city, central Chile, located in the Central Valley near the Mataquito River. Founded in 1743 as San José de Buena Vista de Curicó, 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 wineries 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 Licantén, near the Pacific. Pop. (2002) 93,447.