Manuel Bulnes Prieto Biography

Takes office as President of Chile and begins a decade of national consolidation.

Oversees a national census as the government expands statistical knowledge of Chile's population.

Creates a government statistical office to strengthen the collection of demographic and administrative information.

Establishes the University of Chile as a national institution of higher education.

Establishes a Chilean settlement to assert sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan.

Promulgates legislation organizing the state's territorial administration through provinces and departments.

Leads Chile when Spain formally recognizes Chilean independence.

Promulgates legislation encouraging settlement and agricultural development in southern Chile.

Begins a second presidential term after securing re-election during the conservative republic.

Supports establishment of Punta Arenas to consolidate Chilean sovereignty and settlement in the Strait of Magellan.