Colbún


Colbún is a Chilean town and commune in Linares Province, Maule Region. The commune has a population of over 17,000 inhabitants and covers an area of, making it the province's largest. Its capital, the town of Colbún, has 3,679 inhabitants. It is west of the center of continental Chile.

Demographics

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Colbún spans an area of and has 17,619 inhabitants. Of these, 5,152 lived in urban areas and 12,467 in rural areas. The population grew by 3.9% between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.

Geography

The Colbún commune is bordered on the west by Yerbas Buenas; on the southwest by Linares and Longaví; on the north by San Clemente, ; on the east and southeast, by Argentina, and on the south, by Parral and San Fabián; the latter in Ñuble Province. The municipality of Colbún occupies the easternmost strip of the Province of Linares, which boasts some of the highest provincial peaks and the headwaters of several provincial rivers.

Foundation and Historical facts

The municipality of Colbún was officially founded December 30, 1927. Prior to that date the municipality was called Panimávida and had its headquarters in that town. The municipality of Panimávida had been founded May 6, 1906.
From 1913 to 1954 Colbún was the terminus of the narrow gauge Putagán—Colbún railway originating in the city of Linares.

Administration

As a commune, Colbún is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years. The 2008-2012 alcalde is Pedro Pablo Muñoz Oses. The municipal council has the following members:
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Colbún is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Jorge Tarud and Romilio Gutiérrez as part of the 39th electoral district,. The commune is represented in the Senate by Hernán Larraín and Ximena Rincón González as part of the 11th senatorial constituency.

Attractions

In the vicinity of Colbún there are two well-known Chilean spas: the "Termas de Quinamávida" and the "Termas de Panimávida". In addition, the municipality concentrates the hydroelectric industry of the province, with the important power stations of Colbún and Machicura. The Colbún dam lake is a centre for recreation and water sports although these are highly dependent on water levels, which tend to be erratic.

Local customs

Crafts

Near Panimávida lies the village of Rari, famous for its unique crafts made of horse hair.