Concepción

Concepción (kōnsĕpsēōn`), city (1990 est. pop. 306,464), capital of Bío-Bío region, S central Chile, near the mouth of the Bío-Bío River. It is an industrial and commercial center and Chile's third largest city. Its port, Talcahuano, just north of the city, ships the products of the surrounding rich agricultural region. Concepción's industries produce glass, textiles, sugar, lumber, hides, and steel. More than 80% of the country's coal comes from nearby mines. Founded in 1550 by Pedro de Valdivia, the Spanish conqueror of Chile, the city was besieged and destroyed by the Araucanian chief Lautaro in 1554–55. It was completely destroyed by earthquakes in 1570, 1730, 1751, 1835, and 1939 and was severely damaged in 1960. Its numerous rebuildings have given Concepción a modern appearance. Points of interest include the Plaza Independencia and a university.

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Concepción

City (pop., 2002 prelim.: 371,000), capital of Bío-Bío region, south-central Chile. One of Chile's largest cities, it was founded in 1550 on the Pacific coast, where it was twice burned by Araucanian Indians. It has also been struck by numerous earthquakes, two of which were followed by tsunamis, and in 1754 it was moved inland to its present site near the mouth of the Bío-Bío River. Despite its severe seismic activity, it has become a major commercial and industrial centre and a distribution point for southern Chile. Local industries include textiles, food products, and steel.

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Concepción 

a city in Chile and the administrative center of Concepción Province. Population, 191,700 (1969). The city has a port (Talcahuano) on the right bank of the estuary of the Río Bío Bío and is a railroad junction. The major industries are wool and cotton textiles and food processing, including flour milling, sugar refining, and canning. The University of Concepción was established in 1919. The city was founded in 1550; in 1960 it was devastated by an earthquake. Coal is mined in the surrounding area, and there is a metallurgical plant (Huachipato).

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Concepción 

a city in central Paraguay and the administrative center of the department of Concepción. Population, 52,800 (1970). A port on the Paraguay River, the city is an important center of trade in animal products, tea, tobacco, and lumber. The chief industries include flour, textiles, leather, and lumber.