Penco

Penco
Center of Penco


Penco
Location in Chile
Coordinates (city): 36°44′S 72°59′W / 36.733°S 72.983°W / -36.733; -72.983
CountryChile
RegionBío Bío
ProvinceConcepción
FoundedFebruary 12, 1550
Founded asConcepción del Nuevo Extremo
Founded byPedro de Valdivia
Government
  TypeMunicipality
  AlcaldeVíctor Figueroa Rebolledo (ILE)
Area
  Total
107.6 km2 (41.5 sq mi)
Elevation
115 m (377 ft)
Population
 (2012 Census)
  Total
46,176
  Density430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
  Urban
45,361
  Rural
655
DemonymPencones
Sex
  Men22,366
  Women23,650
Time zoneUTC−4 (CLT)
  Summer (DST)UTC−3 (CLST)
Area code56 + 41
WebsiteOfficial website (in Spanish)

Penco (Mapudungun: See (Pen), Water (Ko)), is a Chilean city and commune in Concepción Province, Bío Bío Region on the Bay of Concepción. Founded as the city of Concepción del Nuevo Extremo ('beginning of the new extreme') on February 12, 1550 by Pedro de Valdivia, it is the third oldest city in Chile, after capital Santiago founded first in 1541 and La Serena second in 1544.

As there may be confusion between the demonyms of the inhabitants of Concepción and Penco. Due to the previous location of Concepción, inhabitants of that city are called penquistas while inhabitants of Penco are known as pencones.