Destination guide: Santiago de Chile

About Santiago de Chile

Chile's capital is the city of Santiago - the primary hub of economic and urban development in the country. Located in the Central Valley, the metropolis is flanked by the Andes mountain range on the east and the Pacific Ocean some 100 kilometers (62 miles) to the west.

The "Gran Santiago" is made up of 37 different administrative divisions or districts each with its own identity, some of which have become true archetypes of cuisine, education, art, commerce and tourism.

Ranked as having the third best quality of life in the region, Santiago is home to the largest financial, commercial, governmental and cultural centers. It also boasts modern transport systems such as a subway (Metro) that connects the entire city and an urban network of buses called Transantiago.