Santiago



Santiago
The heart of Chile lies in the Central Valley. It is the country’s economic, cultural, and transportation center. Santiago is a picturesque city containing over 1/3 of Chile’s population. (Stephenson, Skye) Pedro de Valdiva, a Spanish solider founded Santiago in 1541 inhabited with Mapuche Indians. The Spaniards soon gained control of Chile with the help of Santiago as their first permanent settlement. Chile eventually became an independent country, and Santiago greatly contributed to its success soon after. (Stephenson, Skye) Santiago’s economy skyrocketed during the early 1900’s during World War II because of their naturally found nitrates and copper used to make weapons. (Stephenson, Skye) Santiago contains firms, stock exchanges, banks, factories, and many other government industries. (Stephenson, Skye) It’s an important economic factor for the busy and bustling Chile. Most of the people residing in Santiago are of Spanish ancestry although some descend from other European countries. Much of the populace contains mestizos, which is a mix between American Indians and the Spanish. (Stephenson, Skye) Santiago covers 814 square miles. The Andes Mountain Range looks over all of Santiago from its east side while the Pacific coastal range is to the west. The Mapocho River runs through the city providing it with fresh water. Santiago is divided into comunas, which are political districts. (Stephenson, Skye) There are many entertainment aspects of this beautiful city. The center of Santiago is the Plaza de Armas surrounded by stunning cathedrals, the City Hall, and many charming shops and restaurants. Many dance, theater, and music companies are located in Santiago. There are also various art museums displaying some of Chile’s finest pieces. (Stephenson, Skye) Santiago is a captivating city that is exceptionally important to Chile's tourist attraction, economy, and residents. As far back as the 1500's Santiago has been the most significant and beautiful city in Chile, and it will always remain an important aspect to Chilean life.