Chile Regions and Capitals - Regions in Chile

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated On: May 27, 2026

Chile is divided into 16 regions (regiones) and one special territory. Here is a list of the regions in Chile:

Chile is a long and narrow country along the western edge of South America, bordered by Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and the Pacific Ocean. The country is divided into 16 regions, and those regions are further divided into provinces and communes for local administration. Santiago is the national capital and also the largest city in Chile.

Chile stretches from the dry Atacama Desert in the north to glaciers and fjords in the far south. Because of its unusual shape and huge north-to-south distance, the country has very different climates, landscapes, and local economies across its regions.

Key Facts

  • National capital: Santiago
  • Total population: 19,764,771 (Official estimate 2024)
  • Total area: 756,102 km² (291,933 sq miles)
  • Currency: Chilean Peso ($, CLP)
  • Bordering countries: Peru, Bolivia, Argentina
  • Total Regions: 16
  • Total Provinces: 56

List of Regions and Capitals of Chile

Total regions shown: 16 | Combined population: 19,764,771 | Combined area: 756,102 km²

#Region NameCapital CityRegionArea (km²)Population (Latest Census)
1Arica y ParinacotaAricaFar North16,873273,706
2TarapacáIquiqueNorth42,225391,878
3AntofagastaAntofagastaNorth126,049721,000
4AtacamaCopiapóNorth Central75,176319,000
5CoquimboLa SerenaNorth Central40,580889,000
6ValparaísoValparaísoCentral Coast16,3961,896,053
7Metropolitan Region of SantiagoSantiagoCentral15,4038,400,000
8O'HigginsRancaguaCentral South16,387995,000
9MauleTalcaCentral South30,2961,131,939
10ÑubleChillánSouth Central13,178512,289
11BiobíoConcepciónSouth Central23,8901,676,000
12AraucaníaTemucoSouth31,8421,050,000
13Los RíosValdiviaSouth18,430405,000
14Los LagosPuerto MonttSouthern Lakes48,584890,000
15AysénCoyhaiquePatagonia108,494108,000
16Magallanes y de la Antártica ChilenaPunta ArenasFar South Patagonia132,291107,906

Largest Regions by Area

  • Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena - 51,078 sq mi (132,291 km²)
  • Antofagasta - 48,668 sq mi (126,049 km²)
  • Aysén - 41,890 sq mi (108,494 km²)
  • Atacama - 29,026 sq mi (75,176 km²)
  • Los Lagos - 18,758 sq mi (48,584 km²)
  • Tarapacá - 16,303 sq mi (42,225 km²)
  • Coquimbo - 15,668 sq mi (40,580 km²)
  • Araucanía - 12,294 sq mi (31,842 km²)

Most Populous Regions

  • Metropolitan Region of Santiago - Population: 8,400,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Valparaíso - Population: 1,896,053 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Biobío - Population: 1,676,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Maule - Population: 1,131,939 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Araucanía - Population: 1,050,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • O'Higgins - Population: 995,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Los Lagos - Population: 890,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Coquimbo - Population: 889,000 (Official Estimate 2024)

Smallest Regions by Area

  • Ñuble - 5,088 sq mi (13,178 km²)
  • Metropolitan Region of Santiago - 5,947 sq mi (15,403 km²)
  • O'Higgins - 6,327 sq mi (16,387 km²)
  • Valparaíso - 6,331 sq mi (16,396 km²)
  • Arica y Parinacota - 6,515 sq mi (16,873 km²)
  • Los Ríos - 7,116 sq mi (18,430 km²)

Regions by Regional Grouping

  • Far North: Arica y Parinacota
  • North: Tarapacá, Antofagasta
  • North Central: Atacama, Coquimbo
  • Central Coast: Valparaíso
  • Central: Metropolitan Region of Santiago
  • Central South: O'Higgins, Maule
  • South Central: Ñuble, Biobío
  • South: Araucanía, Los Ríos
  • Southern Lakes: Los Lagos
  • Patagonia: Aysén
  • Far South Patagonia: Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena

Landlocked Regions

  • Metropolitan Region of Santiago

Regions with Coastline

  • Arica y Parinacota
  • Tarapacá
  • Antofagasta
  • Atacama
  • Coquimbo
  • Valparaíso
  • O'Higgins
  • Maule
  • Ñuble
  • Biobío
  • Araucanía
  • Los Ríos
  • Los Lagos
  • Aysén
  • Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena

Regions Sharing Borders with Other Countries

  • Peru: Arica y Parinacota
  • Bolivia: Arica y Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta
  • Argentina: Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo, Metropolitan Region of Santiago, O'Higgins, Maule, Biobío, Araucanía, Los Ríos, Los Lagos, Aysén, Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena

Sources