Purranque

Purranque is a city in the Chilean Los Lagos Region, which lies on the Pan-American Highway about 65 km north of Puerto Montt. It is part of the Osorno Province.

History
The first ethnically identifiable inhabitants of the area were Huilliches, an indigenous people, and the land belonged to Cacique (Chief) Raylef, who was known as "Cacique Don Raylef de Purranquil"; Purranquil meaning in Mapudungun language “bush land”.

The present city was founded on April 18, 1911 as ""Villa Lo Burgos de Purranquil"", by Tomás Burgos, in a plot of land 45 km south of Osorno, along the railroad line between that city and Puerto Montt. On November 24, 1941 the town was elevated to the category of city by law 6402.

Tourism
The city is served by Canal Bajo Carlos Hott Siebert Airport, located near Osorno, and the El Tepual International Airport, located near Puerto Montt.

Demographics
According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Purranque spans an area of 1458.8 sqkm and has 20,705 inhabitants (10,354 men and 10,351 women). Of these, 13,265 (64.1%) lived in urban areas and 7,440 (35.9%) in rural areas. The population grew by 2.6% (529 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.

Administration
As a commune, Purranque 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 César Negrón Schwerter (PS).

Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Purranque is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Fidel Espinoza (PS) and Carlos Recondo (UDI) as part of the 56th electoral district, together with Puyehue, Río Negro, Puerto Octay, Fresia, Frutillar, Llanquihue, Puerto Varas and Los Muermos. The commune is represented in the Senate by Camilo Escalona Medina (PS) and Carlos Kuschel Silva (RN) as part of the 17th senatorial constituency (Los Lagos Region).

Education
Previously the area had a German school, Deutsche Schule Purranque.