Linares Province

Linares Province is an agricultural region in Maule that spreads across flat, fertile land in Chile's Central Valley. The territory contains eight communes connected by roads, with farmland covering most of the landscape and small towns serving as local centers.

Linares city was founded in 1794 when Ambrosio O'Higgins established it and gave it the name Villa San Ambrosio de Linares as a Spanish colonial settlement. The city grew into the provincial capital and became the hub for agricultural activity in the surrounding lands.

Agriculture shapes daily life here, with farming traditions deeply rooted in the communities across eight communes that work the fields and orchards. The rhythm of the seasons drives how people in these towns and villages organize their time, from planting to harvest.

The province sits about 300 kilometers south of Santiago and is easily accessible by Route 5, the main highway that runs through the region. Train services also connect this area to the capital, giving travelers different options for getting around.

This region produces more rice than anywhere else in Chile, making it the country's primary rice-growing area by a significant margin. The flat terrain and warm climate create conditions where rice farming has become the defining crop of the local economy.

Location: Maule Región

Capital city: Linares

Elevation above the sea: 157 m

Shares border with: Talca Province, Cauquenes Province, Minas Department, Punilla Province

Website: http://gobernacionlinares.gov.cl

GPS coordinates: -35.83333,-71.58333

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:23