The city's economy is based mainly on agriculture, because the Mediterranean climate creates comparative advantages with markets such as apples, wines, and cherries.
The major industries are wine, agro industries, stand out cement and sugar. The economic force of the vineyards generates development and investment for the city.
In human development the city had 0.716 (UNDP, Chile 2000), reaching the 97th position in the municipalities of Chile
An interesting feature of the city is its wine culture. It is reflected in a number of ways, for example, between March 15 and 20 each year, the city celebrates a large wine celebration, the Fiesta de la Vendimia (Wine Harvest Festival). Furthermore, the region has its own tourist circuit, La Ruta del Vino (The Wine Route), in Curic� Valley.
Potrero Grande is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. It is a mountainous area with large forests and waterfalls, located about 30 km (19 mi) from Curic�. The rivers around Curic� are excellent for trekking.
It is known in the country as "the city of cakes" (many cakes are made there from manjar, meringue and fruit), and is known for its wine.
Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas (Main Square) is the most visited public place (declared a "Typical Zone"), and it is now a tourist destination because of its 60 palms and exotic plants, sculpture-ornamented water fountains, and the iron-made civil kiosks. There is a steel kiosk which is a historical and cultural monument. There is also a monument to Lautaro carved on the trunk of a beech tree, created by the famous craftsman of Vichuqu�n, Heraclio "Kako" Calqu�n. Located around Plaza de Armas are the mayor's house (alcald�a) and the governor's house.
A few blocks from the plaza, the Alameda Antonio Manso de Velasco avenue crosses the city with its gardens and leafy trees. There is also the Condell hill, a place which offers a panoramic view of the city and the San Francisco
