San Antonio, Chile

San Antonio
City and Commune
Panorama of the port of San Antonio, before the construction of a mall which obstructed the view of the port. Panorama of the port of San Antonio, before the construction of a mall which obstructed the view of the port.
Coat of arms of San Antonio Coat of arms Location of San Pedro commune in the Valparaíso Region San Antonio Location in Chile
Nickname(s): Principal Port (Puerto Principal)
Coordinates (city):
Country	Chile
Region	Valparaíso
Province	San Antonio
Founded	1894
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Alcalde	Omar Vera (2004-2008)
Area
• Total	404.5 km2 (156.2 sq mi)
Elevation	4 m (13 ft)
Population (2012 Census)
• Total	87,675
• Density	220/km2 (560/sq mi)
• Urban	83,435
• Rural	3,770
Sex
• Men	42,843
• Women	44,362
Time zone	Chile Time (CLT) (UTC-4)
• Summer (DST)	Chile Summer Time (CLST) (UTC-3)
Area code(s)	+56 35
Website	Official website (Spanish)

San Antonio is a Chilean city, commune and the capital of the San Antonio Province in the Valparaíso Region. It is the hub of the fishing area that spans the Chilean coast from Rocas de Santo Domingo to Cartagena. Its port is the largest in terms of freight handled and the busiest in the western coast of South America.

Geography

The city lies on hills and coastal dunes, immediately north of the mouth of the Maipo River and is crossed in two sections by estuaries, of Arévalo to the north and of El Sauce in the section of Llolleo.

The city is located at 33°35′S and 71°37′W. It is bordered on the north by the commune of Cartagena; on the east, by the commune of Melipilla and the Maipo River; on the south, by the same river and by the communes of Santo Domingo and San Pedro; and on the west, by the Pacific Ocean (here termed "el mar Chileno", "the Chilean sea").

It comprises an area of 502.5 km² (194 sq mi).

Climate

San Antonio enjoys a Mediterranean climate with coastal influences. The average annual temperature is 14 °C (57 °F) with averages of 19 °C (66 °F) in January and 8.2 °C (46.8 °F) in July. Annual precipitation of 570 mm (22 in) is concentrated in June, with an average of 134 mm (5 in).

History

Nomadic hunters and gatherers were the first inhabitants of Chilean territory. In this central coastal zone are evidences of ancient habitation extending back about thirteen thousand years.

The city was 80% destroyed by the 1985 Santiago earthquake.

The San Antonio port was shut down by the 27 February 2010 earthquake, but had resumed operation at 80% capacity by 3 March 2010. After the quake, only 5 of the 8 docking points at the port resumed operation.

Demographics

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, San Antonio spans an area of 404.5 km² (156 sq mi) and has 87,205 inhabitants (42,843 men and 44,362 women). Of these, 83,435 (95.7%) lived in urban areas and 3,770 (4.3%) in rural areas. The population grew by 11.6% (9,047 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.

Governmental Administration

File:Municipalidad San Antonio.jpg

Partial view of the facade of the Illustrious Municipality of San Antonio.

As a commune, San Antonio is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a communal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years. The 2008-2012 alcalde is Omar Vera Castro, who is advised by six councilors:

• Pedro Piña Mateluna (PC)
• Ramón Silva Suazo (PDC)
• Danilo Rojas Barahona (RN)
• Fernando Núñez Michellod (PS)
• Jose Martinez Fuentes (Ind., Concert of Parties for Democracy)
• Omar Morales Márquez (PRSD)

Within the electoral divisions of Chile, San Antonio is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Mrs. María José Hoffmann (UDI) and Mr. Víctor Torres (PDC) as part of the 15th electoral district, (together with Santo Domingo, Cartagena, El Tabo, El Quisco, Algarrobo and Casablanca). The commune is represented in the Senate by Francisco Chahuán Chahuán (RN) and Ricardo Lagos Weber (PPD) as part of the 6th senatorial constituency (Valparaíso-Coast).