Bío-Bío

Region in south-central Chile, which follows the Bío-Bío valley; area 36,929 sq km/14,258 sq mi; population (1996) 1,830,651. The regional capital is Concepción. The region derives its name from the Bío-Bío River, which crosses it from east to west. Inland, the province is largely rural, with an economy based on timber, sugar beet, wheat, and food-processing industries. Near the coast, mineral extraction is important (principally coal and copper); industry is centred on the city of Concepción and the port of Talcahuano, which is the home of Chile's main naval base and dry docks.