Chile's 16 Regions: A Journey From North to South

Colorful illustration of Chile's regions map over a scenic rural landscape.
Chile is divided into 16 regions, each with its own unique landscapes and culture.  

Chile Travel and News | By Raul Silva M.
 

Chile is a country of extraordinary geographic and cultural diversity. Its administrative division into 16 regions enables more efficient governance and development. Unlike other countries that use states or provinces, Chile has adopted a regional system since 1974, which has evolved over time. Each region has its own identity, economy, and attractions, making Chile a fascinating country to explore.

Here’s a complete overview of Chile’s 16 regions, starting with the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, home to the capital, and continuing from the far north to the southernmost point of the country.

Note: This post focuses on Chile’s 16 administrative regions. If you’re interested in discovering the regions from a touristic perspective, click here to visit our Welcome Page


  • Metropolitan Region of Santiago (Region XIII)

Capital: Santiago 
City population: 6,170,000 inhabitants
Total population of the region: 7,400,741 inhabitants
Area: 15,403 km²

Key Features:
  • The political, economic, and cultural center of Chile.
  • Hosts the majority of the Chilean population.
  • Features modern infrastructure, renowned universities, and vibrant cultural life.

Economy:

  • Driven by services, tourism, commerce, industry, and financial sectors.

  • Arica and Parinacota Region (Region XV)

Capital: Arica
City population: 257,163 inhabitants   
Total population of the region: 261,779 inhabitants
Area: 16,873 km²

Key Features:
  • This is the northernmost region of Chile, bordering Peru and Bolivia, as well as the Pacific Ocean. To the south, it borders the Tarapacá Region.
  • Arica is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its warm, dry climate that lasts year-round.
  • A strategic port city with strong connections to Peru and Bolivia.

Economy:

  • International trade, fishing, tourism, and agriculture.

  • Tarapacá Region (Region I)

Capital: Iquique
City population: 231,962 inhabitants   
Total population of the region: 406.287 inhabitants
Area: 41,799 km²

Key Features:
  • Renowned for its beaches and its duty-free zone (Zona Franca).
  • Rich salitrera (saltpeter) history and coastal desert landscapes.
  • Played a key role in the War of the Pacific and in Chile's nitrate boom during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Economy:
  • Home to important copper and iodine mining operations, as well as one of Chile's main free trade hubs in Iquique (ZOFRI), which boosts regional commerce and logistics.
  • Trade, mining, fishing, tourism. 

  • Antofagasta Region (Region II)
Capital: Antofagasta
City population: 360,058 inhabitants
Total population of the region: 703,745 inhabitants
Area:  126,049 km²

Key Features:
  • One of the wealthiest regions due to large-scale mining operations.
  • Home to desert plateaus and a striking Pacific coastline.
  • Hosts world-renowned astronomical observatories, thanks to its clear skies and dry climate.
Economy:
  • Copper and lithium mining, along with a wide variety of other minerals, plus related industrial services.
  •  Major investments in renewable energy.

  • Atacama Region (Region III)
Capital: Copiapó
City population: 158,438 inhabitants
Total population of the region: 311,473 inhabitants
Area: 75,176 km²

Key Features:
  • Location of the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world.
  • Internationally recognized destination for astronomy and stargazing.

Economy:
  • Mining, tourism, and valley-based agriculture.

  • Coquimbo Region (Region IV)
Capital: La Serena
City population: 213,963 inhabitants (including Coquimbo)
Total population of the region: 757,586 inhabitants
Area: 40,580 km²

Key Features:

  • Famous for its beaches and fertile valleys, especially Elqui Valley.
  • Elqui is renowned for pisco production and astrotourism.
  • Home to several internationally recognized astronomical observatories, thanks to its clear skies and favorable climate.

Economy:

  • Agriculture, fishing, tourism, mining.

  • Valparaíso Region (Region V)

Capital: Valparaíso
City population: 967,485 inhabitants (Gran Valparaíso metro area)
Total population of the region: 1,815,902 inhabitants
Area: 16,396 km²

Key Features:

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its colorful hills and unique architecture.
  • Home to one of Chile’s main seaports and renowned cultural institutions.

Economy:
  • Trade, tourism, fishing, education.

  • O'Higgins Region (Region VI)

Capital: Rancagua
City population: 257,233 inhabitants  
Total population of the region: 1,020,791 inhabitants
Area: 16,387 km²

Key Features:
  • Strong agricultural production, particularly in fruit and wine.
  • Historical relevance during Chile’s independence.

Economy:
  • Mining, agriculture, wine industry, agroindustry.

  • Maule Region (Region VII)

Capital: Talca
City population: 201,797 inhabitants
Total population of the region: 1,066,832 inhabitants
Area: 30,269 km²

Key Features:
  • A key wine-producing area with extensive rural landscapes.
  • Rich in rivers, lakes, and forests ideal for outdoor tourism.

Economy:
  • Agriculture, winemaking, forestry industry, tourism.

  • Ñuble Region (Region XVI)
Capital: Chillán
City population: 174,562 inhabitants  
Total population of the region: 513,469 inhabitants
Area: 13,178 km²

Key Features:
  • Chile’s youngest region, created in 2018.
  • Important agricultural center with thermal springs and ski resorts.

Economy:
  • Agriculture, forestry industry, tourism.

  • Biobío Region (Region VIII)

Capital: Concepción
City population: 947,585 inhabitants (Greater Concepción)  
Total population of the region: 2,084,902 inhabitants
Area: 23,890 km²

Key Features:

  • Major industrial, commercial, and academic hub.
  • Home to some of Chile’s top universities and research centers.
  • Important port activity in Talcahuano and Lirquén.
  • Diverse geography, including coastline, valleys, and Andean foothills.
  • Strong cultural identity, with historical landmarks and Mapuche heritage. 

Economy:

  • Strong in manufacturing, forestry, oil refining, and food processing.
  • Significant port logistics and fishing industries.
  • Thriving commercial and service sectors.
  • Education and healthcare contribute notably to the regional economy.
  • Renewable energy production, especially hydroelectric and wind power. 

  • La Araucanía Region (Region IX)
Capital: Temuco
City population: 282,415 inhabitants (Temuco-Padre Las Casas)
Total population of the region: 1,032,211 inhabitants
Area: 31,842 km²

Key Features:
  • Heartland of the Mapuche culture.
  • Notable for its national parks, forests, and lakes.

Economy:
  • Agriculture, tourism, forestry.

  • Los Ríos Region (Region XIV)

Capital: Valdivia
City population: 150,048 inhabitants
Total population of the region: 406,183 inhabitants
Area: 18,429 km²

Key Features:

  • Defined by its rivers and German colonial heritage.
  • Renowned for architecture, craft beer, and vibrant culture.

Economy:

  • Tourism, forestry, agriculture, fishing, and the dairy, brewing, and processed meats industries.

  • Los Lagos Region (Region X)
Capital: Puerto Montt
City population: 245,902 inhabitants  
Total population of the region: 891,177 inhabitants
Area: 48,584 km²

Key Features:
  • Gateway to Chilean Patagonia.
  • Scenic landscapes of lakes, volcanoes, and islands.

Economy:
  • Robust tourism industry, aquaculture (especially salmon), fishing, forestry, trade.

  • Aysén Region (Region XI)

Capital: Coyhaique
City population: 61,123 inhabitants
Total population of the region: 107,297 inhabitants
Area: 108,494 km²

Key Features: 
  • Wild and remote region full of glaciers, fjords, and pristine nature.
  • Low population density and rugged beauty.
  • Part of the famous Carretera Austral scenic route.
  • Ideal for ecotourism, hiking, and adventure travel.
  • Home to several national parks and protected areas, including Laguna San Rafael and Queulat.

Economy:
  • Tourism, livestock farming, and fishing.
  • Sheep and cattle ranching with wool and meat production.
  • Small-scale agriculture and forestry.
  • Handicrafts and local products contribute to rural economies.
  • Hydroelectric potential and renewable energy initiatives under development. 

  • Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica Region (Region XII)

Capital: Punta Arenas
City population: 146,465 inhabitants
Total population of the region: Approx. 166,000 inhabitants
Area: 132,297 km²

Key Features:

  • Southernmost region of Chile and one of the southernmost in the world.
  • Includes the entire Antarctic territory claimed by Chile.
  • Rich in natural wonders: Torres del Paine National Park, glaciers, fjords, and the Strait of Magellan.
  • Punta Arenas is a key gateway to Antarctica and a hub for southern Patagonia.
  • Harsh climate, low population density, and vast unspoiled landscapes.

Economy:

  • Tourism, livestock farming (especially sheep), and fishing.
  • Oil and natural gas production.
  • Antarctic logistics and scientific research.
  • Major renewable energy projects currently under development, including wind and green hydrogen initiatives.
  • Maritime transport and trade through the Strait of Magellan.

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