La Unión, Chile
La Unión is a city and commune of the Ranco Province in the Los Ríos Region in Chile. It is situated approximately 40 km north of Osorno and 80 km southeast of Valdivia. Covering an area of 2,136.7 km2, it has a population of 36,447, of which 25,615 are considered part of the urban population, according to the 2012 census. The commune derived its name from the confluence of the Llollelhue and Radimadi rivers.
La Unión | |
|---|---|
city and commune | |
Plaza de la Concordia, La Unión | |
|
Flag Coat of arms Location of La Unión commune in Los Ríos Region La Unión Location in Chile | |
| Coordinates (city): 40°17′S 73°5′W | |
| Country | Chile |
| Region | Los Ríos |
| Province | Ranco |
| Founded as | Villa de San José de La Unión |
| Founded | 13 February 1821 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Alcalde | Aldo Pinuer Solís |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2,136.7 km2 (825.0 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 28 m (92 ft) |
| Population (2012 census) | |
| • Total | 36,447 |
| • Density | 17/km2 (44/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 25,615 |
| • Rural | 13,832 |
| Demonym | unionino |
| Sex | |
| • Men | 20,125 |
| • Women | 19,322 |
| Time zone | UTC−4 (CLT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−3 (CLST) |
| Area code | 56 + 63 |
| Climate | Cfb |
| Website | Official website (in Spanish) |
La Unión was founded in 1821 during the government of Bernardo O'Higgins, to secure sovereignty over the Central Valley south of Valdivia. It is a major centre for milk production; COLUN is the main milk and dairy product producer in the zone. The commune is covered in forest to the west of the city and the east is dominated by agricultural landscapes spanning Los Llanos. Alerce Costero National Park lies in the western mountains.
The city served until 2001 as a dormitory town for the coal mines of Catamutún.