55 Facts About Santiago, Chile You Will Absolutely Love
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When in Chile, one city which cannot be overlooked is Santiago de Chile!
Did you know that Santiago is the capital of Chile? Simply known as Santiago, this city is located in the Santiago basin and also comes within the Pacific Ring of Fire!
It's a beautiful city located in the central part of the country. Santiago is home to over six million people, and it's a major center for business and culture.
Santiago also has one of the largest stock exchanges in Latin America. This stock exchange center was established towards the end of the 19th century, which also means that it has a lot of historical importance.
Santiago is not only the capital city of Chile but also the largest city by population and holds the financial center. There are many things to see and do in Santiago, so be sure to add it to your list of places to visit!
Facts About Santiago Chile
Santiago de Chile or simply Santiago is Chile's largest city by population and its capital too. The city covers a total surface area of 247.4 sq mi (641 sq km). Santiago has been the capital of Chile for a long time and holds all the centers for important economic and governmental activities.
At the time of its founding, Santiago was called Santiago del Nuevo Extremo.
This meant Santiago of the New Frontier.
This city is named after a biblical figure called St James.
The original inhabitants of the area were the Pichunche Indians.
These original inhabitants eventually came under the rule of the Spanish settlers and of the Spanish royalty by extension.
Santiago is somewhat wedged between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains.
This makes the location quite stunning to see.
Santiago was found by a Spanish conquistador named Pedro de Valdivia.
He later became the governor of Chile.
Santiago was found in 1541, in February.
This Spanish conqueror was appointed by Francisco Piazzo.
The main motivation behind the founding of Santiago de Chile was to establish a new city for King Carlos I.
The Santiago basin is shaped like a bowl and is between the Andes Mountains.
This valley is also surrounded by very fertile lands.
Many large corporations have their regional headquarters in the city of Santiago.
Costanera Center Torre 2 is a very important complex in Santiago.
This complex also contains the biggest mall in South America.
Most of Santiago lies between 1,640-2,133 ft (500-650 m) above mean sea level.
Famous Buildings In Santiago Chile
There are many famous buildings in Santiago. These buildings show us more about the vivid history of the city and all the influences that it has had ever since the colonial period.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development manages the Santiago Metropolitan Park.
It is one of the largest urban parks in not only South America but the whole world.
It includes the Chilean National Zoo.
The central valley area is the most densely populated one in all of Chile!
The Cousino Palace is a very important architectural marvel in Santiago.
It is a constant reminder of 19th-century architecture.
At the same time, if you want to experience more modern buildings with strong 20th century influences, the National Library is sure to amuse you.
The Fine Arts Palace is also built in quintessential 20th-century style.
Many of the residences in places such as Vitacura and San Luis Hill have modern influences too.
Santiago also has a very advanced transportation system if you are worried about getting around.
The city's subway system is one of the finest in the world.
It also has an international airport for anyone who wishes to fly in from around the world.
There is also a domestic airport, which distributes the air traffic very skillfully.
Southern Santiago was considered a residential area before a large chunk of the population settled in the eastern parts of the city.
Some of the most noteworthy places to visit when in Santiago would include the city center, the Plaza de Armas, and the Neptune Terrace.
Plaza de Armas is the central part of the city grid that was laid by Pedro de Gamboa.
It still holds an old-worldly charm and attracts many tourists.
Plaza de Armas was built in the 16th century and has managed to stay in good shape ever since!
Santiago's Cultural Facts
The culture in Santiago is a mixed bag, due to urban development. As Santiago became an important financial center because of its central location, people from all parts of the world flowed in and brought their cultures along!
The culture of Santiago can be best described as being cosmopolitan.
The culture also derives strong influences from places such as North America and Europe.
The major religion in the city is Catholicism.
Some of the important centers of Santiago would include the Metropolitan cathedral, Santuario de la Inmaculada, and La Moneda.
Santiago is famous for its Chilean dishes including pastel de choclo, humitas, and sopapillas.
Santiago Chile's History
Santiago's location was best suited for many economic activities. The city's cultural life, as we see it today, has a very long and complicated history which essentially started with its founding by the Spanish conqueror in the 16th century.
Santiago is located in the Republic of Chile.
It is the republic's capital city and is a metropolitan area.
At the time of its founding, the Picunche Indians lived in Santiago.
They came under the rule of the Spanish people, and eventually, their settlement was brought down to only around 200 houses.
Santiago began becoming the metropolitan hub that it now is in the 18th century.
The city grid was planned and designed by Pedro de Gamboa, who was appointed by the founder of the city.
He created a very complex grid pattern that consisted of over 100 blocks.
Only about 40 of those blocks were already occupied.
The Plaza Mayor was placed at the center of the grid in order to create a system of easy governance.
The Argentine War of Independence went on from 1810 to 1818.
This war caused very small amounts of damage to the city itself.
This is because the most damaging battle, the Battle of Maipu, took place outside the city limits.
In 1818, after independence, Santiago became the capital city.
It was at this point that it slowly became the economic center and a lot of cash flowed in from all parts of the country.
The downtown district of Santiago is now dotted with architectural marvels from the 19th century.
This downtown district is one of the main attractions for all tourists.
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Sources
http://www.chileculture.org/santiago/
https://kidskonnect.com/places/santiago/
https://www.worldscapitalcities.com/capital-facts-for-santiago-chile/
https://kids.kiddle.co/Santiago_Chile
http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-santiago/
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature
Shirin BiswasBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language and Literature
With a degree in English from Amity University, Noida, Shirin has won awards for oratory, acting, and creative writing. She has a wealth of experience as an English teacher, editor, and writer, having previously worked at Quizzy and Big Books Publishing. Her expertise lies in editing study guides for children and creating engaging content.
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With a background in digital marketing, Niyati brings her expertise to ensure accuracy and authenticity in every piece of content. She has previously written articles for MuseumFacts, a history web magazine, while also handling its digital marketing. In addition to her marketing skills, Niyati is fluent in six languages and has a Commerce degree from Savitribai Phule Pune University. She has also been recognized for her public speaking abilities, holding the position of Vice President of Education at the Toastmasters Club of Pune, where she won several awards and represented the club in writing and speech contests at the area level.
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