Ovalle

Ovalle is a city in the Coquimbo Region of Chile, founded in 1831 as a settlement. It has a population of more than 113,000 people. The name Ovalle was chosen in honor of José Tomás Ovalle, former Chilean vice president and two-time acting president. 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. The city lies amidst a mining district with the copper mine of Panulcillo and the iron mine of El Dorado lying in its immediate vicinities. Next ot Panulcillo state-owned company ENAMI operates Planta Delta which purchases and processes ore from local small-scale miners. 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 football club is Deportes Ovalle. Famous players have played for the club, including 1982 FIFA World Cup player Rodolfo Dubó.