Forams 2014

We welcome you to Chile and to the University of Concepcion.

Concepción

Concepcion is located along the Bio Bio River, next to the Pacific Ocean, approximately 500 kms. south of the capital of Chile, Santiago. The city is the capital of the Bio Bio Region and is regarded as a University city.It is the frequent venue of national and international scientific congresses, workshops, seminars and symposiums.

Greater Concepcion's urban region includes Talcahuano, San Pedro de la Paz, Hualpén, Chiguayante, Penco, Tomé, Lota, Coronel, Hualqui and Concepción 

In addition, Concepcion offers a number of touristic and cultural attractions which we recommend.Among others, you may consider visiting the following during your stay:

• Convent of San Francisco
• Convent of La Merced
• Museum Cathedral of the Santísima Concepcion
• Museum of Natural History
• Museum and Park Hualpen
• Museum of History
• Municipal Market
• The Pinacoteca or Art Museum of Concepción
• Parque Ecuador to see the Gallery of History with displays from each era of the city's history
• Cerro Caracol

The Naval base at Talcahuano for a tour of Huáscar a historic relic from the Pacific War

• Lota and Chiflón del Diablo www.lotasorprendente.cL
• Salto del Laja, a spectacular waterfall in the Parque Salto del Laja
• Parque Nacional Laguna del Laja

Getting to Concepción

Concepcion is a well-connected city.All international flights arrive/depart in/from Santiago’s International Airport (“Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez” – SCL -, www.aeropuertosantiago.cl).Several domestic flights to Concepcion are available daily.The flight from Concepcion to Santiago takes approximately 50 minutes.The airport in Concepcion is called “Carriel Sur - CCP”.For more information please visit www.lan.com or www.skyairline.cl

It is also possible to drive to Concepcion along the Pan American Highway.It is an approximately 7 hour drive from Santiago.Car Rental is available at Santiago’s International Airport.http://www.aeropuertosantiago.cl/english/medios-de-transporte-desde-y-hacia-scl/rent-a-car.html

Bus transportation is also available.For more information please visit www.turbus.cl

Lodging in Concepcion

Concepcion offers a wide variety of lodging options, from B&B to 5 star hotels. Download hotel list (pdf)

Hotel El Araucano, located in downtown Concepcion (in front of the Main Square) and within walking distance from the Campus of the University of Concepcion will hold 100 rooms for attendants to FORAMS 2014. The deadline for bookings is December 15th 2013. When making your reservations please mention that you will be attending FORAMS 2014 organized by the University of Concepcion. For more information click here.

Dining in Concepcion

Concepcion offers a wide variety of dining options.From international cuisine to Chilean dishes.Download restaurant list (pdf)

Public Transportation

Public transportation is readily available connecting downtown Concepcion and the local communities.
Downtown Concepcion and the Main Campus of the University of Concepcion are within walking distance.

The University of concepción

The University of Concepción, UdeC, is one of the most prestigious universities in Chile. It is the third oldest university in the country, and it is part of the Council of Rectors.

The Main Campus, venue of FORAMS 2014, is located in Concepcion’ University City.Two additional campuses are located in Chillan and Los Angeles.

Founded in 1919, the University of Concepcion enrolls over 20,000 students in its undergraduate programs.To date, there are more than 1,600 postgraduate students taking any of the 23 doctorate programs, 49 master programs and 34 health specialties run at University of Concepción. CONAP (National Postgraduate Accreditation Commission) has accredited 18 doctoral programs and 18 master’s programs.

Download Institutional Video here
For more information please visit http://www.udec.cl/pexternoe/

Maps (Concepción & Campus)

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*Click en la imagen para agrandar

Travel tips

• Thecapital and largest city in Chile is Santiago 33°26′S 70°40′W
• Chile is divided into 15 regions (Concepcion is located in the 8 Region)
• The national language is Spanish
• The official unit currency is the Chilean peso (clp).Accessing funds through an ATM, known as Redbanc is by far the easiest and most convenient way of carrying money while in Chile. Most ATMs use the Plus (Visa) or Cirrus (MasterCard) systems and will accept your debit card. Most also have instructions in Spanish and English.Redbanc tellers are easily found everywhere around the city.Some banks will exchange cash (usually US dollars only); Exchange Houses and more tourist-oriented destinations will also exchange cash.The Rate of exchange varies daily.Please visit http://www.emol.com/economia/ to check exchange rates for different currencies.
• Chilean population is 16,572,475 (2012 Census estimate)
• The calling code is +56
• The internet TLD is .cl
• Time zones:

Easter Island - UTC-06, October-March UTC-05
Rest of Chile – UTC-04, October-March UTC-03

• The national flower is the copihue (Lapageria rosea, Chilean bellflower), which grows in the woods of southern Chile.
• Chile is known as a country of poets.Gabriela Mistral was the first Latin American to receive a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1945.However, the most famous Chilean poet is Pablo Neruda, also a Nobel Prize laureate in 1971.His homes in Isla Negra, Santiago and Valparaiso are popular touristic destinations and visited daily from visitors from around the world.
• The diverse climate of Chile ranges from the world’s driest desert through a milder Mediterranean climate in the center of the country.January is summer time in Concepcion and temperatures fluctuate between 10°C and 22°C.Occasional showers are to be expected.
• A valid passport is mandatory to enter Chile.The only exception applies to citizens of Argentina, Brasil, Peru, Uruguay and Paraguay who only need their national identity card.For more information on what type of visa you need to visit Chile , and the associated costs, please check with your travel agent and/or visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at http://www.minrel.gob.cl/prontus_minrel/site/artic/20080619/pags/20080619154024.php
• Visitors holding US, Canadian, Australian and Mexican passports are subject to a reciprocity fee which will be collected upon arrival at Santiago’s airport, before going through international police and customs.To date these fees are as follows: United States US$ 160; Canada US$ 132; Australia US$ 95; and Mexico U$ 23.
• Chile is regarded as a safe country and Concepcion as a safe city.Precautions should be taken as when visiting any major city in the world.We recommend watching for pickpockets especially when walking in downtown Concepcion or crowded places.A money belt would be a good idea.We also suggest eaving your passport and official documents safely in your hotel.
• We recommend travelling with any type of health insurance that will cover any health related issue during your stay.Bring personal medication in their original package and labeling. Antibiotics and other medicines are sold in Chile only upon presentation of a prescription.