Cauquenes Province

Cauquenes Province is an administrative region in the Maule Region containing three municipalities: Cauquenes, Chanco, and Pelluhue. The territory mixes agricultural plains with coastal areas, creating varied landscapes across the province.

The provincial capital was founded in 1742 after indigenous leaders granted the land to Spanish authorities. This marked a significant shift in regional governance and settlement patterns.

Cheese making defines daily life in Chanco, while wine growing is woven throughout the province and fishing remains central to Pelluhue's identity on the coast. These practices shape how locals work and what visitors see when exploring the area.

The province has strong road connections running north and south, with regular bus services linking all three municipal centers. Using local buses is practical for traveling between the different areas.

The province takes its name from an extinct salmon species, the cauque salmon, that once inhabited local rivers before European arrival. This connection to pre-contact wildlife reveals how the ecology changed after colonial settlement began.

Location: Maule Región

Capital city: Cauquenes

Elevation above the sea: 157 m

Shares border with: Talca Province, Linares Province, Punilla Province, Itata Province

Website: http://gobernacioncauquenes.gov.cl

GPS coordinates: -35.95000,-72.31667

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:44