| Santiago Province, Chile |
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Information AboutSantiago Province, Chile |
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Terrain and Climate Almost all of the province is made up of an extremely fertile, level prairie that the locals call ''la Depresión intermedia'' ( Intermediate Depression ). The terrain is known for its low elevation in relation to sea level and for being surrounded by hills, as well as emergent so-called ''island hills'', such as Santa Lucía (an ancient extinct volcano), Blanco, and Renca , present today in the city of Santiago . The climate of the Santiago Province, and generally of the Metropolitan Region is temperate Mediterranean cold, of the kind called ''continental''. Precipitation is concentrated in the winter months, generally as snow over 1,000 m above sea level and occasionally, in colder years, over the city of Santiago. Winter tends to be cold with frequent frosts during which temperature drops below 0 °C. The summer months are usually dry and hot. The Cordillera De La Costa acts as a climate screen and reduces marine influence, which makes the climate more continental. This situation becomes apparent when comparing precipitation from a coastal location such as Valparaíso (460 mm) with that of Santiago De Chile (360 mm). The annual median precipitation reaches 367 mm on average. The annual median temperature comes out to 13.5 °C, with a median high of 21 °C and a median low of 6 °C. Demographics History Before the Iberian conquest, the central zone of Chile was scarcely inhabited by the indigenous population, the Picunche s, the northern branch of the Mapuche s. The European occupation had a considerable impact on the native population, which suffered a rapid and profound disintegration. There are different reasons for this. Chief among them is the Crown's granting of gifts of land to the peninsular colonists. In addition to this, the institution of a system of '' Encomiendas '', that was only abolished by the end of the 18th century, had irreversible consequences. It represented first the appropriation of indigenous ground, and second the practice of Spaniards receiving groups of natives who had to pay tribute. With the pass of centuries, there was generated in the Province, as in the whole country, an identity of predominantly European character together with hints of native character, thus setting in motion a process of homogenization of the population. Population According to the US Dollar s ( 2000 ). The surface area of the province is 2,030 km&2. The population tends be concentrated evenly between the heart of the city and the suburbs, due to government promotion of populating urban centers in high-rise buildings by offering state subsidies, thereby avoiding the progressive extension of Greater Santiago .'' Economy at night]] Santiago Province's economic activity produces about 30% of the country’s total income; a high number due to both having the capital of the country within its area and to its central location. The "primary" or agricultural sector represents less than 3.5% of the economic activity according to the census, a figure that has remained virtually unchanged during the first few years of the 21st century. The "secondary" or industrial sector contributes 21% of the region's GDP . Finally, the tertiary or service sector fluctuates around 76% of regional GDP. This province stands out for its industrial predominance, but most of all, for its service sector. Industry is widely diverse and along with , Gas , Water , construction, commerce, transportation and communication, financial services, housing, education, health, and public administration. Transportation and Communication , a large, tree-lined boulevard in downtown.]] Because Santiago Province includes the entire city of Santiago , the network of roads is one of the most important elements in the Province's transportation system. The principal north-south routes are: Route 5 ( Autopista Central ) The basepoint for numbering the kilometers of the "Central Highway", the Chilean portion of the Panamerican Highway is in Santiago Province. This Kilometer Zero falls at the intersection with the Alameda Del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins . The highway, nicknamed "Norte-Sur" ("North-South"), comprises of quality pavement and two- and three-lane roads. Route 68 This route unites Santiago with Valparaíso and Viña Del Mar , and from there to the summer beaches in the fifth region Valparaíso . In addition, it connects to the towns of Casablanca and Curacaví . The highway, comprising of quality pavement and two- and three-lane roads, extends for 115 kilometers. Route 78 ( Autopista Del Sol ) The "Highway of the Sun" is a toll road that unites the city of Santiago with San Antonio, and from there connects to several other coastal towns including Llolleo , Cartagena , El Quisco and Algarrobo , as well as connecting to the more central Melipilla , Talagante , El Monte , Padre Hurtado and Peñaflor . Route 78 extends 110 kilometers. Route G-21 This 40 kilometer route joins the city of Santiago with the winter resort town Farellones and Valle Nevado . Route G-25 This route connects Santiago and the province of Puente Alto with Cajón Del Maipo . It extends roughly 70km to its termination in the town of El Volcán. Urban Roads and Railways Other important highways in Santiago province are part of Santiago's network of ''Autopistas Urbanas'' (urban highways). Santiago's first toll roads began to operate near the end of 2004. The tolls for using these roads are paid automatically through an electronic payment system called ''Televía'' or TAG . Vehicles must carry TAG devices to use the highways. The main highways in Santiago province are:
coming in to the station.]] The province's Railroad s are a vital form of daily Mass Transit . They are operated by the state agency EFE . Their service is continuous between the cities of Valparaíso in Valparaíso and Puerto Montt in Los Lagos . The trains of Metrotrén connect the outlying suburbs with the capital. Another important mode of transportation in the city is the Santiago Metro , a subway system. The five train lines carry an average of one million people daily, making the metro one of the leading means of transportation in the entire country. In one year, the metro services over 360 million people. Both the metro and the railroad system are considered the most modern in Latin America . The Transantiago bus system is also important. References ''This article draws heavily on the which was accessed in the version of 28 November 2005. |