Villarrica | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
 Coat of arms  Map of the Villarrica commune in Araucanía Region   Villarrica Location in Chile | |
| Coordinates (city): 39°16′S 72°13′W / 39.267°S 72.217°W | |
| Country | Chile |
| Region | Araucanía |
| Province | Cautín |
| Founded | 1552 |
| Founded as | Santa María de Magdalena de Villa Rica |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Alcalde | Pablo Astete Mermoud (RN) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,291.1 km2 (498.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 227 m (745 ft) |
| Population (2012 Census)[3] | |
| • Total | 49,184 |
| • Density | 38/km2 (99/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 30,859 |
| • Rural | 14,672 |
| Demonym | Villarrican |
| Sex | |
| • Men | 22,694 |
| • Women | 22,837 |
| Time zone | UTC−4 (CLT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−3 (CLST) |
| postal code | 493 0000 (assigned but not in use as of 2006) |
| Area code | country + city = 56 + 45 |
| Website | www |
| postal code precedes City name, e.g. 493 0000 Villarrica | |
Villarrica is a city and commune in southern Chile located on the western shore of Villarrica Lake in the Province of Cautín, Araucanía Region 746 km (464 mi) south of Santiago and close to the Villarrica Volcano ski center to the south east. Residents of Villarrica are known as Villarricences.
Tourism, grain and dairy farming, and forestry are the main economic activities of the community. The climate is mild and humid with the greatest rainfall experienced between May and July (autumn and winter). The dry season is between December and February (Summer).
Other lakes found nearby include Calafquén, Caburgua, Huilipilún and Colico. In the summer water sports and sunbathing are popular activities in the warm temperatures experienced at the low altitudes ranging from 200 to 500m above sea level.
Fishing and rafting are popular activities in the various rivers in the area, which include the Toltén, Voipir, Trancura, Llancahue and Lincura. Popular waterfalls include León, La China, Palguín, Ojos del Caburga. Thanks to the numerous volcanos, hot springs with temperatures ranging from 48 °C to 90 °C, are found nearby. Included are Coñaripe (48 °C), San Luis (43 °C), Huife (49 °C), Palguín (57 °C) and Liquiñe (87 °C).
Villarrica National Park is 36 km (22 mi) away, and was created to preserve the natural beauty of the volcano. The area is noted for using wood as its principal building material.
- ^ "Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades" (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ^ "Municipality of Villarrica" (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ^ a b c "National Statistics Institute" (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 December 2010.