Santiago

Santiago, the capital of Chili and of Santiago province, stands in a wide and beautiful plain near the western base of the Andes, 1700 feet above sea-level, and 115 miles by rail ESE. of Valparaiso. The snow-capped cordilleras seem to enclose it on the north and east; while on the east side the picturesque Cerro de Santa Lucia—now dotted with grottoes, statues, kiosks, restaurants, a historical museum, and an observatory—rises abruptly within the city, some 800 feet from the level of the plain. Through the northern part rolls a small but turbulent stream, the Mapocho, now crossed by five handsome bridges. The city is regularly laid out, with streets comparatively broad, lit with gas and the electric light, and tramways in all directions; most of the houses, however, are of one story only, owing to the earthquakes (the most serious have occurred in 1575, 1647, 1730, 1822, 1835), though handsome private buildings are becoming every year more numerous. The principal square is the great Plaza Independencia, its sides formed by the government palaces, the Grand English Hotel, several arcades, and the cathedral and archbishop's palace. The cathedral is a large plain building of brick and stone, but inside it is very richly furnished. The Dominican church, only recently completed, is also worthy of notice. The Jesuit church which was burned down in 1863 has not been rebuilt; and on the site, opposite the capitol, a monument of marble and bronze has been erected (1872) in memory of the 2000 worshippers, mostly women, who perished in the fire. The capitol itself is a large two-story building of yellow stucco. Other government buildings are the mint, with the official residence of the president; a large and well-managed prison; two excellent hospitals; a deaf and dumb asylum, &c. Santiago boasts a noble Alameda, with four rows of fine poplars, running nearly the whole length of the town, and adorned with numerous statues. Facing it are the university (1842), with 912, and the National Institute, with 1148 students. The city has also a military school; a school of arts; and a school of agriculture, with a large model farm; a conservatoire; two normal schools; a valuable national library (1813), with 65,000 volumes; botanical and zoological gardens; exposition buildings; and finally, three theatres, several club-houses, and a jockey-club. The suburbs of Santiago are very pretty, with villas and gardens bright with flowers. The climate is dry and generally agreeable, but the changes of temperature are somewhat trying. The city is of importance as a commercial place, and it has a busy stock exchange. Its manufactures include cloth, ship's biscuits, beer, brandy, &c., and it has also an ice-factory, a fruit-conserving establishment, and copper-smelting works. Santiago was founded by Pedro de Valdivia in 1541. Pop. (1865) 168,553; (1895) 256,403.—Area of the province, 5223 sq. m.; pop. (1895) 415,636.