Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: June 18, 2026
Santiago is the capital city of Chile, located in the Santiago Metropolitan Region in the central part of the country. Situated at approximately 33.4489° S latitude and 70.6693° W longitude, the city covers about 641 sq km (247 sq mi) and has an estimated population of around 6.8 million people.
Location Map of Santiago, Chile
About Map: The map shows the location of Santiago in the Chile.
Where is Santiago Located?
The city was founded a long back i.e. in the year 1541, but since that time it has been experiencing the steady growth; today, Santiago is one of the most advanced metropolitan areas of Latin America. The city has extensive suburban expansion, numbers of shopping centers and malls, multi-stories architectures and various other developed infrastructures such as Santiago Metro (under developing condition), modernized pubic bus transport etc.
Furthermore, Santiago is an Alpha World City. It is a financial center and the regional headquarters of various multinational companies. Above all, Santiago has a diverse cosmopolitan culture in South America.
Santiago, Chile Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Santiago |
| Region | Santiago Metropolitan Region |
| Country | Chile |
| National Capital | Santiago |
| Region Location | Central Chile |
| Latitude | 33.4489° S |
| Longitude | 70.6693° W |
| Elevation | 1,706 ft (520 m) |
| Land Area | 248 sq mi |
| Water Area | Includes rivers, reservoirs and urban waterways |
| Total Area | 248 sq mi |
| Population (Latest Estimate) | Approximately 6.8 million |
| Population Density | Approximately 27,400 per sq mi |
| Postal Codes | 8320000-8999999 |
| Area Code | +56 2 |
| Time Zone Standard | Chile Standard Time (UTC-4) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Chile Summer Time (UTC-3) |
| Currency | Chilean Peso (CLP) |
| Administrative Code | Santiago Metropolitan Regional Government |
| National Representation | National Congress Constituencies |
Nearby Cities to Santiago, Chile
- Providencia, Chile - 3 mi East
- Las Condes, Chile - 6 mi East
- Maipú, Chile - 9 mi Southwest
- Puente Alto, Chile - 13 mi Southeast
- San Bernardo, Chile - 12 mi South
- Quilicura, Chile - 10 mi North
- Colina, Chile - 19 mi North
- Melipilla, Chile - 41 mi Southwest
- Rancagua, Chile - 54 mi South
- Valparaíso, Chile - 73 mi Northwest
Santiago, Chile Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 86 | 56 | 0.1 |
| April | 75 | 48 | 0.8 |
| July | 58 | 38 | 3.1 |
| October | 72 | 46 | 0.5 |
| Annual | 73 | 47 | 12.0 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Csb - Warm-Summer Mediterranean |
| Annual Rainfall | Approximately 12 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | More than 2,800 sunshine hours |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Very Low |
| Snowfall | Rare in City Center |
Driving Distances from Santiago, Chile
| City | Region | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providencia | Santiago Metropolitan | 3 | 10 min |
| Las Condes | Santiago Metropolitan | 6 | 15 min |
| Maipú | Santiago Metropolitan | 9 | 20 min |
| Quilicura | Santiago Metropolitan | 10 | 20 min |
| San Bernardo | Santiago Metropolitan | 12 | 25 min |
| Puente Alto | Santiago Metropolitan | 13 | 30 min |
| Colina | Santiago Metropolitan | 19 | 30 min |
| Melipilla | Santiago Metropolitan | 41 | 50 min |
| Rancagua | O'Higgins Region | 54 | 1 hr |
| Valparaíso | Valparaíso Region | 73 | 1 hr 30 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Santiago, Chile
| Airport Name | Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport |
| IATA Code | SCL |
| Port | Access via Port of Valparaíso |
| Major Highways | Route 5, Route 68, Costanera Norte, Vespucio Express |
| Train Service | EFE Trains and Regional Rail Services |
| Local Transit Service | Santiago Metro, Buses and Commuter Rail |
- Route 5 - Chile's main north-south highway passing through Santiago.
- Route 68 - Connects Santiago with Valparaíso and the Pacific coast.
- Costanera Norte - Major urban expressway crossing the metropolitan area.
- Vespucio Express - Ring-road system connecting suburban districts.
- Santiago Metro - One of Latin America's largest and busiest metro networks.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Santiago, Chile
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Cerro San Cristóbal | Hill and Park |
| Plaza de Armas | Historic Square |
| La Moneda Palace | Government Building |
| Santa Lucía Hill | Historic Landmark |
| Metropolitan Cathedral | Religious Site |
| Bellavista District | Cultural Neighborhood |
| Sky Costanera | Observation Deck |
| National Museum of Fine Arts | Museum |
| Bicentennial Park | Urban Park |
| Central Market | Market |
Places to Visit in Santiago, Chile
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Cerro San Cristóbal | Hill and Park |
| Plaza de Armas | Historic Square |
| La Moneda Palace | Government Building |
| Santa Lucía Hill | Historic Landmark |
| Metropolitan Cathedral | Religious Site |
| Bellavista District | Cultural Neighborhood |
| Sky Costanera | Observation Deck |
| National Museum of Fine Arts | Museum |
| Bicentennial Park | Urban Park |
| Central Market | Market |
Colleges and Universities in Santiago, Chile
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chile | Public | University | Research and public policy |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Chile | Private | University | Academic excellence |
| University of Santiago of Chile | Public | University | Engineering and science |
| Andrés Bello University | Private | University | Business and health sciences |
| Diego Portales University | Private | University | Law and social sciences |
Waterbodies in Santiago, Chile
Mapocho River, Maipo River, Yeso Reservoir, Laguna Carén, Lo Galindo Reservoir, El Yeso Lagoon, Aculeo Basin, Clarillo River, Colina Wetlands, Batuco Lagoon
Golf Courses in Santiago, Chile
Prince of Wales Country Club, Club de Golf Los Leones, Sport Francés Golf Club, Club de Golf Mapocho, Hacienda Chicureo Club, Brisas de Chicureo Golf Club, Las Araucarias Golf Club, Valle Escondido Golf Club, Lomas de La Dehesa Golf Club, Marbella Golf Club
Santiago, Chile - Key Historical Facts
- Santiago was founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia in 1541.
- The city became the administrative center of colonial Chile under Spanish rule.
- Santiago played a central role in Chile's independence movement during the early nineteenth century.
- The city expanded rapidly during the twentieth century as Chile's economic and political center.
- Its location between the Andes Mountains and the Chilean Coast Range has strongly influenced its development.
- Today, Santiago is Chile's largest city and serves as the country's financial, cultural and governmental hub.
References
- Government of Chile
- National Statistics Institute of Chile
- Chile Travel
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Santiago