Ovalle

Ovalle
—  City and Commune  —
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Ovalle commune in the Coquimbo Region
Ovalle Location in Chile
Coordinates: 30°36′S 71°12′W / 30.6°S 71.2°W / -30.6; -71.2Coordinates: 30°36′S 71°12′W / 30.6°S 71.2°W / -30.6; -71.2
Country	Chile
Region	Coquimbo
Province	Limarí
Government[1]
- Type	Municipality
- Alcalde	Marta Lobos Inzunza
Area[2]
- Total	3,834.5 km2 (1,480.5 sq mi)
Population (2002 Census)[2]
- Total	98,089
- Density	25.6/km2 (66.3/sq mi)
- Urban	73,790
- Rural	24,299
Sex[2]
- Men	47,805
- Women	50,284
Time zone	CLT (UTC−4)
- Summer (DST)	CLST (UTC−3)
Area code(s)	56 + 53
Website	Municipality of Ovalle

Ovalle is a city in the Coquimbo Region of Chile,^[3] founded in 1831 as a settlement of more than 113,000 people. The name Ovalle was chosen to honor to Chile's vice-president José Tomás Ovalle. Ovalle is the capital of the Limarí Province.

The city's setting is often likened to an oasis, being lush and green although surrounded by barren hills.^{[citation needed]}

There is a trail leading from the city that lasts roughly 50 minutes, and features relatively safe bathing and an area where dinosaur fossils can be found. On the trail is a life-sized model of a brachiosaurus.

The town's club is Deportes Ovalle. Famous players have played for the club, including 1982 FIFA World Cup player Rodolfo Dubó.

The area's climate is notably hot.^{[citation needed]}

Demographics

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Ovalle spans an area of 3,834.5 km² (1,481 sq mi) and has 98,089 inhabitants (47,805 men and 50,284 women). Of these, 73,790 (75.2%) lived in urban areas and 24,299 (24.8%) in rural areas. The population grew by 15.4% (13,107 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.^[2]

Administration

As a commune, Ovalle 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 Marta Lobos Inzunza.

Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Ovalle is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Pedro Velásquez (Ind.) and Matías Walker (PDC) as part of the 8th electoral district, (together with Coquimbo and Río Hurtado). The commune is represented in the Senate by Evelyn Matthei Fornet (UDI) and Jorge Pizarro Soto (PDC) as part of the 4th senatorial constituency (Coquimbo Region).

Gallery

Monument La Paloma

Vista de Ovalle

See also

• Bosque de Fray Jorge National Park
• Embalse La Paloma
• Embalse Recoleta

References

1. ^ (Spanish) "Municipality of Ovalle". http://www.municipalidaddeovalle.cl/. Retrieved 28 July 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} (Spanish) "National Statistics Institute". http://www.ine.cl/canales/chile_estadistico/censos_poblacion_vivienda/censo_pobl_vivi.php. Retrieved 4 November 2010. 
3. ^ http://www.welcomechile.com/ovalle/index_i.html

External links

• (Spanish) Municipality of Ovalle
• (Spanish) Ovallito.cl