**Historical Development**:
– First human groups arrived in Santiago around the 10th millennium BC.
– Permanent settlers formed agricultural communities by 800 AD.
– Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541.
– Santiago was destroyed in 1541 by indigenous attacks.
– Santiago became the economic center of Chile by 1895.
– Santiago’s population was 507,296 in 1920, a 52.5% increase from 1907.
– Santiago’s population grew from 952,075 in 1940 to 1,907,378 in 1960.
– The Intercommunal Plan of Santiago proposed a population limit of 3,260,000 residents.
– Santiago Metro opened in 1975.
– Two perpendicular lines were established by 1978.
– Torre Entel was built in 1975.
– Santiago Metro became the most populous municipality in 1992.
– An earthquake in 1985 caused damage.
**Urban Expansion**:
– Urban areas expanded from 6,500 hectares in 1930 to 38,296 hectares in 1980.
– Urban area expanded to 62,000 hectares in 1979.
– Santiago reached 40,619 hectares by the early 1990s.
– La Florida experienced urban sprawl.
– Population growth was seen in Las Condes and Maipú.
– New communes were established in 1981 and 1991.
**City Infrastructure**:
– Santiagos cityscape features 19th-century neoclassical architecture.
– Several stand-alone hills define the cityscape.
– The Mapocho River flows through the city.
– The Andes Mountains are visible from most parts of Santiago.
– Providencia Avenue is a commercial hub.
– Barrio Alto attracted high-rise buildings.
– Sanhattan emerged as a business center.
– Air pollution was addressed with legislative measures.
– The Metro system expanded with new lines.
**Modern Developments**:
– Gran Torre Costanera is the tallest building in South America.
– The Civic District was revitalized in the 21st century.
– Titanium La Portada and Gran Torre Santiago skyscrapers were opened.
– There was a debate on mandatory earthquake standards in 2010.
– Socioeconomic inequality and geosocial fragmentation are issues.
**Geography**:
– Santiago Basin is surrounded by mountains.
– The elevation varies from 400m to over 700m.
– Santiago is flanked by the Andes and Coastal Range.
– The Mapocho River flows through the city.
– Urban growth is expanding east up the Andean slopes.
Santiago (/ˌsæntiˈɑːɡoʊ/, US also /ˌsɑːn-/; Spanish: [sanˈtjaɣo]), also known as Santiago de Chile (Spanish: [san̪ˈtja.ɣo ðe ˈtʃi.le] ), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of seven million, representing 40% of Chile's total population. Most of the city is situated between 500–650 m (1,640–2,133 ft) above sea level.
Santiago | |
|---|---|
 Flag .svg) Coat of arms
  Santiago Location in Chile  Santiago Santiago (South America) | |
| Nickname: "The City of the Island Hills" | |
| Coordinates: 33°26′15″S 70°39′00″W / 33.43750°S 70.65000°W | |
| Country |  Chile |
| Region | Santiago Metropolitan Region |
| Province | Santiago Province |
| Foundation | 12 February 1541 |
| Founded by | Pedro de Valdivia |
| Named for | Saint James |
| Area | |
| • Capital city | 641 km2 (247.6 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 570 m (1,870 ft) |
| Population (2017) | |
| • Capital city | 6,269,384 |
| • Density | 9,821/km2 (25,436/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 6,903,479 |
| Demonym | Santiaguinos (-as) |
| GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values) | |
| • Year | 2023 |
| • Total | $192.3 billion |
| • Per capita | $27,900 |
| Time zone | UTC−4 (CLT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−3 (CLST) |
| Postal code | 8320000 |
| Area code | +56 2 |
| HDI (2021) | 0.886 – very high |
| Website | www |
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Founded in 1541 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia, Santiago has served as the capital city of Chile since colonial times. The city has a downtown core of 19th-century neoclassical architecture and winding side-streets featuring a mix of art deco, neo-gothic, and other styles. Santiago's cityscape is defined by several stand-alone hills and the fast-flowing Mapocho River, which is lined by parks such as Parque Forestal and Balmaceda Park. The Andes Mountains can be seen from most parts of the city and contribute to a smog problem, particularly during winter, due to the lack of rain. The outskirts of the city are surrounded by vineyards, and Santiago is within an hour's drive of both the mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
Santiago is the political and financial center of Chile and is home to the regional headquarters of many multinational corporations. The Chilean government's executive and judiciary branches are based in Santiago, while the Congress mostly meets in nearby Valparaíso.