Santiago de Chile
Santiago is Chile say the Santiaguinos, and in this capital city, you’ll certainly see why.
Santiago is in central Chile, backed by Andes on the east, coastal ranges and a fertile valley. See this interactive map from Expedia.
Founded on February 14, 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia at the base of Cerro Santa Lucia along the bank of the muddy Mapocho river, Santiago was nearly destroyed by Mapuche Indians six months later.
It was rebuilt over the years, surviving floods, earthquakes, wars and more natural calamities and is now one of the largest cities of South America. Santiago is Chile’s cultural, commercial, industrial and political center. Growth over the lst decades has produced high rises, a large population (6 million), traffic and all too often, smog that obscures the snow-capped Andes.
Santiago is a cosmopolitan city, with ample restaurants, bars, hotels, shopping from tiny boutique and craft fair to giant shopping mall. There are cultural attractions such as art galleries, museums, theaters, opera and ballet, lively nightlife, plus parks, tree-lined streets and distinct neighborhoods. You'll see brand new high rises and large supermarkets next to old, shabby buildings. You'll have to fend off vendors and peddlers on the busses, but ride in peace and comfort on the subway system.
The original Original City Plot Map of Santiago had 35 original blocks extending from the Plaza de Armas. Those blocks have now expanded into multiple blocks in all directions as the city grew, but the constant remains the Centro.
The city radiates from the central Plaza de Armas, with the center defined by the Mapocho to the North, the Via Norte Sur to the West and the Avenida General Higgins, referred to by Santiaguinos as the Alameda.
Santiago, like any big city, is made up of neighborhoods, barrios, 32 of them, each with its own identity and history. See this Planning Map for location and planning information. Some of the most distinctive barrios are closest to the centro:
Within Agustinas, Avenida Norte Sur, Rosas and Ricardo Cumming, this is an elegant residential neighborhood dating from the 20th century, created around Plaza Brazil. At one time, this was the farthest limits of the city, but as the city grew, wealthy residents moved east in search of quieter surroundings. This barrio now is considered the Bohemian section, with the university, cultural centers, restaurants and cafés. Two of Santiago's municipal parks are here: Parque Quinta Normal and Parque O'Higgins. Next to Parque O'Higgins is Club Hípico de Santiago, the city's premier race track. It was built in 1870 and modelled on the Longchamps track in Paris' Bois de Boulogne.
Bounded by Parque Forestal, Cerro Santa Lucía and Avenida Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins, this neighborhood was established at the end of the 19th century. From the beginning, intellectuals and artists made their homes here and today it is known as a fine residential area with cultural establishments and many restaurants.
Bounded within San Francisco, Alonso Ovalle, Serrano and the Alameda, this neighborhood was once acres of flower and vegetable gardens maintained by Franciscan friars. Most of the houses, built in the 1920’s display various architectural styles and the once narrow streets are now vehicle restricted areas with artist studios, hotels and restaurants.
Between O’Higgins, Brasil, Agustinas and Ricardo Cumming (Metro República station), this is a neighborhood of narrow, short streets converging on a small plaza, once the property of doña Teresa Cazotte, the widow of Concha y Toro of wine fame. Between 1926 and 1939 a number of neoclassical, gothic and renaissance style three story homes were built, and are now a favored residence of artists and filmmakers who use the barrio in their films.
This solidly middle class neighborhood located between the Alameda, Ricardo Cumming, Rosas and Matucana streets had its beginnings in the middle of the 19th century on what was known as the Llano de Portales. Plaza Yungay was created to honor the Chilean victory of the Battle of Yungay in the War of the Pacific. Located in the plaza is the monument to the Roto Chileno, created by Virgino Arias.
The neighborhood developed in the early 20th century on land once owned the Agustine nuns. Located between the Alameda, Bandera, Moneda and Paseo Ahumada, this barrio shows the classical influence in its buildings, notably the Stock Market, Bolsa de Comercio, the Compañía de Seguros la Mundial and the Club de la Unión.
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