Rancagua, Chile

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Image:Paseo Independencia.jpg

Independencia Street, Rancagua

O'Higgins Region Intendancy.

Estadio El Teniente.

Bernardo O'Higgins Monument.

Rancagua is a city in central Chile, and capital of the O'Higgins Region and the province of Cachapoal. It has a population of 206,971 (2002 census). The main economic activities range from mining activity, tourism, agriculture, wood industry, food production and services to minor industrial activities. The city also serves as the administrative and legal center of the region.

Rancagua was founded by José Antonio Manso de Velasco, who founded several cities in the central area of Chile. The city's original name was Villa Santa Cruz de Triana.

The city is famous in Chilean history as the scene of the Disaster of Rancagua of 1814, when Chilean forces fighting for independence from Spain were defeated, marking the beginning of the period known as the Reconquista (an attempt by Spain to regain control of Chile).

In recent years the city has become one of the most attractive cultural and tourist centers in the O'Higgins Region mainly due to the vineyards in the area. There are also some archeological sites, sport centers and easy access to smaller and more typical villages and towns.

The city connects with Santiago via the Panamerican Highway (Ruta 5 Sur). The Metrotren connects the metro service in Santiago to Rancagua by train.

Rancagua is home of the University of Rancagua, the first private university to be established in the O'Higgins Region.

Rancagua is also known for the "Largest Underground Copper Mine in the World" called El Teniente, located about 40 km to the east of the city in the Andes mountain range. El Teniente is a division of the state-owned mining enterprise, Codelco.

The city's Braden Cooper Stadium was one of the four venues of the 1962 football (soccer) World Cup. Nowadays, it houses the O'Higgins professional soccer club, one of the leadingr teams in Chilean professional soccer.