Curaco de Vélez is
Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...
an
commune
A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to:
Administrative-territorial entities
* Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township
** Communes of ...
in
Chiloé Archipelago
The Chiloé Archipelago ( es, Archipiélago de Chiloé, , ) is a group of islands lying off the coast of Chile, in the Los Lagos Region. It is separated from mainland Chile by the Chacao Channel in the north, the Sea of Chiloé in the east and t ...
which is part of
Chiloé Province
Chiloé Province ( es, Provincia de Chiloé) is one of the four provinces in the southern Chilean region of Los Lagos (X). It consists of all of Chiloé Archipelago (including Chiloé Island) with the exception of the Desertores Islands. The pro ...
and
Los Lagos Region
Los Lagos Region ( es, Región de Los Lagos , ''Region of the Lakes'') is one of Chile's 16 regions, which are first order administrative divisions, and comprises four provinces: Chiloé, Llanquihue, Osorno and Palena. The region contains ...
. The commune is located in western
Quinchao Island
Quinchao Island is an island in Chiloé Province, Chile, off the east coast of Chiloé Island. It includes the communes of Quinchao and Curaco de Vélez. Main towns are Achao and Curaco de Vélez
Curaco de Vélez is Chilean commune in Chiloé A ...
while the eastern part is administered by the commune of
Quinchao
Quinchao is a Chilean commune located in Chiloé Province, Los Lagos Region. The seat of government lies in the town of Achao on the island.
Geography
The commune of Quinchao includes most of the Quinchao Island (sharing its territory with the ...
.
History
Curaco is proud of its association with several famous Chilean sailors. From the War of the Pacific are Admiral
Galvarino Riveros
Galvarino (died c. November 30, 1557) was a famous Mapuche warrior during the majority of the early part of the Arauco War. He fought and was taken prisoner along with one hundred and fifty other Mapuche, in the Battle of Lagunillas against gove ...
and Rear Admiral Manuel Oyarzún. Also
remembered is Carlos Miller Norton navigator of the Goleta
Ancud
Ancud () is a city in southern Chile located in the northernmost part of the island and province of Chiloé, in Los Lagos Region. It is the second largest city of Chiloé Archipelago after Castro. The city was established in 1768 to function as ...
that took possession of the Straights of Magellan in 1843 for Chile.
Hydrographer and explorer
Francisco Hudson
Ancud.html" ;"title="Punta Arenas by sea from Ancud">Punta Arenas by sea from Ancud, and in orange Hudson's proposed route. The red dot shows the 20 km wide Ofqui Isthmus the only obstacle that makes this route intransitable. -->
Francisco Hudson C ...
was also native to the town.
Galvarino Riveros Cárdenas was born in Changüitad.
In his career he cruised the entire coastline of Chile caring out many delicate and important missions. He served the country with distinction in the
War of the Pacific
The War of the Pacific ( es, link=no, Guerra del Pacífico), also known as the Saltpeter War ( es, link=no, Guerra del salitre) and by multiple other names, was a war between Chile and a Bolivian–Peruvian alliance from 1879 to 1884. Fought ...
(1879).
On 13 and 15 January 1881, in command of his squadron, Riveros provided protective fire for the army assault that defeated the
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = National seal
, national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
vian forces leading to the surrender of
Lima
Lima ( ; ), originally founded as Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of The Kings) is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín Rivers, in the desert zone of the central coastal part of ...
and
Callao.
Architecture
In 1660 the
Jesuits
, image = Ihs-logo.svg
, image_size = 175px
, caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits
, abbreviation = SJ
, nickname = Jesuits
, formation =
, founders = ...
noted simple dwellings here. The first haphazard buildings were of timber and straw. By 1724 the population was 262 made up of 33 families. By the beginning of the 20th century it had not grown much and the settlement was small and poor without streets or landing places. In 1901 Bishop Ramón Angel Jara created the parish and took up the task of giving it a structure that would allow for future growth.
One of the attractions for a visitor is the characteristic vernacular
architecture of Chiloé that makes good use of features such as balconies and lookouts that create an air of simplicity and originality.
Churches dating from the 18th and 19th century reflect a strong faith. These are constructed of timber from the noble alerce and cypress trees.
Demographics
According to the 2002
census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses in ...
of the
National Statistics Institute National Institute of Statistics may refer to:
*National Institute of Statistics of Bolivia
*National Institute of Statistics of Cambodia
*National Institute of Statistics and Census of Costa Rica
*National Institute of Statistics and Census of Nica ...
, Curaco de Vélez spans an area of and has 3,403 inhabitants (1,642 men and 1,761 women), making the commune an entirely
rural area
In general, a rural area or a countryside is a geographic area that is located outside towns and cities. Typical rural areas have a low population density and small settlements. Agricultural areas and areas with forestry typically are descr ...
. The population grew by 12.6% (382 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.
Administration
As a commune, Curaco de Vélez is a third-level
administrative division of Chile administered by a
municipal council
A municipal council is the legislative body of a municipality or local government area. Depending on the location and classification of the municipality it may be known as a city council, town council, town board, community council, rural counc ...
, headed by an
alcalde who is directly elected every four years. The 2008-2012 alcalde is Luis Curumilla Sotomayor (
PDC).
Within the
electoral divisions of Chile, Curaco de Vélez is represented in the
Chamber of Deputies by Gabriel Ascencio (PDC) and Alejandro Santana (
RN) as part of the 58th electoral district, together with
Castro
Castro is a Romance language word that originally derived from Latin ''castrum'', a pre-Roman military camp or fortification (cf: Greek: ''kastron''; Proto-Celtic:''*Kassrik;'' br, kaer, *kastro). The English-language equivalent is '' chester''.
...
,
Ancud
Ancud () is a city in southern Chile located in the northernmost part of the island and province of Chiloé, in Los Lagos Region. It is the second largest city of Chiloé Archipelago after Castro. The city was established in 1768 to function as ...
,
Quemchi
Quemchi is a Chilean town and commune in Los Lagos Region, in Chiloé Province, on the eastern shore of Chiloé Island. It acquired certain celebrity because the famous Chilean writer Francisco Coloane was born near the town.
The town is served b ...
,
Dalcahue
Dalcahue is a port city and a commune in Chiloé Province, on Chiloé Island, Los Lagos Region, Chile.
Demographics
According to the 2002 census by the National Statistics Institute, the Dalcachue commune spans an area of and had 10,693 inhabi ...
,
Quinchao
Quinchao is a Chilean commune located in Chiloé Province, Los Lagos Region. The seat of government lies in the town of Achao on the island.
Geography
The commune of Quinchao includes most of the Quinchao Island (sharing its territory with the ...
,
Puqueldón,
Chonchi
Chonchi is a Chilean town and commune located in Los Lagos Region.
The commune consists of the town of Chonchi and the following villages:
* Rauco
* Quinched
* Vilupulli
* Teupa
* Terao
* Petanes
* Notue
* Quiao
* Huillinco
* Cucao
Demographics ...
,
Queilén
Queilén is a town and commune in Chiloé Province, in the Archipelago of Chiloé in southern Chile. It covers a portion of the southeast of the Greater Island of Chiloé, between the communes of Chonchi, Quellón, Tranqui Island and Acuy Islan ...
,
Quellón
Quellón is a Chilean port city and commune in Chiloé Province, in southern Chiloé Island, Los Lagos Region. It is considered the southern end-station of the Panamerican Highway and the Pacific Coast Highway. The city is a hub for aquaculture ...
,
Chaitén
Chaitén (, ) is a Chilean town, commune and former capital of the Palena Province in Los Lagos Region. The town is north of the mouth of Yelcho River, on the east coast of the Gulf of Corcovado. The town is strategically close to the northern ...
,
Hualaihué,
Futaleufú and
Palena. The commune is represented in the
Senate by Camilo Escalona Medina (
PS) and Carlos Kuschel Silva (RN) as part of the 17th senatorial constituency (Los Lagos Region).
References
*"Apuntes históricos de Curaco de Vélez", Carlos Oyarzún Cárdenas, Inscripción intelectual n°144265.
External links
Spanish
Municipality of Curaco de VélezCuracodevelez.comPortal histórico y cultural de Curaco de VélezPortal informativo y turístico de la Isla Quinchao
{{DEFAULTSORT:Curaco de Velez
Communes of Chile
Chiloé Archipelago