Concepción, Chile

Concepción is located in the southern half of Chile. With over 1 million inhabitants the city is second in size only to Santiago. It is made up of various towns and villages located in the delta of the Biobio River.

The city was founded in 1550 by Pedro de Valdivia. He had planned to found the city in 1546 but was unable to do so due to the warring indigenous population. For centuries Concepción was the southern most point of Spanish rule. It was only in the 19th century that immigrants, mostly from Germany, where able to conquer the lands from the native population. Until this day, the region has a vocal Mapuche Indian minority.

Concepción currently has two universities:

• Universidad de concepción
• Universidad de Biobio