Santiago
Capital of Chile, on the Mapocho River; population (2002) 4,656,700. It is the fifth largest city in South America and the country's cultural, commercial, and manufacturing centre. Industries include textiles, chemicals, and food processing. It has three universities, and several theatres, libraries, and museums.
Features
Spanish colonial architecture, including the former Governors' Palace, now housing a museum; cathedral (founded 1558); Palacio de la Moneda (built 1788–1805), now the presidential palace; churches; broad avenues; skyscrapers.
History
Founded by the Spaniard Pedro de Valdivia in 1541, it became the capital of Chile in 1818.
Santiago
Second-largest city in the Dominican Republic; population (2002) 507,400. It is a processing and trading centre for sugar, coffee, and cacao.
Santiago
| Metropolitan region in central Chile; area 15,549 sq km/6,003 sq mi; population (1996) 5,680,520. The capital is the national capital of Santiago; its other chief towns are Talagaute and Melipilla. The region is part of the Central Valley, which the fine climate and fertile soil have made the centre of the country's wine industry. Vines and other crops are watered by Santiago's main rivers, the Maipo and Mapocho. However, the region's produce is not confined to agriculture; over half of all Chile's manufactured goods come from here. There is also a growing tourist industry. |
