--- title: Santiago — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 2 description: Wikipedia's «Santiago», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Santiago (/ˌsæntiˈɑːɡoʊ/ SAN-tee-AH-goh, /usalsoˌsɑːn-/ SAHN--; sanˈtjaɣo), also known as Santiago de Chile (sanˈtjaɣo ðe ˈtʃile), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the l --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Santiago # Santiago · page 2 From Wikipedia, [«Santiago»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/page/6/) With the end of the war, [Bernardo O'Higgins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernardo_O%27Higgins) was accepted as [Supreme Director](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Director_of_Chile) and, like his father, undertook several important projects for the city.[71](../../71/ "tree and pragmatics") During the [Patria Nueva](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Fatherland) era, previously closed institutions were reopened.[72](../../72/ "tree and pragmatics") The [General Cemetery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_General_Cemetery) was inaugurated, work on the San Carlos Canal was completed, and the drying riverbed in the south arm of the Mapocho River, known as La Cañada, which had been used as a landfill for some time, was transformed into an avenue now known as the [Alameda de las Delicias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenida_Libertador_General_Bernardo_O%27Higgins).[73](../../73/ "tree and pragmatics") Two earthquakes struck the city in the 19th century: one on November 19, 1822, and another on February 20, 1835.[74](../../74/ "tree and pragmatics") Despite these disasters, the city continued to grow rapidly.[75](../../75/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1820, the population was recorded as 46,000, but by 1854, it had risen to 69,018.[76](../../76/ "tree and pragmatics") By 1865, the census reported 115,337 residents.[77](../../77/ "tree and pragmatics") This significant increase was due to suburban expansion to the south and west of the capital, as well as the growth of the bustling district of La Chimba, which resulted from the division of old properties in the area.[78](../../78/ "tree and pragmatics") This new peripheral development marked the end of the previous checkerboard structure that had dominated the city center.[79](../../79/ "tree and pragmatics") ### 19th century During the Republican era, several institutions were founded, including the [University of Chile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Chile), the Normal School of Preceptors, the School of Arts and Crafts, and the [Quinta Normal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinta_Normal_Park).[80](../../80/ "tree and pragmatics") The latter comprised the Museum of Fine Arts (now the Museum of Science and Technology) and the [National Museum of Natural History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_National_Museum_of_Natural_History).[81](../../81/ "tree and pragmatics") These institutions were established primarily for educational purposes, but also served as examples of public planning during that period.[82](../../82/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1851, the first telegraph system connecting the capital to the Port of Valparaíso was inaugurated.[\[13\]](../../page/6/#ref-13 "note 13")[83](../../83/ "tree and pragmatics") During the "Liberal Republic" and the administration of Mayor [Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamín_Vicuña_Mackenna), a new phase in the urban development of the capital was initiated.[84](../../84/ "tree and pragmatics") One of the main projects during this period was the remodeling of [Cerro Santa Lucía](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerro_Santa_Lucía), which had fallen into disrepair despite its central location.[\[13\]](../../page/6/#ref-13 "note 13")[85](../../85/ "tree and pragmatics") In his effort to transform Santiago, Vicuña Mackenna initiated the construction of the Camino de Cintura, a road surrounding the entire city.[86](../../86/ "tree and pragmatics") The redevelopment of [Alameda Avenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alameda_Avenue) also took place during this time, turning it into the city's main road.[87](../../87/ "tree and pragmatics") Also during this era, [O'Higgins Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parque_O%27Higgins) was established with the help of European landscapers in 1873.[88](../../88/ "tree and pragmatics") The public park, known for its large gardens, lakes, and carriage trails, became a landmark in Santiago.[89](../../89/ "tree and pragmatics") Other notable structures were also opened during this period, including the [Teatro Municipal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipal_Theater_of_Santiago) opera house and the [Club Hípico de Santiago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_Hípico_de_Santiago).[90](../../90/ "tree and pragmatics") In addition, the 1875 [International Exposition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_International_Exhibition) was held in the Quinta Normal grounds.[\[14\]](../../page/6/#ref-14 "note 14")[91](../../91/ "tree and pragmatics") Santiago emerged as the central hub of the national railway system.[92](../../92/ "tree and pragmatics") On 14 September 1857, the first railway arrived in the city and terminated at the [Santiago Estación Central railway station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_Estación_Central_railway_station), which was under construction at the time and officially opened in 1884.[93](../../93/ "tree and pragmatics") During this period, rail lines connected Santiago to Valparaíso and regions in northern and southern Chile.[94](../../94/ "tree and pragmatics") The streets of Santiago were also paved, and by 1875, there were 1,107 railway cars in the city, while 45,000 people used trams daily.[95](../../95/ "tree and pragmatics") ### The centennial Santiago As the new century began, Santiago underwent various changes due to the rapid growth of industry.[96](../../96/ "tree and pragmatics") Valparaíso, which had previously been the economic center of the country, gradually lost its prominence to the capital.[97](../../97/ "tree and pragmatics") By 1895, 75% of the national manufacturing industry was located in Santiago, while only 28% was in Valparaíso.[98](../../98/ "tree and pragmatics") By 1910, major banks and shops had established themselves in the central streets of Santiago, further diminishing the role of Valparaíso.[99](../../99/ "tree and pragmatics") The enactment of the Autonomous Municipalities Act empowered municipalities to establish various administrative divisions within the Santiago department, with the goal of enhancing local governance.[100](../../100/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1891, the municipalities of [Maipú](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maipú,_Chile), [Ñuñoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ñuñoa), [Renca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renca), [Lampa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampa,_Chile), and [Colina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colina,_Chile) were created, followed by [Providencia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providencia,_Chile) and [Barrancas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pudahuel) in 1897, and [Las Condes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Condes) in 1901.[101](../../101/ "tree and pragmatics") The La Victoria departmento was also divided, leading to the creation of Lo Cañas in 1891, which was then further split into [La Granja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Granja,_Chile) and [Puente Alto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puente_Alto) in 1892, followed by [La Florida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Florida,_Chile) in 1899, and [La Cisterna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Cisterna) in 1925.[102](../../102/ "tree and pragmatics") The [San Cristobal Hill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Cristóbal_Hill) underwent a prolonged process of development during this period.[103](../../103/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1903, an [astronomical observatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomical_observatory) was established on the hill, and the following year, construction began on a 14 m statue of the [Virgin Mary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Mary).[104](../../104/ "tree and pragmatics") Today, the statue is visible from various points in the city.[105](../../105/ "tree and pragmatics") However, the shrine was not completed until several decades later.[106](../../106/ "tree and pragmatics") The 1910 Chile Centennial celebrations marked the beginning of several urban development projects.[107](../../107/ "tree and pragmatics") The railway network was expanded, connecting the city and its growing suburbs with a new ring and route to [Cajón del Maipo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cajón_del_Maipo).[108](../../108/ "tree and pragmatics") A new railway station was also built in the north of the city: the [Mapocho Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estación_Mapocho).[109](../../109/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Parque Forestal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parque_Forestal) was established on the southern side of the Mapocho river, and new buildings such as the [Museum of Fine Arts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_National_Museum_of_Fine_Arts), the [Barros Arana public boarding school](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internado_Nacional_Barros_Arana), and the [National Library](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblioteca_Nacional_de_Chile) were opened.[110](../../110/ "tree and pragmatics") In addition, a sewer system was installed, serving approximately 85% of the city's population.[111](../../111/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Population explosion The 1920 census estimated the population of Santiago to be 507,296 inhabitants, equivalent to 13.6% of the total population of Chile.[112](../../112/ "tree and pragmatics") This represented a growth of 52.5% from the 1907 census, an annual increase of 3.3%, which was almost three times the national average.[113](../../113/ "tree and pragmatics") This growth was mainly due to an influx of farmers from the southern regions who came to work in the factories and railroads that were being built.[114](../../114/ "tree and pragmatics") However, this growth was concentrated in the suburbs and not downtown.[115](../../115/ "tree and pragmatics") During this time, the downtown district consolidated as a commercial, financial, and administrative center, with the establishment of various shops and businesses around [Ahumada Street](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paseo_Ahumada) and a Civic District in the vicinity of the Palace of La Moneda.[116](../../116/ "tree and pragmatics") The latter project involved the construction of modernist buildings for the offices of the [ministries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministries_of_Chile) and other public services, as well as the start of the construction of medium-rise buildings.[117](../../117/ "tree and pragmatics") Meanwhile, the traditional residents of the center began to migrate to more rural areas like Providencia and Ñuñoa, which attracted the oligarchy and [European immigrant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_Chile) professionals, and [San Miguel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Miguel,_Chile) for middle-class families.[118](../../118/ "tree and pragmatics") Additionally, in the periphery, villas were built by various organizations of the time.[119](../../119/ "tree and pragmatics") Modernity also spread in the city, with the introduction of the first theaters, the expansion of the telephone network, and the opening of Los Cerrillos Airport in 1928, among other advancements.[120](../../120/ "tree and pragmatics") The perception that the early 20th century was a time of economic prosperity due to technological advancements was in stark contrast to the living conditions of lower social classes.[121](../../121/ "tree and pragmatics") The previous decades of growth resulted in an unprecedented population boom starting in 1929, but was met with tragedy as the [Great Depression](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression) hit.[122](../../122/ "tree and pragmatics") The collapse of the nitrate industry in the north left 60,000 people unemployed, compounded by a decline in agricultural exports, resulting in an estimated 300,000 unemployed people nationwide.[123](../../123/ "tree and pragmatics") Desperate for survival, many migrants flocked to Santiago and its thriving industry.[124](../../124/ "tree and pragmatics") However, they often found themselves struggling to find housing, with many being forced to live on the streets.[125](../../125/ "tree and pragmatics") The harsh living conditions resulted in widespread diseases like tuberculosis, and took a toll on the homeless population.[126](../../126/ "tree and pragmatics") At the same time, unemployment rates and living costs skyrocketed, while the salaries of the people in Santiago fell.[127](../../127/ "tree and pragmatics") The situation would change several years later with a new industrial boom fostered by [CORFO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CORFO) and the expansion of the state apparatus from the late 1930s.[128](../../128/ "tree and pragmatics") At this time, the aristocracy lost much of its power, and the middle class, composed of merchants, bureaucrats, and professionals, acquired the role of setting national policy.[129](../../129/ "tree and pragmatics") In this context, Santiago began to develop a substantial middle- and lower-class population, while the upper classes sought refuge in the districts of the capital.[130](../../130/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus, the old moneyed class, who previously frequented Cousiño and Alameda Park, lost their hegemony over popular entertainment venues, and the [National Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Nacional_Julio_Martínez_Prádanos) emerged in 1938.[131](../../131/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Greater Santiago Relative growth of Santiago, by communes[\[15\]](../../page/6/#ref-15 "note 15")[132](../../132/ "tree and pragmatics") | | 1940 | 1952 | 1960 | 1970 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Barrancas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pudahuel) | 100 | 223 | 792 | 1978 | | [Conchalí](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conchalí) | 100 | 225 | 440 | 684 | | [La Granja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Granja,_Chile) | 100 | 264 | 1379 | 3424 | | [Las Condes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Condes) | 100 | 197 | 506 | 1083 | | [Ñuñoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ñuñoa) | 100 | 196 | 325 | 535 | | [Renca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renca) | 100 | 175 | 317 | 406 | | [San Miguel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Miguel,_Chile) | 100 | 221 | 373 | 488 | | [Santiago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_%28commune%29) | 100 | 104 | 101 | 81 | In the following decades, Santiago continued to grow at an unprecedented rate.[133](../../133/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1940, the city had a population of 952,075 residents, which increased to 1,350,409 by 1952, and reached 1,907,378 in the 1960 census.[134](../../134/ "tree and pragmatics") This growth was reflected in the urbanization of rural areas on the outskirts of the city, where middle and lower-class families with stable housing were established.[135](../../135/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1930, the urban area covered 6,500 hectares, which increased to 20,900 in 1960 and to 38,296 in 1980.[136](../../136/ "tree and pragmatics") Although growth was mainly concentrated in communities such as Barrancas to the west, [Conchalí](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conchalí) to the north, and La Cisterna and La Granja to the south, the center of the city lost population, leaving more space for commercial, banking, and government development.[137](../../137/ "tree and pragmatics") The upper class, on the other hand, began to settle in the foothills of Las Condes and the [La Reina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Reina,_Chile) sector.[138](../../138/ "tree and pragmatics") The regulation of growth in Santiago only began in the 1960s with the creation of various development plans for Greater Santiago, a concept that reflected the city's new reality as a much larger urban center.[139](../../139/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1958, the Intercommunal Plan of Santiago was released, which proposed a limit of 38,600 urban and semi-urban hectares for a maximum population of 3,260,000 residents.[140](../../140/ "tree and pragmatics") The plan also included plans for the construction of new avenues, such as the [Américo Vespucio Avenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Américo_Vespucio_Avenue) and [Panamericana Route 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile_Route_5), as well as the expansion of 'industrial belts'.[141](../../141/ "tree and pragmatics") The [1962 World Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962_FIFA_World_Cup) provided a new impetus for city improvement efforts, and in 1966, the [Santiago Metropolitan Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_Metropolitan_Park) was established on Cerro San Cristóbal.[142](../../142/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Ministry of Housing and Urbanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Housing_and_Urbanism_%28Chile%29) (MINVU) also began to eradicate [shantytowns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campamento_%28Chile%29) and build new homes.[143](../../143/ "tree and pragmatics") Finally, the [Edificio Diego Portales](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centro_Cultural_Gabriela_Mistral) was constructed in 1972.[144](../../144/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1967, the new [Pudahuel International Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_Merino_Benítez_International_Airport) was opened, and after years of discussion, construction of the [Santiago Metro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_Metro) began in 1969.[145](../../145/ "tree and pragmatics") The first phase of the Metro, which ran beneath the western section of Alameda, was opened in 1975 and soon became one of the most prestigious buildings in the city.[146](../../146/ "tree and pragmatics") Over the following years, the Metro continued to expand, with two perpendicular lines in place by the end of 1978.[147](../../147/ "tree and pragmatics") Building telecommunications infrastructure was also an important development of this period, as reflected in the construction of the [Torre Entel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_Entel), which, since its construction in 1975, has become one of the symbols of the capital and remained the tallest structure in the country for two decades.[148](../../148/ "tree and pragmatics") After the military [coup of 1973](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_Chilean_coup_d%27état) and the establishment of the [military regime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_dictatorship_of_Chile_%281973–90%29), significant changes in urban planning did not occur until the 1980s when the government embraced a [neoliberal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoliberalism) economic model.[149](../../149/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1979, the master plan was revised, expanding the urban area to over 62,000 hectares for real estate development.[150](../../150/ "tree and pragmatics") This led to [urban sprawl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_sprawl), particularly in [La Florida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Florida,_Chile), causing the city to reach 40,619 hectares in size in the early 1990s.[151](../../151/ "tree and pragmatics") According to the 1992 census, Santiago became the country's most populous municipality, with 328,881 residents.[152](../../152/ "tree and pragmatics") On 21 March 1981, a [fire in the Torre Santa María](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fires_in_high-rise_buildings) killed 11 people.[153](../../153/ "tree and pragmatics") A powerful [earthquake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_Algarrobo_earthquake) struck the city on 3 March 1985, causing minimal casualties but leaving many homeless and destroying numerous historic buildings.[154](../../154/ "tree and pragmatics") ### The metropolis in the early twenty-first century With the onset of the [transition to democracy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_transition_to_democracy) in 1990, the city of Santiago surpassed four million inhabitants, with the majority residing in the south, particularly in La Florida, which was the most populous area, followed by Puente Alto and Maipú.[155](../../155/ "tree and pragmatics") The real estate development in these municipalities, as well as in others such as Quilicura and Peñalolén, was largely driven by the construction of housing projects for middle-class families.[156](../../156/ "tree and pragmatics") Meanwhile, high-income families relocated to the foothills, now commonly referred to as Barrio Alto, boosting the population of Las Condes and giving rise to young communes, including [Lo Barnechea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lo_Barnechea) and [Vitacura](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitacura), both established in 1981 and 1991, respectively.[157](../../157/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/page/6/) - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/) - next →: [page 3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Santiago/page/3/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)