígenes chilenos |access-date=2016-02-02 |archive-date=2015-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020120426/http://www.icarito.cl/enciclopedia/articulo/primer-ciclo-basico/historia-geografia-y-ciencias-sociales/identidad-y-diversidad-cultural/2009/12/45-5015-9-chiquillanes-pehuenches-y-tehuelches.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>

According to Friar Ernesto Wilhelm de Moesbach Chillán is etymologically derived from "chilla", an indigenous word for the South American gray fox.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Voz de Arauco |last=de Moesbach |first=Ernesto Wilhelm |publisher=Ceibo |year=2016 |isbn=978-956-359-051-7 |location=Santiago |pages=56 |language=Spanish |orig-date=1944}}</ref>

Chillán was founded in 1580 at the site of Chillán Viejo as '''San Bartolomé de Chillán''' by Martín Ruiz de Gamboa,<ref>[http://www.memoriachilena.cl/602/w3-article-3334.html - El destino infausto de una ciudad]</ref> who was campaigning against the local indigenous peoples at the time, but this moniker did not fare well, and was replaced by the current name, which in the local Indian language means "where the Sun is sitting".

During the Mapuche uprising of 1655, the city was besieged by Mapuche warriors. The Spanish defended the city from trenches and a palisade fort.<ref name="barana352">Barros Arana 2000, p. 352.</ref><ref name=barana357>Barros Arana 2000, p. 357.</ref> Hoping for a miracle, the Spaniards put an image of Mary near the trenches, against which Mapuches are said to have shot arrows.<ref name=barana352/> In early March, about one month after the onset of uprising, distress was such that the Spaniards abandoned the city and headed north, escaping the conflict zone.<ref name=barana357/> The Real Audiencia of Santiago declared the evacuation an act of cowardice, and prohibited refugees from Chillán to go beyond the Maule River north. As an outbreak of smallpox occurred among the refugees, this was, in effect, a quarantine, as trespassing north was punished with death sentences.<ref name="barana360">Barros Arana 2000, p. 360.</ref>

From its foundation, Chillán has been at the heart of Chile's rich agricultural region. It is also in a region of seismic activity, suffering from devastating earthquakes throughout its history; the 1939 Chillán earthquake left over 30,000 dead and mobilized international help.

Chile's founding father, Bernardo O'Higgins, was born in Chillán in 1778. He was the force behind Chile's Independence from Spain, being elected supreme director and declaring independence after the Battle of Chacabuco against the Spaniards in 1817. His later victory at the Maipú battlefield cemented the country's freedom. He died in exile in Peru in 1842.

==Climate== Chillán has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification ''Csb'').<ref>{{cite journal| last = Kottek | first = M.|author2=J. Grieser |author3=C. Beck |author4=B. Rudolf |author5=F. Rubel | title =World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated| journal =Meteorol. Z.| volume =15 | pages =259–263| url =http://www.schweizerbart.de/resources/downloads/paper_free/55034.pdf| doi =10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130| access-date = December 22, 2012| year =2006| issue = 3}}</ref> Winters are cool but mild, with a July average of {{convert|7.9|C|1}}. Most of the precipitation falls during this time of the year, with May to July being the wettest months, averaging over {{convert|200|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}. Summers, though, are dry and warm, with a January average of {{convert|20.1|C|1}}, and during this time, precipitation is rare, averaging only 2–3 days per month from December to February. Temperatures can occasionally exceed {{convert|30|C|1}} from October to April. The average annual precipitation is {{convert|1058|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}, but it is highly variable from year to year, with 1982 being the wettest year at {{convert|1813|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} and 1998 being the driest year at only {{convert|473|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="DMC" />

{{Weather box |width = auto |location = Chillan (General Bernardo O'Higgins Airport) 1991–2020, extremes 1950–present |metric first = yes |single line = yes |Jan record high C = 41.5 |Feb record high C = 41.6 |Mar record high C = 37.8 |Apr record high C = 31.8 |May record high C = 27.0 |Jun record high C = 23.2 |Jul record high C = 20.4 |Aug record high C = 25.2 |Sep record high C = 28.5 |Oct record high C = 31.9 |Nov record high C = 36.3 |Dec record high C = 36.6 |year record high C = 41.6 |Jan high C = 29.6 |Feb high C = 29.2 |Mar high C = 26.3 |Apr high C = 20.6 |May high C = 15.3 |Jun high C = 12.3 |Jul high C = 12.1 |Aug high C = 14.1 |Sep high C = 17.0 |Oct high C = 19.7 |Nov high C = 23.4 |Dec high C = 26.8 |year high C = 20.5 |Jan mean C = 20.5 |Feb mean C = 19.9 |Mar mean C = 17.6 |Apr mean C = 13.6 |May mean C = 10.5 |Jun mean C = 8.5 |Jul mean C = 7.8 |Aug mean C = 9.2 |Sep mean C = 11.1 |Oct mean C = 13.2 |Nov mean C = 15.9 |Dec mean C = 18.5 |year mean C = 13.9 |Jan low C = 11.4 |Feb low C = 10.6 |Mar low C = 9.0 |Apr low C = 6.6 |May low C = 5.6 |Jun low C = 4.7 |Jul low C = 3.5 |Aug low C = 4.2 |Sep low C = 5.1 |Oct low C = 6.7 |Nov low C = 8.3 |Dec low C = 10.2 |year low C = 7.2 |Jan record low C = 1.8 |Feb record low C = 2.0 |Mar record low C = -1.2 |Apr record low C = -2.8 |May record low C = -5.9 |Jun record low C = -6.3 |Jul record low C = -7.0 |Aug record low C = -4.6 |Sep record low C = -3.2 |Oct record low C = -2.0 |Nov record low C = 0.5 |Dec record low C = 0.0 |year record low C = -7.0 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 8.7 |Feb precipitation mm = 24.4 |Mar precipitation mm = 17.8 |Apr precipitation mm = 65.9 |May precipitation mm = 160.2 |Jun precipitation mm = 211.4 |Jul precipitation mm = 149.3 |Aug precipitation mm = 123.9 |Sep precipitation mm = 70.1 |Oct precipitation mm = 58.0 |Nov precipitation mm = 27.7 |Dec precipitation mm = 18.8 |year precipitation mm = 936.2 |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm |Jan precipitation days = 1.1 |Feb precipitation days = 1.5 |Mar precipitation days = 2.0 |Apr precipitation days = 4.9 |May precipitation days = 8.9 |Jun precipitation days = 12.3 |Jul precipitation days = 10.6 |Aug precipitation days = 9.8 |Sep precipitation days = 6.5 |Oct precipitation days = 5.7 |Nov precipitation days = 2.7 |Dec precipitation days = 2.2 |year precipitation days = 68.2 |Jan humidity = 50 |Feb humidity = 53 |Mar humidity = 58 |Apr humidity = 68 |May humidity = 80 |Jun humidity = 85 |Jul humidity = 83 |Aug humidity = 78 |Sep humidity = 72 |Oct humidity = 67 |Nov humidity = 60 |Dec humidity = 54 |year humidity = 67 |Jan sun = 359.6 |Feb sun = 296.6 |Mar sun = 260.4 |Apr sun = 177.0 |May sun = 120.9 |Jun sun = 87.0 |Jul sun = 105.4 |Aug sun = 142.6 |Sep sun = 183.0 |Oct sun = 229.4 |Nov sun = 282.0 |Dec sun = 334.8 |year sun = 2578.7 |Jand sun = 11.6 |Febd sun = 10.5 |Mard sun = 8.4 |Aprd sun = 5.9 |Mayd sun = 3.9 |Jund sun = 2.9 |Juld sun = 3.4 |Augd sun = 4.6 |Sepd sun = 6.1 |Octd sun = 7.4 |Novd sun = 9.4 |Decd sun = 10.8 |yeard sun = |source 1 = Dirección Meteorológica de Chile (humidity 1970–2000)<ref name = climatenormals>{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230523165702/https://climatologia.meteochile.gob.cl/application/historico/datosNormales/360011 | archive-date = 23 May 2023 | url = https://climatologia.meteochile.gob.cl/application/historico/datosNormales/360011 | title = Datos Normales y Promedios Históricos | access-date = 23 May 2023 | publisher = Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil | language = es | date = September 2018}}</ref><ref name=records>{{cite web | url = https://climatologia.meteochile.gob.cl/application/historico/temperaturaHistoricaAnual/360011 | title = Temperatura Histórica de la Estación General Bernardo O'Higgins, Chillán Ad. (360011) | publisher = Dirección Meteorológica de Chile | language = es | access-date = 23 May 2023 | archive-date = 23 May 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230523165826/https://climatologia.meteochile.gob.cl/application/historico/temperaturaHistoricaAnual/360011 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name=DMC> {{cite web | url = http://164.77.222.61/climatologia/publicaciones/Estadistica_ClimatologicaII.pdf | title = Estadistica Climatologica Tomo II | access-date = March 17, 2014 | publisher = Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil | language = es | date = March 2001 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180012/http://164.77.222.61/climatologia/publicaciones/Estadistica_ClimatologicaII.pdf | archive-date = March 3, 2016 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all}}</ref> |source 2 = NOAA (precipitation days 1991–2020),<ref>{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230806110818/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-3-WMO-Normals-9120/Chile/CSV/Generalbernardoohigginschillanad_85672.csv | archive-date = 6 August 2023 | url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-3-WMO-Normals-9120/Chile/CSV/Generalbernardoohigginschillanad_85672.csv | title = General Bernardo O'Higgins Chillán Climate Normals 1991–2020 | work = World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020) | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | access-date = 6 August 2023}}</ref> Universidad de Chile (sunshine hours only)<ref name = UDC>{{cite web | url = https://www.u-cursos.cl/ingenieria/2008/2/ME716/1/material_docente/bajar?id_material=201902 | title = Tabla 4.6: Medias mensuales de horas de sol diarias extraídas del WRDC ruso (en (hrs./dia)) | work = Elementos Para La Creación de Un Manual de Buenas Prácticas Para Instalaciones Solares Térmicas Domiciliarias | publisher = Universidad de Chile | language = es | format = PDF | page = 81 | access-date = 21 January 2015 | date = September 2007}}</ref> |date= December 2012 }}

The air in Chillán is the fourth-most polluted in Chile, after Santiago, Temuco, and Concepción. "As in Temuco, the main cause of air pollution in Chillán is the use of wood-burning stoves; about 62% of all households in Chillán use firewood as their main source of heating."<ref>[http://en.mercopress.com/2007/06/29/severe-air-pollution-plagues-chilean-cities Severe air pollution plagues Chilean cities] Friday, June 29th 2007 - 21:00 UTC</ref>

==Demographics== According to the 2002 census by the National Statistics Institute, the commune of Chillán spans an area of {{convert|511.2|sqkm|0|abbr=on}} and has 161,953 inhabitants (77,007 men and 84,946 women). Of these, 148,015 (91.4%) lived in urban areas and 13,938 (8.6%) in rural areas. The population grew by 8.3% (12,442 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.<ref name="INE"/>

The demonym for a person from Chillán, used for more than 400 years by local residents, is ''Chillanejo'', yet this is not found in the Royal Spanish Academy Dictionary, which only recognizes ''Chillanense''.<ref>[http://buscon.rae.es/draeI/SrvltConsulta?TIPO_BUS=3&LEMA=chillanense Chillanense - DRAE (Royal Spanish Academy Dictionary)]</ref>

===Notable people=== [[File:Claudio Arrau 1 Allan Warren.jpg|thumb|Claudio Arrau in 1974, by Allan Warren]] Isabel Riquelme, mother of Chilean independence leader Bernardo O'Higgins, was born in Chillán in 1758. María Cornelia Olivares, one of the national heroines of the Chilean War of Independence, was also from the city. In addition, Chillán has produced a number of artists. A notable example is Claudio Arrau, a pianist. Additionally, Ramón Vinay is the tenor who played Otello in the 1950s, his recording of the role with Toscanini. He was a regular at the New York City Metropolitan Opera, where he sang both tenor and baritone roles. One of his last performances at this house was as the Barber of Seville's Basilio, a bass role. He retired from the stage in 1969.

Other "Chillanejos" include writer Marta Brunet, sculptor Marta Colvin, painter Pacheco Altamirano, and Juan de Dios Aldea, who, however, did not reach the international acclaim achieved by Arrau and Vinay. ''Super Smash Bros.'' player Gonzalo "ZeRo" Barrios who had a record-breaking 56-tournament winning streak is also from Chillán.

==Administration== As a commune, Chillán 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 2008-2020 ''alcalde'' is Sergio Zarzar Andonie (ILE).<ref name="Official"/><ref name="Munitel"/>

Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Chillán is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Carlos Abel Jarpa (PRSD) and Rosauro Martínez (RN) as part of the 41st electoral district, together with Coihueco, Pinto, San Ignacio, El Carmen, Pemuco, Yungay and Chillán Viejo. The commune is represented in the Senate by Victor Pérez Varela (UDI) and Felipe Harboe (PPD) as part of the 13th senatorial constituency (Biobío-Coast).

== Economy == In 2021, the number of registered companies in Chillán was 14,689.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=7 February 2024 |title=Reporte comunal Chillán |url=https://www.bcn.cl/siit/reportescomunales/comunas_v.html?anno=2023&idcom=16101 |website=www.bcn.cl}}</ref> The Economic Complexity Index (ECI) in 2018 was 2.02, while the economic activities with the highest Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) indices were Repair of Agricultural and Forestry Machinery (140.3), Other Sports-Related Activities (45.83), and Retail Sale of Lamps, Wall Lights, and Similar Items (20.48). == International Relations == The city of Chillán hosts a series of international relations institutions, such as the Regional Unit of International Affairs (URAI) of the Regional Government of Ñuble, responsible for the analysis and management of 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 offices of the National Migration Service and the General Directorate for Export Promotion (ProChile); the Department of Migration and International Police of the Investigations Police of Chile; and the Office of Social and Cultural Diversity of the Municipality of Chillán, which provides support to the city’s migrant population.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2025-02-21 |title=Oficina Migrante Adheridas al Sello Migrante |url=https://geonodo.ide.subdere.gov.cl/R00/map/502?zoom=4.546135420056858&center=-5999233.776175784,-4241234.315908879 |website=geonodo.ide.subdere.gov.cl}}</ref> In the field of international relations and higher education, the main actor in Chillán is the International Relations Unit of the Office of Outreach and Engagement, together with the Institute of Languages of the Adventist University of Chile.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2025-02-27 |language=es |title=Internacionalización {{!}} Vinculación con el Medio |url=https://vinculacion.unach.cl/internacionalizacion/}}</ref>

==Transport== The city of Chillán is connected to Chile's capital Santiago by both a modern highway and a rebuilt railway system TerraSur that makes the trip in less than five hours. TerraSur, which terminates in Chillán station, and the Alameda-Temuco train both operate on the railway connecting Chillan with Rancagua and Santiago.

==Gallery== {{Gallery |File:Catedral_de_Chillán_sin_antenas.jpg|St. Bartholomew Cathedral |File:Mall Arauco Chillan 2021.jpg|Shopping in Chillán |File:Municipalidad de Chillán.jpg|Consistorial Building |File:Teatro_Municipal_de_Chillan.jpg|Municipal theater |File:Bomberos Chillan 2021.jpg|Edificio del Cuerpo de Bomberos, Chillán |File:Catedral de Chillán (interior).JPG|Chillan Cathedral interior |File:Chillan Chile Wikivoyage Banner.jpg|City view |File:Panoramica ciudad de Chillan.jpg|Panoramic view |File:Chillán.JPG|Plaza de Armas, Chillán |File:Teatro Municipal Chillan LGBT.jpg|Municipal Theater, Chillán |File:Chillán Viejo - 2021 - Arco de acceso a Chillán Viejo.jpg|Arc, Chillán Viejo |File:Vista de Nevados de Chillán desde Aerodromo General Bernardo O'Higgins.jpg|View from Chillan airport }}

==See also== * Termas de Chillán

==References== {{Reflist}}

;Bibliography *{{cite book | last = Barros Arana | first = Diego | author-link1 = Diego Barros Arana | title = Historia General de Chile | volume = IV | url = http://www.memoriachilena.gob.cl/602/w3-article-7987.html | year = 2000 | orig-year = 1884 | edition = 2 | publisher = Editorial Universitaria | location = Santiago, Chile | isbn = 956-11-1535-2 | language = es | pages=360–361}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Chillán}} * {{in lang|es}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20111013052944/http://www.municipalidadchillan.cl/ Municipality of Chillán] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050730235326/http://pehuen.chillan.ubiobio.cl/Plano/ City map] * [https://www.flickr.com/groups/chillan/pool/ Chillán & Ñuble Fotográfico en Flickr]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chillan}} Category:Communes of Chile Category:Populated places established in 1580 Category:Capitals of Chilean regions Category:Populated places in Diguillín Category:1580 establishments in the Captaincy General of Chile