Santiago

Santiago is the capital and largest city of Chile, one of the biggest cities in the Americas. It is located in the Chilean Central Valley, between the Andes mountains to the east and the Chilean Coastal Range to the west. The city is home to more than a third of Chile’s people and plays a big role in the country’s economy, producing around 45% of its wealth.

People have lived in the area around Santiago for thousands of years. The city was founded in 1541 by the Spanish explorer Pedro de Valdivia. Over time, it became the political center of Chile, especially during the Chilean War of Independence in the early 1800s.

Today, Santiago is the heart of Chilean government, with important buildings like the presidential palace and the National Congress located there. It is also a major business and cultural hub, with tall skyscrapers, historic churches, beautiful parks, and many universities. The city has a special climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters, but sometimes faces air pollution because of its valley location.

Etymology

The name "Santiago" was chosen by the Spanish leader Pedro de Valdivia when he founded the city in 1541. He called it "Santiago del Nuevo Extremo" to honor his home region of Extremadura and to pay respect to James the Great, the important saint of Spain. The saint's name has many forms in Spanish, such as Diego, Jaime, or Santiago.

In Chile, many places share the name "Santiago", which can sometimes be confusing. The commune of Santiago, also called Santiago Centro, is the part of the city from colonial times. It is led by a mayor. This area is part of Santiago Province, which is managed by a leader chosen by the country's president. It is also part of the larger Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a leader chosen by voters.

When people talk about "Santiago" without adding more details, they usually mean Gran Santiago or 'Greater Santiago'. This is the large urban area made up of the commune of Santiago and over 40 other areas, covering much of Santiago Province and nearby regions. The size of this area has grown over time as the city has expanded. People who live in the city are called santiaguinos if they are male and santiaguinas if they are female.

History

The Santiago basin has been home to people since around the 10th millennium BC. These early groups were hunters and gatherers who traveled between the coast and inland areas. By around 800 AD, permanent settlements formed along the Mapocho River, where people grew crops like maize, potatoes, and beans.

Spanish explorer Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago in 1540. He named it Santiago del Nuevo Extremo in honor of the Apostle James. The city was built on a grid plan with a central plaza, surrounded by spaces for important buildings. Though the city faced attacks and natural disasters, it continued to grow.

During the colonial period, Santiago faced challenges like earthquakes and floods but still expanded. Important buildings were constructed, and the city became the center of Chile’s government. In the 19th century, Santiago grew rapidly, with new institutions and infrastructure like railways and telegraphs being added.

In the 20th century, Santiago experienced huge population growth, especially after the Great Depression, when many people moved to the city for work. The city expanded outward, and new neighborhoods were built. The metro system began construction in 1969, and the city continued to develop through the following decades.

In recent years, Santiago has faced challenges like air pollution and inequality, but it remains the capital and largest city of Chile. Major projects like new metro lines and public spaces have helped modernize the city.

Geography

The city of Santiago lies in the middle of the Santiago Basin, a large valley surrounded by mountains. The land rises from about 400 meters (1,300 feet) in the west to over 700 meters (2,300 feet) in the east. The city's airport is at 474 meters (1,550 feet), while the historic center is at 565 meters (1,850 feet).

Santiago is bordered by the Andes mountains to the east and the Chilean Coastal Range to the west. The Mapocho River runs through the city. The area has been home to people for thousands of years.

Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wetter winters. Temperatures can reach up to 35°C (95°F) in summer and drop near 0°C (32°F) in winter. Rain is most common in the winter months.

Santiago is located where two tectonic plates meet, which causes frequent earthquakes. The city has strong building rules to help protect against earthquake damage. Some areas are also at risk for landslides.

Environmental issues

Santiago faces a big problem with air pollution. Even though there was some improvement in the 1990s, the pollution has not gotten much better since 2000. Studies show that pollution levels have gone up, and tiny bits of dirt in the air often go above safe limits set by health groups, which can be bad for people’s health.

One big source of this pollution is a copper mine smelter that works all year. During winter, special weather conditions can trap pollution in the valley, making it worse. Good news is that Santiago has improved how it handles wastewater. A big treatment plant started in 2012, helping the city clean all its water better than any other capital in Latin America.

Demographics

The Santiago metropolitan area is home to many people. In 2002, about 5.4 million people lived there, which was over a third of all people in Chile. The city's population has grown a lot over the years. In 1907, there were around 380,000 people, but by 1992, that number had grown to nearly 4.7 million.

People have moved to Santiago from many places, especially from rural areas and other parts of Chile. This movement, along with families having more children, caused the population to grow quickly in the mid-20th century. Today, the city covers a much larger area than it did in the past, and many people still live there.

In recent years, about a third of the people in Santiago are under 20 years old, and around 12% are over 60. Many people living in Santiago were born in the city itself, while others have come from other parts of Chile and Latin America, especially in areas like Santiago Centro, Independencia, Estación Central, and Recoleta.

Economy

Santiago is the main industrial and financial hub of Chile, creating 45% of the country's GDP. Important international groups, like ECLAC, have offices here. The city's strong economy and low government debt attract people from places such as Europe and the United States.

Over the past few decades, Santiago has grown quickly into a modern city. It now has many theaters, restaurants, large shopping areas, and tall buildings, including the second tallest in Latin America, the Gran Torre Santiago. The city has major universities and good transportation, with an underground train system that is the largest in South America, the Metro de Santiago.

Santiago's economy varies greatly between its eastern and western parts. The western side is generally poorer, while the eastern side has many nice public and private places.

Commercial development

The Costanera Center is a huge project in Santiago's Financial District. It includes a very large shopping mall, a very tall tower, two office towers, and a hotel. After a pause during financial uncertainty, building continued and became a sign of Chile's success even during the Great Recession. Near the Costanera Center stands another tall building, Titanium La Portada. Many other office and housing buildings are also being built. In February 2011, Gran Torre Santiago, part of the Costanera Center project in the Sanhattan area, became the tallest building in Latin America.

Commerce

Santiago is Chile's main shopping place. Big stores such as Falabella, Paris, Johnson, Ripley, and La Polar are found throughout the city. The eastern neighborhoods, like Vitacura, La Dehesa, and Las Condes, have fancy streets and malls such as Parque Arauco, Alto Las Condes, Mall Plaza, and Costanera Center. Alonso de Cordova street has very expensive shops like Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Emporio Armani. The Costanera Center also has well-known stores like Armani Exchange and Zara. Local goods can be found in markets such as the Mercado Central de Santiago. Areas like Barrio Bellavista and Barrio Lastarria are known for their trendy nightclubs, cafés, and restaurants.

Transportation

Air

Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is Santiago's main airport for both local and international travel. It is the largest airport in Chile and serves many passengers. The airport is located in Pudahuel, about 15 kilometers from the city center.

Peldehue airport in Colina started operating in December 2021 and will handle up to 25 flights per hour. Santiago is also served by Eulogio Sánchez Airport, a smaller airport for private planes in La Reina.

Rail

Trains run by Chile's national railway company connect Santiago to several cities in the south-central part of the country, such as Rancagua, San Fernando, Talca, Linares, and Chillán. These trains leave from the Estación Central railway station. There are plans to build a new train line connecting Santiago with Valparaíso and expand the commuter rail network.

Inter-urban buses

Bus companies offer trips from Santiago to many places in Chile and some foreign countries. Santiago has several bus terminals, including Terminal San Borja, Terminal Alameda, Terminal Santiago, Terrapuerto Los Héroes, Terminal Pajaritos, Terminal La Cisterna, and Terminal La Paz.

Highways

A network of highways connects different parts of Santiago. These include the Vespucio Norte and Vespucio Sur highways, which circle the city, and Autopista Central, which runs through the middle of the city. Other highways connect Santiago to cities like Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Melipilla, San Antonio, and the border with Argentina.

Public transportation

Santiago has many cars, and in the past, its public transportation had problems. In 2007, a new system called Transantiago was introduced, combining buses, subways, and trains with a special card for payments. Later, it was renamed RED.

Metro

The Santiago Metro has seven lines and many stations. It carries millions of passengers every day.

Commuter rail

EFE runs train services called Metrotren, with routes to Nos and Rancagua.

Bus

The Red Metropolitana de Movilidad integrates buses, trains, and the metro. It uses a special card for payments and offers discounts for seniors and students.

Vehicles for hire

Taxicabs are common in Santiago, recognizable by their black bodies and yellow roofs. There are also shared taxis called colectivos and ride-sharing apps like Cabify, Uber, and DiDi, though they operate without full legal approval.

Public transportation statistics

People in Santiago spend about 53 minutes each day using public transport. Most rides are shorter than 12 kilometers.

Cycling

Cycling has become more popular in Santiago, with many new bike lanes built over the years. By 2025, Santiago had one of the largest cycling networks in Latin America.

Internal transportation

Santiago has many roads, including Alameda Avenue, which runs through the city. Urban highways like Autopista Central and Vespucio Norte were built to help traffic flow.

Administrative divisions

Greater Santiago does not have one main government to run the whole city. Instead, different leaders help manage it. The top leader is the governor of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, who is chosen by votes.

The city spreads out into four different areas and includes 35 smaller parts called communes, plus 11 more outer communes. Most of the city's space is in Santiago Province, with some parts in Cordillera, Maipo, and Talagante provinces.

Although officials do not all agree, the communes are often split into seven groups: north, center, northeast, southeast, south, southeast and southwest.

Note: Communes in the peripheries are not shown to their full extent.

Culture

Only a few historical buildings from the Spanish colonial period remain in Santiago because the city, like the rest of the country, is often hit by earthquakes. Some of these buildings include the Casa Colorada (built in 1769), the San Francisco Church (built in 1586), and Posada del Corregidor (built in 1750).

The cathedral on the central square, Plaza de Armas, is an important landmark, similar in importance to the Presidential Palace, known as Palacio de La Moneda. The original cathedral was built between 1784 and 1805 under the supervision of architect Joaquín Toesca. Other notable buildings around Plaza de Armas include the Central Post Office Building (completed in 1882) and the Palacio de la Real Audiencia de Santiago (built between 1804 and 1807), which now houses the Chilean National History Museum. Nearby, you’ll find the Commercial Edwards building (built in 1893), the Casa Colorada (1769), which houses the Museum of Santiago, and the Municipal Theater of Santiago (built in 1857). The theater was damaged by an earthquake in 1906. Close to the theater are the Subercaseaux Mansion and the National Library, one of the largest libraries in South America.

The Former National Congress Building, the Justice Palace, and the Royal Customs Palace are located near each other. The Justice Palace, also known as the Palacio de Tribunales, was designed by architect Emilio Doyére and built between 1907 and 1926. It houses the Supreme Court of Chile, the highest judicial authority in the country.

Bandera street leads to the Santiago Stock Exchange (completed in 1917), the Club de la Unión (opened in 1925), the University of Chile (founded in 1872), and the oldest church in the city, the San Francisco Church (built between 1586 and 1628). North of Plaza de Armas are the Paseo Puente, the Santo Domingo Church (1771), and the Central Market, an ornate iron building. Downtown Santiago also features the Torre Entel, a tall television tower completed in 1974.

The Costanera Center, finished in 2009, includes housing, shopping, and entertainment areas. It features the Gran Torre Santiago, South America’s tallest building, along with several other commercial buildings connected by highways and subways.

Heritage and monuments

Within the metropolitan area of Santiago, there are 174 heritage sites protected by the National Monuments Council. These include archaeological, architectural, and historical monuments, as well as neighborhoods and typical areas. Of these, 93 are located in the historic center of the city. Although no monument in Santiago has been named a World Heritage Site by Unesco, three have been proposed: the Incan sanctuary of El Plomo, the church and convent of San Francisco, and the palace of La Moneda.

Cultural activities and entertainment

Santiago is home to many theater companies and hosts several national and international performances. A major event is the International Theater Festival called Santiago a Mil, held every January since 1994, attracting over a million visitors. The Planetarium at the University of Santiago de Chile is also popular.

The city has several cultural centers, including the Mapocho Cultural Center, 100 Matucana Cultural Center, Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center, Centro Cultural Palacio de La Moneda, Movistar Arena, and the Caupolican Theater. The Municipal Theater of Santiago, located in the city center, hosts opera and ballet performances and can hold 1,500 spectators.

There are many cinemas in Santiago, along with several places for children and families to enjoy, such as Fantasilandia amusement park, the National Zoo, and the Buin Zoo. The city also has many nightclubs, restaurants, and bars, especially in areas like Bellavista, Brasil, Manuel Montt, Plaza Ñuñoa, and Suecia.

Museums and libraries

Santiago has many museums, including three national museums managed by the Directorate of Libraries, Archives, and Museums (DIBAM): the National History Museum, the National Museum of Fine Arts, and the National Museum of Natural History.

Most museums are located in the historic city center, such as the National History Museum in the Palacio de la Real Audiencia, the Museum of Santiago in the Casa Colorada, and the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art in part of the old Palacio de la Aduana. The Museum of Fine Arts is located in the city center, and next to it is the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Quinta Normal Park houses several museums, including the Natural History Museum, Artequin Museum, the Museum of Science and Technology, and the Santiago Railway Museum. The Museum of Memory and Human Rights, opened in 2010, remembers the victims of human rights violations during the country’s military dictatorship.

Other museums in the city include the Aeronautical Museum in Cerrillos and the Museo Interactivo Mirador in La Granja, which opened in 2000 and is very popular with children and youth.

The most important public library is the National Library, located downtown. It was created in 1813 and moved to its current location a century later. The Library of Santiago opened in 2005 to bring library services closer to people.

Music

Santiago has two symphony orchestras: the Santiago Philharmonic Orchestra, which performs at the Municipal Theater, and the Chile Symphony Orchestra, part of the University of Chile, which performs at its own theater.

The city also has many jazz clubs, such as El Perseguidor, Thelonious, and Le Fournil Jazz Club in Bellavista, as well as the Club de Jazz de Santiago in Ñuñoa. Annual music festivals in Santiago include Lollapalooza and the Maquinaria festival.

Newspapers

Many of Chile’s most popular newspapers are published in Santiago, including El Mercurio and publications from Copesa.

Media

Santiago is home to major Chilean television networks such as TVN, Canal 13, Chilevisión, La Red, and Mega. Radio stations in the city include ADN Radio Chile, Radio Agricultura, Radio Concierto, Radio Cooperativa, Radio Pudahuel, and Radio Rock & Pop.

Sports

Santiago is home to several successful soccer clubs. Colo-Colo, founded in 1925, has won 30 national titles and was the first Chilean team to win the Copa Libertadores in 1991. They play at the Estadio Monumental in Macul.

Universidad de Chile, founded in 1927, has won 18 national titles and was the first Chilean team to win the Copa Sudamericana in 2011. They play at the Estadio Nacional de Chile in Ñuñoa.

Club Deportivo Universidad Católica, founded in 1937, has won 16 national titles and plays at Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo.

Other soccer clubs in Santiago include Unión Española, Audax Italiano, Palestino, Santiago Morning, Magallanes, and Barnechea. Tennis and basketball are also popular sports. The Club Hípico de Santiago and Hipódromo Chile are the city’s two horse racing tracks.

Santiago hosted the final stages of the 1959 Basketball World Cup and the 2023 Pan American Games. The 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games will also be held in Santiago.

Recreation

Santiago has many bike paths, especially in the Providencia area. Popular parks include the Santiago Metropolitan Park, which covers San Cristóbal Hill and includes the Chilean National Zoo and the Santiago Cable Car, Parque Bicentenario along the Mapocho River, O’Higgins Park, Quinta Normal Park, Forestal Park, Santa Lucia Hill, and Parque Araucano.

There are ski resorts east of the city, such as Valle Nevado, La Parva, and El Colorado, and wineries to the west.

Cultural spots in the city include the Museo de Bellas Artes, the Museo Violeta Parra, Barrio Bellavista, Central Station, Víctor Jara Stadium, the Ex National Congress, Plaza de Armas, Palacio de La Moneda, and the Municipal Theater.

Main sports venues include Estadio Nacional, Estadio Monumental David Arellano, Estadio Santa Laura, and Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo.

Religion

Most people in Santiago are Catholic, similar to the rest of Chile. According to a national survey from 2002, about 69% of people aged 15 and older in the Santiago Metropolitan Region identified as Catholic. Around 13% described themselves as Evangelical Protestants. Smaller groups included Jehovah’s Witnesses, Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Jewish people, Eastern Orthodox Christians, and Muslims. About 10% of the population said they were atheist or agnostic, and 5% followed other religions. Construction began on the Santiago Bahá’í Temple in 2010, and it was completed and dedicated in 2016.

Education

Santiago is home to many universities, colleges, and libraries. One of the largest and oldest universities in the Americas is the Universidad de Chile. It began in 1622 and changed its name a few times over the years.

Another important university is the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, which started in 1888. It is known for its modern campus and offers some courses in English. Many leaders and teachers in Chile have studied or worked there.

Higher education

Traditional

• Universidad de Chile (U or UCH)
• Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC)
• Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH)
• Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación (UMCE)
• Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana (UTEM)
• Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (UTFSM)

Non-traditional

• Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI)
• Universidad del Desarrollo (UDD)
• Universidad Diego Portales (UDP)
• Universidad Alberto Hurtado (UAH)
• Universidad Central de Chile (Ucen)
• Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello (Unab)
• Universidad Academia de Humanismo Cristiano (UAHC)
• Universidad Mayor (UM)
• Universidad Finis Terrae
• Universidad de Los Andes
• Universidad Gabriela Mistral (UGM)
• Universidad del Pacífico
• Universidad de las Américas
• Universidad de Artes, Ciencias y Comunicación (UNIACC)
• Universidad San Sebastián (USS)
• Universidad Bolivariana

Other

• Ruprecht Karls University of Heidelberg's Postgraduierten- und Weiterbildungszentrum der Universität Heidelberg in Santiago Archived
• David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) Regional Office in Santiago Faculty in Santiago Archived
• Diplomatic Academy of Chile

International relations

Santiago has many important places for international relations. It is home to groups that help manage connections between the Santiago Metropolitan Region and other countries. There are also offices for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile and other groups that work on international issues.

The city is an important center for international organizations. It hosts groups like the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the United Nations Development Programme, and the World Bank, among others.

Santiago also has many universities with offices for international affairs. These help students and researchers connect with people from around the world.

Santiago is twinned with many cities, including Beijing in China, Buenos Aires in Argentina, and London in the United Kingdom. It also has special ties with Paris in France and Tunis in Tunisia.

Since 12 October 1982, Santiago has been part of the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities.