Chillán

City in central Chile, in the region of Bío- Bío, 80 km/50 mi east of Concepción; population (2002) 146,700. The main figure in Chile's rise to nationhood and independence from Spanish colonial rule, Bernardo O'Higgins, was born here in 1778. Chillán is a thriving commercial city with a trade in wine, vegetables, grain, and cattle, and leather and flour industries.

The area around Chillán, on the slopes of the Chillán volcano, includes hot springs and skiing facilities, which attract tourists to the region.

Earthquakes destroyed Chillán in 1833 and 1939, necessitating a complete reconstruction of the city. Another serious shock damaged the city in 1960. Prior to 1975, Chillán was the capital of Nuble province. Chillán marks the approximate border of La Frontera, an area controlled by the Mapuche Indians until the late 19th century.