BíoBío

BíoBío is a name used in Chile to refer to two closely related geographical and administrative entities: the BíoBío River and the BíoBío Region. The term appears in maps, government documents, and media and is tied to the central-southern area of the country through the river that runs through it.

The BíoBío River (Río BíoBío) is one of Chile’s major rivers. It rises in the Andes near the border with Argentina and flows westward toward the Pacific Ocean, passing near important urban centers along its course. The river’s basin has long supported irrigation, industry, and energy development, and several hydroelectric facilities have been built along its length. The BíoBío is a defining feature of the region’s landscape and economy, shaping settlement, agriculture, and regional planning.

The BíoBío Region (Región del Biobío) is one of Chile’s sixteen first-order administrative divisions. Located in the central-southern part of the country, its regional capital is Concepción. The region encompasses coastal plains, river valleys, and Andean foothills, and includes natural areas such as Nahuelbuta National Park. Its economy is diverse, with manufacturing, fishing, forestry, agriculture, and services playing important roles. Higher education institutions, including the Universidad de Concepción and the Universidad del Bío-Bío, serve the region. Created in 1974 as part of Chile’s regional reorganization, the BíoBío Region is subdivided into municipalities that manage local affairs while sharing governance with the central regional authorities.

In summary, BíoBío refers to a major Chilean river and to the adjacent regional entity named after it, both central to the country’s geography, economy, and identity.