TALCA  , a

province of Chile, bounded N. by Curico, E. by Argentina, S. by Linares and Maule, and W. by the Pacific . Area 3840 sq. m . Pop . (1895) 128,961 . In the E. the Andean slopes cover a considerable part of its territory, and in the W. another large area is covered by the coast range . Between these is the central valley of Chile in which the population and industries of the province are chiefly concentrated . The mountainous parts are well wooded . The intermediate plain, which is rolling and slopes gently to the S., is fertile and devoted to wheat and stock . The capital of the province is Talca (pop . 1895, 33,232; 1902 estimated 42,766), on the Rio Claro, a tributary of the Maule, 156 m. by rail S. of Santiago . It is one of the most important provincial towns and commercial centres of central Chile . There are woollen factories, especially for the universally worn " poncho." Talca has railway connexion with Santiago on the N., with Concepci6n on the S., and with Constituci6n at the mouth of the Maule .