Arauco, Chile

Arauco
Arauco
Location in Chile
Coordinates (city): 37°15′S 73°19′W / 37.250°S 73.317°W / -37.250; -73.317
CountryChile
RegionBío Bío
ProvinceArauco
Founded1552
Government
  TypeMunicipality
  AlcaldeJuan Mauricio Alarcón Guzmán
Area
  Total
956.1 km2 (369.2 sq mi)
 As of 2002
Elevation
12 m (39 ft)
Population
 (2012 Census)
  Total
34,902
  Density37/km2 (95/sq mi)
  Urban
24,269
  Rural
10,604
DemonymAraucano
Sex
  Men17,603
  Women17,270
Time zoneUTC−4 (CLT)
  Summer (DST)UTC−3 (CLST)
Area code56 + 41
ClimateCsb
WebsiteOfficial website (in Spanish)

Arauco is a city and commune (Spanish: comuna) in Chile, located in Arauco Province in the Bío Bío Region. The meaning of Arauco means Chalky Water in Mapudungun. The region was a Moluche aillarehue. The Spanish settlements founded here during the Conquest of Chile were destroyed on numerous occasions by the Mapuche during the Arauco War.