city, south-central Chile. It lies on the Pacific coast at the mouth of the Lebu River. Founded in 1739 but destroyed several times by Araucanian Indians, it became a provincial capital in 1875 and now serves an agricultural and mining hinterland.

The principal products of the locality are grains, legumes, livestock, and coal. A minor transportation hub, Lebu is a coal port and is linked by road and railroad to provincial towns and to Concepción, 65 miles (105 km) north. Tourism, based on nearby beaches, is an added source of income. The picturesque Lake Lanalhue lies 39 miles (63 km) southeast. Pop. (2002) 20,838.