Gran Concepción is the second largest conurbation

Conurbation

A conurbation is a region comprising a number of cities, large towns, and other urban areas that, through population growth and physical expansion, have merged to form one continuous urban and industrially developed area...

 in Chile

Chile

Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...

, after Greater Santiago

Santiago

Santiago is the capital city of Chile. Santiago may also refer to:*Santiago *Santiago , a Spanish given name*Santiago!, a shortened form of the Reconquista battle cry "Santiago y cierra, España"...

 with 1,013,856 inhabitants. According to the National Statistics Institute , the population projection for 2012 is 1,019,775 inhabitants.

It takes its name after the city of Concepción

Concepción, Chile

Concepción is a city in Chile, capital of Concepción Province and of the Biobío Region or Region VIII. Greater Concepción is the second-largest conurbation in the country, with 889,725 inhabitants...

, the regional capital and main city.

The agglomeration is composed of:

• Concepción
  Concepción, Chile
  Concepción is a city in Chile, capital of Concepción Province and of the Biobío Region or Region VIII. Greater Concepción is the second-largest conurbation in the country, with 889,725 inhabitants...
  
  
• Talcahuano
  Talcahuano
  Talcahuano is a port city and commune in the Biobío Region of Chile. It is part of the Greater Concepción conurbation. Talcahuano is located in the south of the Central Zone of Chile.-Geography:...
  
  
• Chiguayante
  Chiguayante
  Chiguayante is a Chilean city and commune in Concepción Province, Biobío Region. It is part of Greater Concepción.-Demographics:According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Chiguayante spans an area of and has 81,302 inhabitants . Of these, 81,238 lived in urban areas and 64...
  
  
• San Pedro de la Paz
  San Pedro de la Paz
  San Pedro de la Paz is a Chilean city and commune located in the Concepción Province, Biobío Region. It has some 80,447 inhabitants according to the 2002 national census. In 2005, the Pedro Aguirre Cerda avenue, the main avenue in the city, was completed. Most of the inhabitants of this comuna...
  
  
• Hualpén
  Hualpén
  Hualpén is a Chilean city and commune belonging to Concepción Province and the Biobío Region. It forms part of the conurbation of Greater Concepción. The commune spans an area of .-Demographics:...
  
  
• Penco
  Penco
  Penco is a Chilean city and commune in Concepción Province, Biobío Region on the Bay of Concepción. Founded as the city of Concepción del Nuevo Extremo on February 12, 1550 by Pedro de Valdivia, it is the third oldest city in the country after Santiago founded first in 1541 and La Serena second...
  
  
• Tomé
  Tomé
  Tomé is a port city and commune in the Biobío Region of Chile. It is bordered by Coelemu to the north, Ránquil and Florida to the east, Penco to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west...
  
  
• Coronel
• Lota
  Lota, Chile
  Lota is a city and commune located in the center of the Chile on the Gulf of Arauco. It lies within the Concepción Province of the Biobío Region.-History:...
  
  
• Hualqui
  Hualqui
  Hualqui is a Chilean city and commune in the Concepción Province, Biobio Region. It is also part of the Greater Concepcion conurbation, although it maintains a rural profile. It had a population of 18,768 inhabitants according to the 2002 census....
  
  

Gran Concepción has also the second largest concentration of universities in Chile. Apart from the so called Traditional Universities, it has several private institutions. The Universidad de Concepción

Universidad de Concepción

The University of Concepción , also known for its acronym 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. It was the first University founded in the South of Chile, and the first to become a...

 is the most important university in the conurbation.

There is also a suburban train system which serves most of the communes  in the conurbation: Biotren

Biotren

The similar system for Metro of Concepción or Biotren is basic at grade urban commuter rail system that covers a big part of the city of Concepción, capital of the region of Bío-Bío, also known as Gran Concepción or Concepción Metropolitan Area, both synonyms of "city" according to the urbanistic...

.

Barrio Estación

Across from the "Concepción" suburban train station is the popular Barrio Estación, the biggest concentration of bars, pubs, and clubs in the city. In most places you can enjoy live music, have local food, drink and meet people.

Commerce

The commerce in Greater Concepcion is mostly located in Concepcion city center, also in the Mall Plaza el Trebol, in Talcahuano.