San Fernando (Chile)

San Fernando is a city in Chile. It has 52 551 inhabitants (as of 2005) and is the capital of the province of Colchagua. It is situated in the Región del Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins.

Geography and climate

San Fernando is located on the Río Tinguiririca some 132 km south of the capital Santiago at the Pan-American Highway.

The average annual temperature is 14 ° C. The rainfall is 490 mm ​​/ year.

History

The city was founded on 17 May 1742 by Governor José Antonio Manso de Velasco. The national hero in the War of Independence Manuel Rodríguez (1785-1818) was set a monument in the city. On 12 February 1817 he conquered San Fernando by the Spaniards. On the same day the famous Battle of Chacabuco was held, however, approximately 50 km north without his participation.

In 1915 the city became the capital of the province of Colchagua.

Attractions

Tourist interest is the church Iglesia San Franscisco is from 1744, a national monument south of the city since 1984. Located 17 km the Puente Negro over the Río Claro. Here is a beautiful tourist area. For wine lovers, the Ruta del Vino de Colchagua runs through the Valle de Colchagua, with its wineries.

The museum Museo Casa Patronal de Lircunlauta shows the history of the province of Colchagua.

18 km south of the city lies Chimbarongo, which is famous for weaving of basket - willows.

Economy

San Fernando is a typical industrial and service center. In the countryside, the cultivation of wine, fruit and tobacco are in the foreground. Tourism is not as pronounced.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Ginette Acevedo ( born 1942 ), singer
• Lautaro Garcia (1895-1982), painter, singer and playwright
• Alberto Valenzuela Llanos (1879-1925), painter