Rancagua

Rancagua (Spanish pronunciation: [raŋˈkaɣwa], abbreviated as Rgua ) is a city and commune in central Chile and part of the Rancagua conurbation. It is the capital of the Cachapoal Province and of the O'Higgins Region, located 87 km (54 mi) south of the national capital of Santiago. It was originally named Santa Cruz de Triana by Spanish colonists. The 2024 Chilean census recorded 257,744 inhabitants in the commune of Rancagua. The main economic activities range from mining, tourism, agriculture, timber, food production and services to minor industrial activities. The city also serves as the administrative and legal center of the region. Together with Machalí and Gultro, it forms the Rancagua conurbation. After Curicó, Talca and Concepción, it is one of the most important and densely populated cities of the south central zone of Chile.