Petorca is a Chilean town and commune located in the Petorca Province, Valparaíso Region. The commune spans an area of 1516.6 sqkm. Since 2010 Petorca has been affected by a long-term drought aggravated by poor water administration that have allowed limited water resources go to avocado plantations rather than human settlements.

Demographics

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Petorca has 9,440 inhabitants (4,806 men and 4,634 women). Of these, 4,535 (48%) lived in urban areas and 4,905 (52%) in rural areas. The population grew by 1.8% (167 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.

Administration

As a commune, Petorca 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 2012-2016 alcalde is Gustavo Valdenegro Rubillo. The council has the following members: Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Petorca is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Eduardo Cerda (PDC) and Andrea Molina (UDI) as part of the 10th electoral district, (together with La Ligua Cabildo, Papudo, Zapallar, Puchuncaví, Quintero, Nogales, Calera, La Cruz, Quillota and Hijuelas). The commune is represented in the Senate by Ignacio Walker Prieto (PDC) and Lily Pérez San Martín (RN) as part of the 5th senatorial constituency (Valparaíso-Cordillera).