Biobío Province is one of four provinces of the Chilean region of Biobío. Its capital is Los Ángeles. It is bounded on the north, west and south by the provinces of Concepción, Arauco and Malleco, respectively, and on the east by Argentina. It has an area of of well-wooded and mountainous country, and exports timber to a large extent. The population is 373,981 according to the census of 2012. The great trunk railway from Santiago south to Puerto Montt crosses the western part of the province and also connects it with the port of Concepción. Los Ángeles lies east of this railway and is connected with it by a branch line.
As part of the process of regionalization in the 1970s, the Region of Bío Bío was created. By Decree #1,213 of 27 of November 4, 1975, the VIII Region comprises the provinces of Bío Bío, Arauco, Concepción and Ñuble.
According to the 2002 census by the National Statistics Institute, the province spans an area of and had a population of 353,315 inhabitants, giving it a population density of. It is the tenth most populated province in the country. Of these, 245,775 lived in urban areas and 107,540 in rural areas. Between the 1992 and 2002 censuses, the population grew by 9.1%.
The Bío Bío Valley wine region is located in the province and region of the same name. One of Chile’s southern wine regions, it has become known for its crisp, aromatic wines. The region is located at a latitude of 36°S, similar to southern Spain and Monterey in California. The majority of its vineyards lie between and above sea level with a moderate Mediterranean climate. It receives of rain per year, among the highest of all Chilean wine valleys, although winds prevent excessive humidity - a phenomenon that can also be observed in northern France. For most of the 20th century, the main varieties grown in the Bío Bío valley were Moscatel de Alejandria and Pais, but today, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are also grown throughout the valley. The UK's Co-Op's Bio Bio Valley Malbec was awarded silver at the International Wine Challenge and a bronze from Decanter magazine.
Grape distribution by varietal
Climate: moderate Mediterranean climate. of rain per year. Average rainfall is among highest seen in any Chilean wine valley, although winds prevent humidity.
