Introduction Arica-Parinacota Region Tarapacá Region Antofagasta Region Atacama Region Coquimbo Region Valparaíso Region O´Higgins Region Maule Region Bío Bío Region La Araucanía Region Los Ríos Region Los Lagos Region Aysén Region Magallanes & the Chilean Antartic Region Metropolitan Region

Capital: Rancagua

Area: 16,387 km2

Population: 780,627 inhabitants (2002 Census)

Population density: 47.2 inhab/km2

Principal economic activities: Agriculture, mining, retail and manufacturing.

 

Chile's southernmost copper mines of international importance are located in the O'Higgins Region. Agriculture is the other main activity of the region where rural traditions and ways of life continue to exist. 

The region's capital, Rancagua, is just 88 kms from Santiago. It was founded in 1743 by Governor José Antonio Manso de Velasco and buildings from the colonial period remain. The world's largest underground copper mine, El Teniente, with 2,400 kms of galleries, is located 44 kms away in the Andes.

The region's second most important urban center is San Fernando. The rural population is to be found in small farming communities and towns that conserve local customs and folklore. The region is popularly known as Chile's huaso (cowboy) province.

The main industry and exporter is the El Teniente mine, owned by Codelco, which accounts for 7.7% of Chile's total copper output. The mineral is processed in concentrator plants at Sewell and Colón, smelted and refined in Caletones and shipped out of the San Antonio port. The mine also produces molybdenum and sliver as byproducts.

Agriculture accounts for 30.1% of the region's output. Fruit farming, led by apples, pears, table grapes, kiwis and nectarines, is particularly important and, indeed, 25% of land under fruit in Chile is to be found in this region.

A combination of tradition and modern technology, developed through public-private collaboration, has been key for the success of Chilean fruit on international markets. Advantageous soil conditions, an agricultural tradition and the existence of qualified labor provided the necessary conditions for incorporating the investment and technology required to build plants for the selection and refrigeration of fruit and packing stations. 

Infrastructure, particularly roads and ports, also had to be expanded in line with increased demand.

Apart from copper mining, the region's main industrial activities are in the agribusiness, food and beverage sectors. The production of fruit juices and pulp and dehydrated fruit is one of the activities showing sustained growth.

In recent years, the forestry industry has also expanded in the region, focusing on plantations of eucalyptus and radiata pine. 

 

The Stairway Town

For over 60 years, miners working in the El Teniente mine in the mountains lived in the town of Sewell. Founded as a camp in 1905, Sewell went on to acquire a hospital, theater, heated swimming pool, gymnasium, police station, shops and a church with a statue of Christ made out of rock from the mine.

The simple buildings backed on to the mountainside and the walkways had colorful green handrails that stood out when the town was covered in snow.

In the 1960s, the miners were moved to Rancagua and Sewell was abandoned. However, it is now being restored and has been submitted to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Wine Route

As winegrowing has expanded, wines with denomination of origin have emerged as the region's sixth most important export and are produced mainly in the Cachapoal and Colchagua Valleys.

The contrast between the climate of the Andes foothills and the warmer plains of the Central Valley make the former a prime area for producing full-bodied red wines and grapes occupy around 80% of the area under cultivation. Most of this corresponds to Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Merlot and Carménère grapes and, in whites, by Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

The slightly colder climate of the Colchagua Valley means that better white wines, as well as good reds, are obtained there. The deep, fertile soil is ideal for producing large volumes.

 

Coordinates and area

The region stretches between 33°51'S and 35°01'S and from 70°02'W to the Pacific Ocean. According to the Military Geographic Institute (IGM), it has an area of 16,387.0 km2. 

 

Land formation

The O'Higgins Region comprises the following land formations: coastal plains, which reach a width of 25-30 kms with sandy beaches interspersed with cliffs; the Cordillera de la Costa; the Intermediate Depression including the Rancagua Basin to the north and the Intermediate Depression as such to the south of the Pelequén pass; and the Andes Mountains.

 

Climate

The region has a warm temperate climate with rain in winter (Mediterranean). Rainfall increases as the land rises from the coast to the mountains and from north to south. 

 

Water resources

The region's main water system is the Rapel River, formed by the Cachapoal and Tinguiririca Rivers, which rise in the Andes. Lower down, the Rapel is also joined by the small Alhué River, which rises in the Cordillera de la Costa in the Santiago Metropolitan Region. 

 

Population

According to the 2002 Census, the region had a population of 780,627 inhabitants of whom 392,335 were men and 388,292 were women, giving a population density of 47.2 inhabitants/km2. Between 2000 and 2005, the population expanded at an estimated mean annual rate of 1.20%. 

 

Economic sectors

Agriculture, mining, retail and manufacturing account for 76.3% of the region's output. The most important sector is agriculture (30.1% of output) led by production of apples, grapes, pears and pitted fruits. The area devoted to traditional agriculture has tended to drop in favor of forest plantations which have increased from 28,900 hectares to 361,200 hectares, according to the last agricultural Census. Mining, led by copper, represents 24.8% of regional output, followed by retail (11.7%) and manufacturing, including copper refining, food manufacture and agribusiness (9.7%). 

 

Administrative divisions

REGIONAL CAPITAL	PROVINCES	MUNICIPALITIES
Rancagua	Cachapoal	Rancagua Graneros Mostazal Codegua Machalí Olivar Requinoa Rengo Malloa Quinta de Tilcoco San Vicente Pichidegua Peumo Coltauco Coinco Doñihue Las Cabras
	Colchagua	San Fernando Chimbarongo Placilla Nancagua Chépica Santa Cruz Lolol Pumanque Palmilla Peralillo
	Cardenal Caro	Pichilemu Navidad Litueche La Estrella Marchihue Paredones

Foreign Direct Investment DL 600 Statistics in the OHiggins Region (1974 - 2008), (Excel, 38 Kb.)