TALCAHUANO, or TALCAGUANO  , a seaport of the province of Concepci6n, Chile, on the bay of Concepci6n, 8 m . N.W. of the city and port of that name . Pop . (1895) 10,431; (1902, estimated) 13499• It is sheltered by the island of Quiriquina . It has the best harbour on the Pacific coast of South America, and is one of the most important ports of southern Chile, being connected by rail with Concepci6n, Santiago and southern Chile . Its foreign trade is large and steadily increasing . The Chilean government has established its chief naval depot here .