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Viρa
del Mar, city in central Chile, in Valparaνso Region, on the Pacific
Ocean, at the mouth of the Estero Marga-Marga River. The cities of
Viρa del Mar and Valparaνso constitute a metropolitan region. A leading
resort of the country and one of the major seaside resorts in Latin
America, the city is also a manufacturing center. It is a road hub
on the coastal railroad in an agricultural area. Industries include
sugar refining, vegetable-oil milling, fruit processing, and the manufacture
of chemicals, petroleum products, wine, textiles, and soap. In the
city are luxurious estates, waterfront hotels, parks and gardens,
social clubs, a municipal casino and theater, sport facilities (including
the racetrack of the famous Valparaνso Sporting Club), and extensive
beaches. The summer residence of the president of Chile is in Viρa
del Mar. Originally the Native American settlement of Penco and settled
by the Spaniards in 1560, Viρa del Mar was long under Jesuit control.
The city was laid out in 1874. Population (1998) 335,512.
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