Rancagua

Rancagua
City and Commune
Ciudad de Rancagua
Buildings surrounding Los Héroes Square, Rancagua. Top: Southern view of the plaza, Middle: Cachapoal Province Governorate, Bottom left. Sagrario Cathedral, Bottom right: Bernardo O'Higgins monument.
Flag Coat of arms Brandmark Map of Rancagua commune in O'Higgins Region Rancagua Location in Chile
Coordinates (city): 34°10′S 70°45′W / 34.167°S 70.750°W / -34.167; -70.750
Country	Chile
Region	O'Higgins Region
Province	Cachapoal Province
Foundation	October 5, 1743
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Alcalde	Juan Ramón Godoy Muñoz
Area [1]
• Total	260.3 km2 (100.5 sq mi)
Elevation	572 m (1,877 ft)
Population  (2012 Census)[1]
• Total	232,211
• Density	890/km2 (2,300/sq mi)
• Urban	206,971
• Rural	7,373
Demonym	Ranquigüian
Sex [1]
• Men	104,879
• Women	109,465
Time zone	UTC−4 (CLT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−3 (CLST)
Postal code	2820000
Area code	56 (country) + 72 (city)
Police	Carabineros de Chile
International airports	Rancagua de la Independencia
Climate	Csb
Website	www.rancagua.cl (in Spanish)

Rancagua (Spanish pronunciation: [raŋˈkaɣwa]) is a city and commune in central Chile and part of the Rancagua conurbation. It is the capital of the Cachapoal Province and of the O'Higgins Region, located 87 km (54 mi) south of the national capital of Santiago.

It was originally named Santa Cruz de Triana by Spanish colonists. In 2012, its population was 232,211.^[1] The main economic activities range from mining, tourism, agriculture, timber, food production and services to minor industrial activities. The city also serves as the administrative and legal center of the region.

Together with Machalí and Gultro, it forms the Rancagua conurbation. After Curicó, Talca and Concepción, it is one of the most important and densely populated cities of the south central zone of Chile.