Concepción is a city in Chile, capital of the Eighth Region. Greater Concepcion (including Talcahuano, San Pedro and Chiguayante) is the second-largest conurbation in the country, with over one million inhabitants.
Concepción was founded by Pedro de Valdivia in 1550 north of the Bio-Bio river, just a few kilometers north of La Frontera (The Fontier), the limit between the Chilean-Spanish territory and the land of the Mapuche, an ethnic group that was not subjugated until the 1870s. The city was a significant military settlement for the Viceroyalty of Peru but was still overrun and destroyed on several occasions by Mapuche armies during the early period of Spanish colonialism.
Concepción was the home of the Real Audiencia , the most important government organization during Spanish colonial times. When the First National Government Board met in Santiago on September 18, 1810, citizens of Concepción joined up. Concepcion was used as the point of entry by the Spanish Army in the attempt by the Viceroyalty of Peru to re-conquer Chile. Concepción politicians and soldiers became a significant political force in the newly-independent country.
On February 20, 1835, the city was destroyed by an earthquake.
Concepción is the second largest city of the country and has many important industries. The Universidad de Concepción, headquartered in the city, is well respected, and the neighbouring harbour of Talcahuano holds the largest naval base in the country.
This city is one the most active cities in music rock activities. Most of the famous rock groups in Chile started up in Concepción.
Concepción currently has four traditional universities: