Tourist Guide Chillán
Situated in the Bio-Bio Region of Chile, the city of Chillan is the capital of Nuble Province and is located 400 km south of Santiago. With a population of 170,000 the town was moved in 1835 to the north and rebuilt after being destroyed by an earthquake. The city was founded in 1580 by Martin Ruiz de Gamboa who named the city by its current name which means “where the sun is sitting”. The city is also known as the birthplace of the national hero Bernardo O’Higgins.
The city is dependent on the agricultural produce of the adjoining regions for its economic support. Along with the commercial center for fruits and vegetables there is also a modern style enclosed shopping mall.
Chillan is also an area of extreme seismic activities. Major earthquakes shook the city in 1833 and 1939 which necessitated a complete reconstruction.
