during this time, precipitation is lower though still significant, averaging in January. Temperatures rarely exceed . The average annual precipitation is and there are 200 days with measureable precipitation. However, precipitation is highly variable from year to year with 1993 being the driest, recording only and 1977 being the wettest at . The record high was on January 27, 1975, and the record low was on June 30, 1970. Demographics According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Ancud spans an area of and has 39,946 inhabitants (19,793 men and 20,153 women). Of these, 27,292 (68.3%) lived in urban areas and 12,654 (31.7%) in rural areas. The population grew by 6.5% (2,430 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses. The demonym of a person from Ancud is Ancuditano for a man and Ancuditana for a woman. Administration As a commune, Ancud is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years. The 2008-2012 alcalde is Federico Krüger Finterbüch. Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Ancud is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Mr. Gabriel Ascencio (PDC) and Mr. Alejandro Santana (RN) as part of the 58th electoral district, together with Castro, Quemchi, Dalcahue, Curaco de Vélez, Quinchao, Puqueldón, Chonchi, Queilén, Quellón, Chaitén, Hualaihué, Futaleufú and Palena. The commune is represented in the Senate by Camilo Escalona Medina (PS) and Carlos Kuschel Silva (RN) as part of the 17th senatorial constituency (Los Lagos Region). Education Previously the area had a German school, Deutsche Schule Ancud-Chiloe. Landmarks Cathedral Colonial fort system The fort system of Ancud together with nearby the forts of Agüi one of the four fort systems that existed in colonial Chiloé. The fort system of Ancud is made up of two forts and four batteries. Fuerte Real de San Carlos was built as late as 1824 by orders of Antonio de Quintanilla, the last Spanish governor of Chiloé. The arsenal (polvorín) of this can still be seen at the centre of a small plaza. The battery of San Antonio is the best preserved part of the fort system. Gallery See also Ancud Volcanic Complex Churches of Chiloé Islotes de Puñihuil Natural Monument Mahlon Williamson (barque) References External links Municipality of Ancud Satellite view of the Chiloé archipielago (Google maps) Satellite view of Ancud (Google maps) Communes of Chile Port cities in Chile Populated