Lirquén
Town in Biobío Region, Chile
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lirquén is a town located in the Biobío Region of central Chile. It is located along the Pacific Ocean and its economy is partly based on fishing. The town has a population of around 20,000 people.[1]
Lirquén | |
|---|---|
Town | |
Lirquén from Cerro Rahue | |
  Lirquén | |
| Coordinates: 36°42′46″S 72°58′36″W | |
| Country |  Chile |
| Region | Biobío Region |
| Province | Concepción |
| Commune | Penco |
| Established | 1850 |
| Area | |
• Total | 107.6 km2 (41.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 11 m (36 ft) |
| Population | |
• Total | 20,000 |
| • Density | 190/km2 (480/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−4 (CLT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−3 (CLST) |
| Area code | 56 + 41 |
| Climate | Dfc |
Due to its location on the coast, Lirquén serves as a major cargo port for shipping traffic to Chile, with its main cargo terminal capable of handling 3 million tons of material per year.[2]
History
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Lirquén was a center for coal mining, a resource which was common around the region. The first mine was opened in 1843 by an English immigrant, alongside several copper smelting factories. The mines closed in 1958.[3][4] In 1846 it was estiamted that Fundición Lambert in La Serena and Joaquín Edwards' copper smelter in Lirquén produced together one third of the copper bars in Chile.[5]
Lirquén suffered extensive damage during the 2026 Chilean wildfires, one of which originated in the town, resulting in around 80% of Lirquén being destroyed.[1] The Chilean government ordered the evacuation of Lirquén during the emergency.[6]