Introduction Arica-Parinacota Region Tarapacá Region Antofagasta Region Atacama Region Coquimbo Region Valparaíso Region O´Higgins Region Maule Region Bío Bío Region La Araucanía Region Los Ríos Region Los Lagos Region Aysén Region Magallanes & the Chilean Antartic Region Metropolitan Region

Capital: Santiago

Area: 15,403.2 km2

Population: 6,061,185 inhabitants (2002 Census)

Population density: 392.1 inhab/km2

Principal economic activities: Manufacturing, financial services, services and retail.

 

This is Chile's most populated region but also the smallest in terms of area. It is the seat of the executive branch of government and of the judicial system. 

Since its foundation in 1542, Santiago has grown into a dynamic and cosmopolitan city. It is the nerve center of Chile's economy and has the largest number of museums, universities, cinemas, theatres and sports facilities.

From around the city, the Andes Mountains are a reference point and, in winter, their show-capped peaks form a spectacular backdrop just a few kilometers from the center of the city.

Santiago has spread out along the valley of the Mapocho and Maipo rivers and new neighborhoods are steadily climbing the Andes foothills. In recent years, important investments have been made in restoring historic parts of the city, renovating its downtown area and planting new green areas.

The so-called “civic center” occupies the eight blocks around the La Moneda presidential palace and this is where most ministries, services and commercial banks are to be found. The Cathedral and City Hall are located in Plaza de Armas, the central square of downtown Santiago.

The city's different neighborhoods fan out in a diverse tapestry and include the Concha y Toro area, with its neoclassical architecture, and bohemian Bellavista under the San Cristóbal Hill. Most of the city's new high-rise buildings are in Vitacura and El Golf which are also home to the Latin American headquarters of several United Nations organizations. Many foreign investors also have their offices here even if their production facilities are located in another region.

The San Cristóbal Hill, which dominates the city, has a height of 880 meters above sea level.

Until 1872, the Santa Lucía Hill, at the foot of which Santiago was founded, was a bare outcrop of rock but Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna, then the city's mayor, transformed it into a public park, with shady trees and gardens.

The Mapocho Station, inaugurated in 1913, was originally the terminal for railway services between Santiago and Valparaíso. In 1994, it was remodeled and became the Mapocho Cultural Center.

Around 80% of the land in the region has agricultural potential and, for some years now, a large part of this area and, particularly, the Maipo Valley has been devoted to wine production.

This valley is, in fact, where some of the country's oldest wineries were founded and their original cellars, built in the nineteenth century, have been preserved. However, as Santiago has expanded, new vineyards have gradually moved further away.   

In preparation for celebration of the Bicentenary of Chile's Independence in 2010, Santiago has launched an important renovation plan that includes restoration of the civic center and a Green Plan that aims to double the number of trees in the region, particularly in poorer neighborhoods, and to reach 6 m2 of green area per inhabitant, up from 3.7 at present.

Between 2004 and 2006, over 215 kms of new high-standard highways were opened in the city under a public infrastructure program. In addition, the Transantiago Plan, a bicentennial project, seeks to provide the city with a modern public transport system that is clean, fast and safe and reduces noise and traffic congestion.

Other projects developed as part of the Bicentennial Plan include the new Plaza de la Ciudadanía (Citizens' Plaza) built on the south side of the La Moneda palace. Under this Plaza, the Moneda Palace Cultural Center has an area of 9,000 m2 divided into three levels, with two large halls for art exhibitions, an auditorium, a library, shops and parking facilities.

 

Coordinates and area

The region stretches between 32°55'S and 34°19'S and between 69°46'W and 71°43'W. According to the Military Geographic Institute (IGM), it has an area of 15,403.2 km2 and is the country's smallest region as well as the only one without a coastline.

 

Land formation

The Santiago Region has some of the country's most clearly defined physical geography and comprises the three basic elements of central Chile: the Cordillera de la Costa, the Intermediate Depression and the Andes. A fourth area, the Marginal Basins, is to be found on the eastern edge of the Cordillera de la Costa.

 

Climate

Up to 1,500 meters above sea level, a warm temperate climate with a long dry period prevails. In the mountains, the climate gradually becomes harsher as altitude rises and temperatures drop while rainfall increases. 

 

Water resources

The region's water system comprises principally the Maipo River and its main tributaries, the Mapocho, Yeso and Colorado. Water levels reach their maximum from November to February due to the melting of snow on the mountains, although torrential winter rain can also flood the city's main streets. The Yali and Alhué streams, which rise in the Cordillera de la Costa, do not form part of the Maipo system.

 

Population

According to the 2002 Census, the region had a population of 6,061,185 inhabitants of whom 2,937,193 were men and 3,123,992 were women, giving a population density of 392 inhabitants/km2. Between 2000 and 2005, the population expanded at an estimated mean annual rate of 1.35%. 

 

Economic sectors

As well as being Chile's capital, Santiago is also its administrative, industrial, commercial, financial and cultural center. According to Central Bank figures, with 1986 as their base year, the region produces 41.5% of the country's GDP. 

 

Administrative divisions

REGIONAL CAPITAL	PROVINCES	MUNICIPALITIES
Santiago	Santiago	Santiago Independencia Conchalí Huechuraba Recoleta Providencia Vitacura Lo Barnechea Las Condes Ñuñoa La Reina Macul Peñalolén La Florida San Joaquín La Granja La Pintana San Ramón San Miguel La Cisterna El Bosque Pedro Aguirre Cerda Lo Espejo Estación Central Cerrillos Maipú Quinta Normal Lo Prado Pudahuel Cerro Navia Renca Quilicura
	Chacabuco	Colina Lampa Tiltil
	Cordillera	Puente Alto San José de Maipo Pirque
	Maipo	San Bernardo Buin Paine Calera de Tango
	Melipilla	Melipilla María Pinto Curacaví Alhué San Pedro
	Talagante	Talagante Peñaflor Isla de Maipo El Monte Padre Hurtado

Foreign Direct Investment DL 600 Statistics in Metropolitan Region (1974 - 2008), (Excel, 146 Kb.)

You may find information about this Region in the following websites (spanish):

- Gobierno Regional
- Corfo
- Servicio de Impuestos Internos
- Gobierno de Chile
- Servicio Nacional de Turismo

Also, in the National Statistics Bureau Website you may find more regional information (spanish): Census, Regional Economic Reports, Territorial Publications, Projects, Statistics and other Publications.