La Serena
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| La Serena | |
|---|---|
| Name | La Serena |
| Settlement type | City and Commune |
| Nickname | The City of Churches |
| Motto | Rebus Natus Ut Alta Pateret |
| Pushpin label position | bottom |
| Coordinates | 29, 54, S, 71... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | Chile |
| Subdivision type1 | Region |
| Subdivision name1 | Coquimbo Region |
| Subdivision type2 | Province |
| Subdivision name2 | Elqui Province |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1544 |
| Founder | Juan Bohón |
| Government type | Municipality |
| Leader title | Alcalde |
| Leader name | Roberto Jacob Jure |
| Area total km2 | 1892.8 |
| Elevation m | 28 |
| Population total | 495320 |
| Population as of | 2017 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Population urban | 401,938 |
| Population metro | 400,000 |
| Population demonym | Serenense |
| Timezone | CLT |
| Utc offset | −4 |
| Timezone DST | CLST |
| Utc offset DST | −3 |
| Postal code type | Postal code |
| Postal code | 1700000 |
| Area code | 56 51 |
| Website | http://www.laserena.cl |
La Serena. It is the capital of both the Coquimbo Region and Elqui Province, serving as a major administrative and cultural hub in northern Chile. Founded in 1544 by Spanish conquistador Juan Bohón, it is the second-oldest city in the country after Santiago. Known as "The City of Churches" for its numerous historic religious buildings, it is a key tourist destination, famed for its colonial architecture, nearby astronomical observatories, and proximity to the Elqui Valley.
History
The city was established as part of the Spanish strategy to secure a maritime route between Lima and the Strait of Magellan. It was destroyed during the War of Arauco and refounded in 1549 by Francisco de Aguirre. Throughout the colonial period, it developed as a quiet agricultural and religious center. The 19th-century mining boom, particularly in silver and copper, brought significant wealth, funding the elegant neoclassical architectural transformation led by President Gabriel González Videla in the mid-20th century. This "Plan Serena" renovation solidified its distinctive urban aesthetic and heritage status.
Geography and climate
Situated approximately 470 kilometers north of Santiago along Route 5-CH, the city lies on a narrow coastal plain between the Pacific Ocean and the foothills of the Chilean Coastal Range. It features a mild Mediterranean climate with low rainfall, characterized by frequent coastal fog known as *Camanchaca*. The Elqui River flows nearby, providing vital water to the agriculturally rich Elqui Valley. Its coastline includes notable beaches such as Avenida del Mar and Peñuelas.
Demographics
According to the 2017 census by the National Statistics Institute, the commune has a population of over 495,000 inhabitants, forming part of the Greater La Serena conurbation with neighboring Coquimbo. The population is predominantly of Spanish and Mestizo descent, with a growing international community drawn to the region's astronomy and tourism sectors. The city serves as the primary urban center for the Coquimbo Region.
Economy
The economy is diversified, with strong pillars in tourism, services, and public administration as the regional capital. It is a gateway to the astronomical tourism of the Elqui Valley, home to major international observatories like the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory and the La Silla Observatory. Agriculture, particularly the cultivation of Pisco grapes, avocados, and papaya, is significant. Commerce, retail, and a growing real estate sector centered on coastal development are also vital economic drivers.
Culture and education
The city's cultural identity is deeply tied to its colonial heritage, evident in its well-preserved historic center, a designated Zona Típica. It hosts the renowned University of La Serena and several campuses of institutions like the Catholic University of the North. Major cultural events include the annual Fiesta de la Pampilla and the International Film Festival of La Serena. The city's many churches, the Archaeological Museum of La Serena, and the Japanese Garden of La Serena are key landmarks.
Government and infrastructure
As the regional capital, it houses the Regional Intendancy and other governmental offices. The city is governed by a municipal council headed by an Alcalde, currently Roberto Jacob Jure. Key infrastructure includes the La Florida Airport, which connects it to domestic destinations, and the major seaport of Coquimbo. The city is a central node in the Pan-American Highway network and is served by several public hospital complexes, including the Hospital de La Serena.
Category:La Serena Category:Populated places in the Coquimbo Region Category:1544 establishments in the Spanish Empire Category:Capitals of Chilean regions