What is the capital of Chile?
Santiago is the capital of Chile. This metropolis of over 6 million inhabitants is located in the country's central valley, surrounded by the Andes Cordillera and the Coastal Cordillera.
Santiago, political and economic heart
Santiago concentrates government institutions, headquarters of major companies and nearly a third of the Chilean population. The city spreads through the central valley, at approximately 500 meters altitude, offering a spectacular setting with the snow-capped peaks of the Andes as a backdrop.
A capital with multiple faces
The metropolis is composed of several autonomous municipalities:
- Santiago Centro: the historic center with La Moneda (presidential palace)
- Providencia and Las Condes: modern and business districts
- Valparaíso: main port located 120 km away, seat of the national Congress
The inhabitants of Santiago are called Santiagans. The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers.
Key points
Santiago is the ideal starting point for exploring Chile, whether heading north towards the Atacama Desert, south to Patagonia, or to the vineyards of the central valley.