Santiago Metropolitan Region
Encyclopedia
Santiago Metropolitan Region or simply Metropolitan Region is one of Chile
's 15 first order administrative division
s. It is the country's only landlocked
administrative region and contains the nation's capital
, Santiago
. Most commercial and administrative centers are located in the region, including Chile's main international airport, Arturo Merino Benítez.
With an area of 15403.2 sqkm and population over 6 million, it is Chile's smallest, most populated and most densely populated region. It is also the country's only region that does not have a Roman numeral identifier.
was founded. When the Santiago cabildo
was built, its function was to supervise the entire territory. Later, with the creation of the cities of La Serena and Concepción
and the creation of their respective cabildos, its territorial reach was reduced.
On August 30, 1826, 8 provinces
were created, with the Santiago Province being one of them, but it wasn't until 1980 that the Metropolitan Region was created.
and the Andes mountains. Cerro San Cristóbal dominates the sprawling Santiago cityscape at a height of 880 m (2,887 ft) above sea level with city suburbs steadily climbing the foothills of the Andes to the east. The Tupungato
stratovolcano
, measures 6570 m (21,555 ft) on the Argentine
border, is one of South America
's highest peaks.
The dominant drainage basin feeds into the Mapocho River; its main tributaries are the Maipo
, Yeso
and Colorado rivers.
, according to central bank estimates. The Plaza de Armas, the central square in downtown Santiago, hosts the city's cathedral and city hall. Eight city blocks around the presidential palace, La Moneda, are where most ministries, services and commercial banks can be found. Vitacura
and El Golf host most of the city's high-rise buildings and are also home to the Latin America
n headquarters of several United Nations
organizations. Though Santiago's expansion has caused newer vineyards to more rural locations, many of the country's oldest wineries, built in the 19th century, have preserved cellars in the valley.
, which are themselves divided into 52 communes. The region is governed by the intendant
, who is assigned by the president
. In 2008, Igor Garafulic
replaced Álvaro Erazo as the region's intendant. The administration of each commune resides on the respective municipality.
The region's representatives in the Senate
are:
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
's 15 first order administrative division
Administrative division
An administrative division, subnational entity, or country subdivision is a portion of a country or other political division, established for the purpose of government. Administrative divisions are each granted a certain degree of autonomy, and are required to manage themselves through their own...
s. It is the country's only landlocked
Landlocked
A landlocked country is a country entirely enclosed by land, or whose only coastlines lie on closed seas. There are 48 landlocked countries in the world, including partially recognized states...
administrative region and contains the nation's capital
Capital City
Capital City was a television show produced by Euston Films which focused on the lives of investment bankers in London living and working on the corporate trading floor for the fictional international bank Shane-Longman....
, Santiago
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. Santiago may also refer to:*Santiago *Santiago , a Spanish given name*Santiago!, a shortened form of the Reconquista battle cry "Santiago y cierra, España"...
. Most commercial and administrative centers are located in the region, including Chile's main international airport, Arturo Merino Benítez.
With an area of 15403.2 sqkm and population over 6 million, it is Chile's smallest, most populated and most densely populated region. It is also the country's only region that does not have a Roman numeral identifier.
History
The region's history of European influence started in 1542, a few days after SantiagoSantiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. Santiago may also refer to:*Santiago *Santiago , a Spanish given name*Santiago!, a shortened form of the Reconquista battle cry "Santiago y cierra, España"...
was founded. When the Santiago cabildo
Cabildo (council)
For a discussion of the contemporary Spanish and Latin American cabildo, see Ayuntamiento.A cabildo or ayuntamiento was a former Spanish, colonial administrative council that governed a municipality. Cabildos were sometimes appointed, sometimes elected, but were considered to be representative of...
was built, its function was to supervise the entire territory. Later, with the creation of the cities of La Serena and Concepción
Concepción, Chile
Concepción is a city in Chile, capital of Concepción Province and of the Biobío Region or Region VIII. Greater Concepción is the second-largest conurbation in the country, with 889,725 inhabitants...
and the creation of their respective cabildos, its territorial reach was reduced.
On August 30, 1826, 8 provinces
Provinces of Chile
A province is the second largest administrative division in Chile, after a region. Each region is divided into provinces. There are 54 provinces in total....
were created, with the Santiago Province being one of them, but it wasn't until 1980 that the Metropolitan Region was created.
Geography
Metropolitana is Chile's only landlocked region and lies in the Intermediate Depression valley between the Chilean Coast RangeChilean Coast Range
The Chilean Coastal Range is a mountain range that runs from north to south along the Pacific coast of South America parallel to the Andean Mountains, extending from Morro de Arica in the north to Taitao Peninsula, where it ends at the Chile Triple Junction, in the south. The range has a strong...
and the Andes mountains. Cerro San Cristóbal dominates the sprawling Santiago cityscape at a height of 880 m (2,887 ft) above sea level with city suburbs steadily climbing the foothills of the Andes to the east. The Tupungato
Tupungato
Tupungato, one of the highest mountains in South America, is a massive stratovolcano dating to Pleistocene times. It lies on the border between the Chilean Metropolitan Region and the , near a major international highway about 80 km east of Santiago, Chile. It is located about south of Monte...
stratovolcano
Stratovolcano
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall, conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash. Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, explosive eruptions...
, measures 6570 m (21,555 ft) on the Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
border, is one of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
's highest peaks.
The dominant drainage basin feeds into the Mapocho River; its main tributaries are the Maipo
Maipo River
Maipo River is the main river flowing through Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile. Its headwaters are on the west slope of Maipo volcano, in the Andes. Its most famous tributary is Mapocho River. The Maipo River is by far the major source of irrigation and potable water for the region.-Course:In...
, Yeso
Yeso River
-References:*...
and Colorado rivers.
Climate
The region's warm, temperate climate prevails with long, dry periods. At higher elevations, temperatures drop and rainfall increases.Economy and culture
The region's principal industries include manufacturing, services, retail, and financial services. The capital of Santiago serves as the country's administrative, industrial, commercial, financial and cultural center, producing 41.5% of Chile's gross domestic productGross domestic product
Gross domestic product refers to the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period. GDP per capita is often considered an indicator of a country's standard of living....
, according to central bank estimates. The Plaza de Armas, the central square in downtown Santiago, hosts the city's cathedral and city hall. Eight city blocks around the presidential palace, La Moneda, are where most ministries, services and commercial banks can be found. Vitacura
Vitacura
Vitacura is a commune of Chile located in Santiago Province, Santiago Metropolitan Region. It is one of the most expensive and fashionable areas of Santiago...
and El Golf host most of the city's high-rise buildings and are also home to the Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
n headquarters of several United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
organizations. Though Santiago's expansion has caused newer vineyards to more rural locations, many of the country's oldest wineries, built in the 19th century, have preserved cellars in the valley.
Government and administration
The region is divided into 6 provincesProvinces of Chile
A province is the second largest administrative division in Chile, after a region. Each region is divided into provinces. There are 54 provinces in total....
, which are themselves divided into 52 communes. The region is governed by the intendant
Intendant
The title of intendant has been used in several countries through history. Traditionally, it refers to the holder of a public administrative office...
, who is assigned by the president
President of Chile
The President of the Republic of Chile is both the head of state and the head of government of the Republic of Chile. The President is responsible of the government and state administration...
. In 2008, Igor Garafulic
Igor Garafulic
Igor Garafulic Olivares is a Chilean economist, academic, and former intendant of the Santiago Metropolitan Region under the 2006 - 2010 administration of president Michelle Bachelet.-Education:...
replaced Álvaro Erazo as the region's intendant. The administration of each commune resides on the respective municipality.
The region's representatives in the Senate
Senate of Chile
The Senate of the Republic of Chile is the upper house of Chile's bicameral National Congress, as established in the current Constitution of Chile.-Composition:...
are:
- Santiago Poniente (West): Guido GirardiGuido GirardiGuido Girardi Lavin is a Chilean physician and politician. He is currently serving the period between 2006 and 2014 as senator for the district No. 7 for Santiago Poniente...
(PPDParty for DemocracyThe Party for Democracy is a political party in Chile; it is social democratic in its political orientation. It was founded in December 1987 by Ricardo Lagos, who aimed at forming a legal social democratic party . The party continued to function after the defeat of Pinochet...
) and Jovino Novoa (UDI). - Santiago Oriente (East): Soledad AlvearSoledad AlvearMaría Soledad Alvear Valenzuela , is a Chilean lawyer and Christian Democrat politician, who was a cabinet member of the Aylwin, Frei and Lagos administrations. She was president of the Christian Democrat Party from 2006-2008...
(PDC) and Pablo LongueiraPablo LongueiraJuan Pablo Longueira Montes in a Chilean right-wing politician, industrial civil engineer and Independent Democrat Union senator . He was previously a deputy . He launched his candidacy for president of Chile on March 30, 2007, but canceled it on May 3, 2007.-External links:* *...
(UDI).
| Political and administrative divisions of the Santiago Metropolitan Region | |
| Province Provinces of Chile A province is the second largest administrative division in Chile, after a region. Each region is divided into provinces. There are 54 provinces in total.... |
Capital | Communes |
|---|---|---|
| Chacabuco Chacabuco Province Chacabuco Province is one of six provinces of the Santiago Metropolitan Region in central Chile. It is located north of the Province of Santiago, which is entirely urbanized and part of the Santiago connurbation... |
Colina Colina, Chile Colina is a Chilean city and commune, capital of the Chacabuco Province, in the northern part of the Santiago Metropolitan Region.-Demographics:... |
|
| Cordillera Cordillera Province, Chile Cordillera Province is one of six provinces in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of central Chile. Its topography includes a small area of Chile's central valley, glaciers, rivers, volcanoes, and the Andes range, which forms the border with Argentina... |
Puente Alto Puente Alto Puente Alto is a city and commune of Chile. It is the capital of the Cordillera Province in the Santiago Metropolitan Region. Located at the south of the Greater Santiago conurbation, it houses 492,603 inhabitants , making it the largest city in Chile... |
|
| Maipo Maipo Province Maipo Province is one of six provinces in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of central Chile. Its capital is San Bernardo.-Administration:As a province, Maipo is a second-level administrative division of Chile, governed by a provincial governor who is appointed by the president.-Communes:The... |
San Bernardo San Bernardo, Chile San Bernardo is a Chilean city and commune. It is the capital of the Maipo Province in the Santiago Metropolitan Region. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardo.-Demographics:... |
|
| Melipilla Melipilla Province Melipilla Province is one of six provinces in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of central Chile. The provincial capital is the city of Melipilla.-Administration:... |
Melipilla Melipilla Melipilla is a Chilean commune and capital city of the province of the same name, located in the Santiago Metropolitan Region southwest of the nation's capital... |
|
| Santiago | Santiago Santiago (commune) The Commune of Santiago is the capital city of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, located at the center of the Santiago Province in Chile's Central Zone. Locally, Santiago is usually abbreviated Stgo. It is also called as "Santiago Centro" .-History:The city of Santiago was founded on February 12,... |
|
| Talagante Talagante Province Talagante Province is one of six provinces of the Santiago Metropolitan Region in central Chile. The capital is the city of Talagante, located approximately southwest of the national capital of Santiago... |
Talagante Talagante Talagante is a commune and the capital city of the province of the same name in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of central Chile. The word Talagante in Quechua comes from talacanta, meaning "Lazo de Hechicero", which was the proper name of the curaca, or ruler, who dominated this central valley on... |
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