Biobío Province is an inland province in the Bío-Bío Region of southern Chile, bounded on the north, west and south by the provinces of Concepción, Arauco and Malleco respectively, and on the east by Argentina. It has an area of 5246 sq. m. (13,600 km²) of well-wooded and mountainous country, and exports timber to a large extent. The great trunk railway from Santiago south to Puerto Montt crosses the western part of the province and also connects it with the port of Concepción. The capital, Los Angeles (est. pop.: 7,777 in 1902, 94,716 in 2002) lies 15½ m. (25 km) east of this railway and is connected with it by a branch line.

Los Angeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII (the Biobío region), in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 94,716 inhabitants (census 2002). To the north of the city is Salto del Laja (Laja Falls), and roughly 100 kilometers to the east is the 5800 meter high (19,029 ft) Antuco volcano, in the Andes mountain range.

History
Founded as Santa María de Los Ángeles in 1739 by Manso de Velasco, it was originally a Spanish fort as an outpost in the War of Arauco. It received the title of villa in 1748. The city underwent numerous rebuildings, due to the Spanish military campaigns against the native Mapuche in their efforts to colonize the area. Its geographic location, just to the north of the Biobío river (the border established by the Spaniards), made it a strategic location.