Purén

Purén
Fort of Purén with the town in background


Purén
Location in Chile
Coordinates (city): 38°01′55″S 73°04′22″W / 38.03194°S 73.07278°W / -38.03194; -73.07278
CountryChile
RegionLa Araucanía
ProvinceMalleco
Government
  TypeMunicipality
  AlcaldeBenigno Quiñones Lara (PDC)
Area
  Total
464.9 km2 (179.5 sq mi)
Elevation
88 m (289 ft)
Population
 (2012 Census)
  Total
11,815
  Density25/km2 (66/sq mi)
  Urban
7,604
  Rural
5,264
Sex
  Men6,408
  Women6,460
Time zoneUTC−4 (CLT)
  Summer (DST)UTC−3 (CLST)
Area codecountry 56 + city 45
WebsiteOfficial website

Purén is a city (2002 pop. 12,868) and commune in Malleco Province of La Araucanía Region, Chile. It is located in the west base of the Cordillera de Nahuelbuta (650 km. south of Santiago). The economical activity of Purén is based in forest exploitation and agriculture. The most characteristic product of Purén is the white strawberry which is one of two species of strawberry that were hybridized to create the modern garden strawberry.

In the Mapuche language or Mapudungun Purén means swampy place.