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Gran Valparaíso (Greater Valparaíso) is the third largest Conurbation in Chile, after Santiago and Gran Concepción. It takes this name after the city of Valparaíso, the oldest city of the group and the most important harbour in Chile.
The aglomeration is composed of several municipalities comunas:
These comunas have the following characteristics:
- Exceptuating Concón (considered a town), each comuna is recognized as an independent city in the Chilean census.
- Valparaíso, Viña del Mar and Concón are coastal cities. Villa Alemana and Quipué are located in inner valleys and belong to the group of cities known as El Interior (The Interior).
- Valparaíso and Viña del Mar traditionally concentrated industrial and commercial activities, while Quilpué and Villa Alemana are primarily residential, and therefore often considered ciudades dormitorio (bedroom communities).
Gran Valparaíso also has the second largest concentration of universities in Chile. Besides the Traditional Universities, it has several private institutions, including Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez.
| Gran Valparaíso | |
|---|---|
| Cities | Valparaíso | Viña del Mar | Concón | Quilpué | Villa Alemana |
| Universities | Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso | Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María | Universidad de Valparaíso| Universidad de Playa Ancha |
| Culture & Sports | El Mercurio de Valparaíso | Santiago Wanderers |