| Biobío Province | |
| Native Name: | Provincia de Biobío |
| Native Name Lang: | es |
| Settlement Type: | Province |
| Mapsize: | 175px |
| Map Alt: | Location in the Bío Bío Region |
| Pushpin Map: | Chile |
| Pushpin Map Alt: | Location in Chile |
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 175 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Chile |
| Coordinates: | -37.3833°N -123°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Chile |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Bio Bío |
| Parts Type: | Communes |
| Parts Style: | coll |
| Parts: | List of 14 |
| P1: | Alto Bío Bío |
| P2: | Antuco |
| P3: | Cabrero |
| P4: | Laja |
| P5: | Los Ángeles |
| P6: | Mulchén |
| P7: | Nacimiento |
| P8: | Negrete |
| P9: | Quilaco |
| P10: | Quilleco |
| P11: | San Rosendo |
| P12: | Santa Bárbara |
| P13: | Tucapel |
| P14: | Yumbel |
| Seat Type: | Capital |
| Seat: | Los Ángeles |
| Government Type: | Provincial |
| Leader Party: | PRI |
| Leader Title: | Governor |
| Leader Name: | Christán Fuentes Fuentes |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 14987.9 |
| Population Total: | 373981 |
| Population As Of: | 2012 Census |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Blank1 Title: | Urban |
| Population Blank1: | 245,775 |
| Population Blank2 Title: | Rural |
| Population Blank2: | 107,540 |
| Demographics Type1: | Sex |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Men |
| Demographics1 Info1: | 176,960 |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Women |
| Demographics1 Info2: | 176,355 |
| Timezone: | CLT[2] |
| Utc Offset: | -4 |
| Timezone Dst: | CLST[3] |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -3 |
| Area Code: | 56 + 43 |
| Website: | Government of Biobío |
Biobío Province (Spanish; Castilian: Provincia de Biobío) is one of three provinces of the Chilean region of Biobío (VIII). Its capital is Los Ángeles (2002 pop. 94,716). It is bounded on the north, west and south by the provinces of Concepción, Arauco and Malleco, respectively, and on the east by Argentina. It has an area of 14987.9sqkm of well-wooded and mountainous country, and exports timber to a large extent. The population is 373,981 according to the census of 2012. The great trunk railway from Santiago south to Puerto Montt crosses the western part of the province and also connects it with the port of Concepción. Los Ángeles lies 25km (16miles) east of this railway and is connected with it by a branch line.
See also: Isla del Laja. The Province of Bio-Bío was created on October 13, 1875, as part of the province of Araucan. In 1887, President José Manuel Balmaceda set aside the Province of Malleco. The province was then named for the Biobío River which flows through it. The Province of Bio-Bío was divided, into three departments:
| Department | Capital |
|---|---|
| Los Ángeles | |
| Mulchén | |
| Nacimiento | |
As a province, Biobío is a second-level administrative division of Chile, governed by a provincial governor who is appointed by the president.
The province is composed of 14 communes, each governed by a municipality consisting of an elected alcalde and municipal council.
According to the 2002 census by the National Statistics Institute (INE), the province spans an area of 14987.9sqkm[1] and had a population of 353,315 inhabitants (176,960 men and 176,355 women), giving it a population density of 23.6PD/sqkm. It is the tenth most populated province in the country. Of these, 245,775 (69.6%) lived in urban areas and 107,540 (30.4%) in rural areas. Between the 1992 and 2002 censuses, the population grew by 9.1% (29,405 persons).[1]
The Bio Bío Valley wine region is located in the province and region of the same name. One of Chile's southern wine regions, it has become known for its crisp, aromatic wines.[4] The region is located at a latitude of 36°S, similar to southern Spain and Monterey in California. The majority of its vineyards lie between and above sea level with a moderate Mediterranean climate. It receives of rain per year, among the highest of all Chilean wine valleys, although winds prevent excessive humidity - a phenomenon that can also be observed in northern France. For most of the 20th century, the main varieties grown in the Bio Bío valley were Moscatel de Alejandria and Pais (known as Missiones in USA), but today, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc are also grown throughout the valley.
The UK's Co-Op's Bio Bío Valley Malbec (2014) was awarded silver at the International Wine Challenge and a bronze from Decanter magazine.[5]