CURICO, formerly a province of central Chile, lying be tween the provinces of Colchagua and Talca and extending from the Pacific to the Argentine frontier, now a department of the province of Talca. The eastern and western sections are moun tainous, and are separated by the fertile valley of central Chile. The mineral resources, though undeveloped, are said to include copper, gold and silver. Cattle, wheat and wine are the principal products, but Indian corn and fruit also are produced. On the coast are important salt-producing industries. The climate is mild and the rainfall more abundant than at the northern part of the valley, and the effects of this are to be seen in the better pasturage. Irrigation is used to a large extent. The principal city, Curico, is on the Mataquito river, 114m. S. of Santiago by the Chilean Central railway, which crosses the department. The city stands on the great central plain, 748ft. above sea-level, and in the midst of a comparatively well-cultivated district. It was founded in 1742 by Jose de Manso, and is one of the more cultured and progressive provincial towns of Chile. Pop. (1930)