** Paillaco** is a city and commune in southern Chile. It is located in Valdivia Province of Los Ríos Region, and is about 48 km southeast of Valdivia.

Demographics

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Paillaco spans an area of 896 sqkm and has 19,237 inhabitants (9,620 men and 9,617 women). Of these, 9,973 (51.8%) lived in urban areas and 9,264 (48.2%) in rural areas. The population grew by 6% (1,085 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.

Administration

As a commune, Paillaco 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 was Ramona Reyes. The council has the following members: Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Paillaco is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Enrique Jaramillo (PDC) and Gastón Von Mühlenbrock (UDI) as part of the 54th electoral district, together with Panguipulli, Los Lagos, Futrono, Lago Ranco, Río Bueno and La Unión. The commune is represented in the as part of the 16th senatorial constituency (Los Ríos Region).

Education

Previously the area had a German school, Deutsche Schule Paillaco.