Coquimbo

Coquimbo, also called LA SERENA, capital of a province of Chili, stands near the mouth of the river Coquimbo, on three terraces. It is a handsome town, with a new cathedral, seminary, lyceum, and hospital. Pop. 14,000. The port of Coquimbo is on a bay, 6 miles SW., and has a population of 5000. It exports copper, silver, and manganese ores, wool, cattle, hay, and cobalt.—The province of Coquimbo occupies the entire breadth of the country from the sea to the Andes. Its area is 12,855 sq. m.; pop. (1885) 176,244. The rainfall is small, save in the south, where some farming is carried on. The main occupation is mining of copper, as also silver and gold. See CHILI.