Coihaique

Coihaique Coyhaique
—  City and Commune  —
Panoramic view of the city
Coat of arms
Location of the Coihaique commune in Aisén Region
Coihaique Location in Chile
Coordinates (city): 45°34′S 72°04′W / 45.567°S 72.067°W / -45.567; -72.067Coordinates: 45°34′S 72°04′W / 45.567°S 72.067°W / -45.567; -72.067
Country	Chile
Region	Aisén
Province	Coihaique
Founded as	Baquedano
Founded	1929
Government[1] [2]
- Type	Municipality
- Alcalde	Omar Muñoz Sierra (UDI)
Area[3]
- Total	7,290.2 km2 (2,814.8 sq mi)
Population (2002 Census)[3]
- Total	50,041
- Density	6.9/km2 (17.8/sq mi)
- Urban	44,850
- Rural	5,191
Demonym	Coyhaiquino
Sex[3]
- Men	25,453
- Women	24,588
Time zone	CLT (UTC−4)
- Summer (DST)	CLST (UTC−3)
Area code(s)	56 +
Website	Municipality of Coihaique

Coihaique (Spanish pronunciation: [koiˈaike]), also spelled Coyhaique in Patagonia, is the capital city of both the Coihaique Province and the Aysén Region of Chile. Founded by settlers in 1929, it is a young city. Until the twentieth century, Chile showed little interest in exploiting the remote Aisén region. The Carretera Austral road opened in the 1980s.

Geography and climate

The commune of Coihaique spans an area of 43,297 km² (16,717 sq mi).^[3] It is surrounded by rivers (Simpson and Coihaique) and by mountains. The mountains may be snow-covered throughout the year, thus Coihaique is sometimes called the city of eternal snow. Temperatures are moderate during the months of November through April. From May until October, temperatures can be comparatively cold and accompanied by the possibility of snowfall.

Demographics

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Coihaique has 50,041 inhabitants (25,453 men and 24,588 women). Of these, 44,850 (89.6%) lived in urban areas and 5,191 (10.4%) in rural areas. The population grew by 15.6% (6,744 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.^[3]

Administration

As a commune, Coihaique 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 2009-2012 alcalde is Omar Muñoz Sierra (UDI).^[1][2] He was preceded by David Sandoval Plaza (UDI), who served from 2000 to 2008.

Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Coihaique is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by René Alinco (PDC) and David Sandoval (UDI) as part of the 59th electoral district, which includes the entire Aisén Region. The commune is represented in the Senate by Antonio Horvath Kiss (RN) and Patricio Walker Prieto (PDC) as part of the 18th senatorial constituency (Aisén Region).

Society and culture

Monument to the shepherd

View of Coihaique

The town square is laid out in the shape of a pentagon in honor of the Carabineros, the national police force. A Carabinero general was one of the town's founders.

Transport and tourism

Travelers arrive by a number of means, including by air through the local airport, by sea through ships that dock at Puerto Chacabuco (near Puerto Aisén, about one hour to the west of Coihaique), and by road. Two border crossings near Coihaique allow entry into Argentina. Fly fishing is popular along its rivers and lakes.

LAN has three daily flights from Santiago to Balmaceda Airport, located 40 km (25 mi) from Coihaique. Other airlines also provide services. Connections from Balmaceda airport to points further south in Chile will often require a connection in Puerto Montt.

Its sole ski resort, El Fraile, provides two ski lifts and a couple of tracks but no on-site lodging.

Hotspots

• Simpson and Coihaique Rivers, well known for fly fishing
• Piedra del Indio, an Indian-shaped rock besides the Simpson River
• Happy Stone, a large rock in the middle of a plain where people go to party

References

1. ^ ^{a b} (Spanish) "Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades". http://www.coyhaique.cl. Retrieved 27 January 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} (Spanish) "Municipality of Coihaique". http://www.coyhaique.cl. Retrieved 27 January 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} (Spanish) "National Statistics Institute". http://www.ine.cl/canales/chile_estadistico/censos_poblacion_vivienda/censo_pobl_vivi.php. Retrieved 8 September 2010. 

External links

• Coihaique's city hall website
• Patagonia House, Bed and Breakfast
• Salvaje Corazon, Tour Guides