Santiago Province, Chile

. It encompasses the majority of the population of that region, including 31 of the 36 communities of Greater Santiago.

Terrain and Climate

Almost all of the province is made up of an extremely fertile, level prairie that the locals call "la Depresión intermedia" (Intermediate Depression). The terrain is known for its low elevation in relation to sea level and for being surrounded by hills, as well as emergent so-called "island hills", such as Santa Lucía (an ancient extinct volcano), Blanco, and Renca, present today in the city of Santiago.

The climate of the Santiago Province, and generally of the Metropolitan Region is temperate Mediterranean cold, of the kind called "continental". Precipitation is concentrated in the winter months, generally as snow over 1,000 m above sea level and occasionally, in colder years, over the city of Santiago. Winter tends to be cold with frequent frosts during which temperature drops below 0 °C. The summer months are usually dry and hot. The Cordillera de la Costa acts as a climate screen and reduces marine influence, which makes the climate more continental. This situation becomes apparent when comparing precipitation from a coastal location such as Valparaíso (460 mm) with that of Santiago de Chile (360 mm).

The annual median precipitation reaches 367 mm on average. The annual median temperature comes out to 13.5 °C, with a median high of 21 °C and a median low of 6 °C.

Demographics

History

Before the Iberian conquest, the central zone of Chile was sparsely inhabited by an indigenous population of Picunches, the northern branch of the Mapuches. The European occupation had a considerable impact on the native population and culture, which suffered a rapid and profound disintegration. Chief among the reasons was the Spanish Crown's granting of gifts of land to its colonists. In addition, the institution of a system of "encomiendas", only abolished by the end of the 18th century, had irreversible consequences. It represented first the appropriation of indigenous ground, and second the practice of Spaniards receiving groups of natives who had to pay tribute. Over time, in the Province, as in the whole country, cultural identity became predominantly European in character, with minor hints of native character, thus setting in motion a process of homogenization of the population.

Population

According to the census of 2002, Santiago Province has 4,728,443 inhabitants, of whom 2,244,497 are male and 2,483,946 female, meaning that the number of males is 92,39% that of females. The population density is the highest in Chile, with 2,304.83 inhabitants/km²; the most densely populated "comuna" is that of Lo Prado and the most populous is La Florida, a suburb of the capital. 98.92% of the population is urban. The annual population growth rate is calculated for 2005 as 0.9%. Life expectancy is exactly the Chilean national average, which is the highest national life expectancy in Latin America: 80 years on average, 78 for men and 82 for women. The area has an average household income of $29,062 in PPP US dollars (2000).

The surface area of the province is 2,030 km². The population tends be concentrated evenly between the heart of the city and the suburbs, due to government promotion of populating urban centers in high-rise buildings by offering state subsidies, thereby avoiding the progressive extension of Greater Santiago."

Economy

Santiago Province's economic activity produces about 30% of the country’s total income; a high number due to both having the capital of the country within its area and to its central location. The "primary" or agricultural sector represents less than 3.5% of the economic activity according to the census, a figure that has remained virtually unchanged during the first few years of the 21st century. The "secondary" or industrial sector contributes 21% of the region's GDP. Finally, the tertiary or service sector fluctuates around 76% of regional GDP.

This province stands out for its industrial predominance, but most of all, for its service sector. Industry is widely diverse and along with Valparaíso and Biobío regions, it is one of the country's three industrial pillars. Machinery and electronic equipment, leather, food processing, chemical and metallurgical industry are Santiago Province's most important industries. The predominance of the service sector can be explained by the activity from the following industries, among others: electricity, gas, water, construction, commerce, transportation and communication, financial services, housing, education, health, and public administration.

Transportation and Communication

Because Santiago Province includes the entire city of Santiago, the network of roads is one of the most important elements in the Province's transportation system. The principal north-south routes are:

Route 5 (Autopista Central)

The basepoint for numbering the kilometers of the "Central Highway", the Chilean portion of the Panamerican Highway is in Santiago Province. This Kilometer Zero falls at the intersection with the Alameda del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins. The highway, nicknamed "Norte-Sur" ("North-South"), consists of quality pavement and two- and three-lane roads.

Route 68

This route links Santiago with Valparaíso and Viña del Mar and summer resorts and beaches in the fifth region of Valparaíso. In addition, it connects the towns of Casablanca and Curacaví. The toll highway, consisting of two- and three-lane sections of well-maintained pavement, extends for 115 kilometers.

Route 78 (Autopista del Sol)

The "Highway of the Sun" is a toll road that unites the city of Santiago with San Antonio, and from there connects to several other coastal towns including Llolleo, Cartagena, El Quisco and Algarrobo, as well as connecting to the more central Melipilla, Talagante, El Monte, Padre Hurtado and Peñaflor. Route 78 extends 110 kilometers.

Route G-21

This 40 kilometer route joins the city of Santiago with the winter resort town Farellones and Valle Nevado.

Route G-25

This route connects Santiago and the province of Puente Alto with Cajón del Maipo. It extends roughly 70km to its termination in the town of El Volcán.

Urban Roads and Railways

Other important highways in Santiago province are part of Santiago's network of "Autopistas Urbanas" (urban highways). Santiago's first toll roads began to operate near the end of 2004. The tolls for using these roads are paid automatically through an electronic payment system called "Televía" or TAG. Vehicles must carry TAG devices to use the highways.

The main highways in Santiago province are:
* Autopista Central
* Autopista Costanera Norte
* Autopista Vespucio Norte Express
* Autopista Vespucio Sur

The province's railroads are a vital form of daily mass transit. They are operated by the state agency EFE. It provides a continuous railroad between the cities of Valparaíso in Valparaíso and Puerto Montt in Los Lagos. The trains of Metrotrén connect the outlying suburbs with the capital. Another important mode of transportation in the city is the Santiago Metro, a subway system. The five train lines carry an average of one million people daily, making the metro one of the leading means of transportation in the entire country. In one year, the metro services over 360 million people. Both the metro and the railroad system are considered the most modern in Latin America. The Transantiago bus system is also important.

References