CURIC

capital of Curic provincia, Maule region, central Chile, lying in the Central Valley near the Mataquito River. Founded in 1743 as San Jos de Buena Vista de Curic, it was given city status in 1830. In 1928 it was devastated by an earthquake, but the fine Plaza de Armas (central square) survived. The surrounding agricultural area is famed for its wine grapes. The city has flour mills and distilleries and is the centre for local huasos (cowboys). It is on the Pan-American Highway and main north-south railroad, and branches of both run westward to Licantn, near the Pacific. Pop. (1990 est.) mun., 106,092.