The Metropolitan region is located practicaily in the center of Chile and includes the capital of the country, Santiago. Santiago is a large and extensive city, with 5 million inhabitants. it is situated of fhe foot of the Andes mountains.
The Andes, to the east of Santiago, reach a heighf of 5000 meters, and are coverad by constant snow that can be seen vear round. To the west are larga vaileys divided in some parts by the coastal ranges, that are of lower altitudes, but which are important for the climate conditions of the city.
Santiago was faunded en February 1541 by Spanish captain, Pedro de Valdivia. Ha started Santiago of fha foot of a small hill called Santa Lucia, which of that time was callad "Huelen by the nativa people. After invasions by the Araucanos lndians who pillaged and burned fhe city several times, the city took the name "Santiago del Nueva Extremo', in honor of the Apostle St. Jomes.
After that tha rest of the country was conquered by Pedro de Valdivia and his people over a period of time. The climate temperatures range from 86 degrees fahrenheit or 30 degrees centigrade ein januari to 32 degrees fahrenheit or 0 degrees in July.
Santiago is intersected to the east and west by The Mapocho River.


Picture to Santiago