Santiago Metropolitan Region

Santiago Metropolitan Region Región Metropolitana de Santiago (RM)
—  Region of Chile  —
Flag Coat of arms
Map of Santiago Metropolitan Region
Country	Chile
Capital	Santiago
Provinces	Santiago, Chacabuco, Cordillera, Maipo, Melipilla, Talagante
Government
– Intendant	Fernando Echeverría (RN)
Area[1]
– Total	15,403.2 km2 (5,947.2 sq mi)
Area rank	15
Highest elevation	6,570 m (21,555 ft)
Population (2002)[1]
– Total	6,061,185
– Rank	1
– Density	393.5/km2 (1,019.2/sq mi)
ISO 3166 code	CL-RM

Santiago Metropolitan Region or simply Metropolitan Region (Spanish: Región Metropolitana de Santiago) is one of Chile's 15 first order administrative divisions. 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 15,403.2 km² (5,947 sq mi) 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,^[1] a few days after Santiago 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.

Regional Intendence.

Geography

Metropolitana is Chile's only landlocked region and lies in the Intermediate Depression valley between the Chilean Coast Range 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 6,570 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.^[1]

Climate

The region's warm, temperate climate prevails with long, dry periods. At higher elevations, temperatures drop and rainfall increases.^[1]

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 product, 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 American headquarters of several United Nations organizations.^[1] 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.^[1]

Government and administration

The region is divided into 6 provinces, 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:

• Santiago Poniente (West): Guido Girardi (PPD) and Jovino Novoa (UDI).
• Santiago Oriente (East): Soledad Alvear (PDC) and Pablo Longueira (UDI).

Political and administrative divisions of the Santiago Metropolitan Region

Province	Capital	Communes
Chacabuco	Colina	1 Colina 2 Lampa 3 Tiltil
Cordillera	Puente Alto	4 Pirque 5 Puente Alto 6 San José de Maipo
Maipo	San Bernardo	7 Buin 8 Calera de Tango 9 Paine 10 San Bernardo
Melipilla	Melipilla	11 Alhué 12 Curacaví 13 María Pinto 14 Melipilla 15 San Pedro
Santiago	Santiago	16 Cerrillos 17 Cerro Navia 18 Conchalí 19 El Bosque 20 Estación Central 21 Huechuraba 22 Independencia 23 La Cisterna 24 La Granja 25 La Florida 26 La Pintana 27 La Reina 28 Las Condes 29 Lo Barnechea 30 Lo Espejo 31 Lo Prado 32 Macul 33 Maipú 34 Ñuñoa 35 Pedro Aguirre Cerda 36 Peñalolén 37 Providencia 38 Pudahuel 39 Quilicura 40 Quinta Normal 41 Recoleta 42 Renca 43 San Miguel 44 San Joaquín 45 San Ramón 46 Santiago 47 Vitacura
Talagante	Talagante	48 El Monte 49 Isla de Maipo 50 Padre Hurtado 51 Peñaflor 52 Talagante

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Santiago Metropolitan Region". Government of Chile Foreign Investment Committee. http://www.cinver.cl/english/chile/arica.asp. Retrieved 13 March 2010. 

External links

• Official website (Spanish)
• Interactive map of Santiago (Spanish)

Coordinates: 33°26′16″S 70°39′01″W / 33.43778°S 70.65028°W / -33.43778; -70.65028