Lanco is a city and commune in southern Chile administered by the Municipality of Lanco. It is located in Valdivia Province in Los Ríos Region, about 69 km northeast of Valdivia by road, close to Cruces River.

Demographics

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Lanco spans an area of 532.4 sqkm and has 15,107 inhabitants (7,415 men and 7,692 women). Of these, 10,383 (68.7%) lived in urban areas and 4,724 (31.3%) in rural areas. Between the 1992 and 2002 censuses, the population grew by 9.8% (1,350 persons).

Transport

The highway Chile Route 5 passes by Lanco.

Administration

As a commune, Lanco is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years. The 2008-2012 alcalde is Luis Cuvertino Gómez (PS). Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Lanco is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Alfonso De Urresti (PS) and Roberto Delmastro (RN) as part of the 53rd electoral district, together with Valdivia, Mariquina, Máfil and Corral. The commune is represented in the as part of the 16th senatorial constituency (Los Ríos Region).