Hijuelas


Hijuelas is a city and commune in the Quillota Province of central Chile's fifth region of Valparaíso.

Geography

Hijuelas spans an area of in Chile's Zona Central. It is known as The Capital of the Flowers as it is the largest producer of flowers in Chile, contributing more than 49% of the nation's total production.

Demographics

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Hijuelas has 16,014 inhabitants. Of these, 8,196 lived in urban areas and 7,818 in rural areas. The population grew by 14.9% between the 1992 and 2002 censuses. Hijuelas hosts 1.04% of the region's population.

Economy

The principal economic activities in Hijuleas are agronomy and agriculture, especially in the cultivation of flowers, plants, trees, and fruits such as avocados and citruses. Its cultivated land, irrigated by the Aconcagua River, provides a high quality microclimate for exporting agricultural products. Also in Hijuelas exists a world-leading company in the production of ornamental bulbs and seeds, whose products are exported to various countries such as Japan, the Netherlands, and others.

Administration

As a commune, Hijuelas is a third-level administrative division of Chile, administered by a municipal council, which is headed by a directly elected alcalde. The current alcalde is Verónica Rossat Arriagada. The communal council has the following members:
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Hijuelas is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Mr. Eduardo Cerda and Mrs. Andrea Molina as part of the 10th electoral district,. The commune is represented in the Senate by Ignacio Walker Prieto and Lily Pérez San Martín as part of the 5th senatorial constituency.