Natales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Natales
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||
| Country |  Chile |
||||
| Region |  Magallanes y Antártica Chilena |
||||
| Province | Última Esperanza | ||||
| Founded | 1927 | ||||
| Capital | Puerto Natales | ||||
| Government | |||||
| • Type | Municipality | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 48,974.2 km2 (18,909.0 sq mi) | ||||
| Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) | ||||
| Population
(2002 Census)
|
|||||
| • Total | 19,116 | ||||
| • Density | 0.390328/km2 (1.010945/sq mi) | ||||
| • Rural | 2,138 | ||||
| Demonym(s) | Natalino | ||||
| Sex | |||||
| • Men | 10,068 | ||||
| • Women | 9,048 | ||||
| Time zone | UTC-4 (CLT) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (CLST) | ||||
| Area code(s) | 61 | ||||
| Website | Official website: http://www.muninatales.cl | ||||
Natales is a very large area in southern Chile. Its name means "births" in Spanish. It is part of the Última Esperanza Province in the Magallanes and Antartica Chilena Region. The main city and port in Natales is called Puerto Natales.
Contents
Exploring Natales: A Giant Chilean Commune
Natales is one of the biggest areas, or "communes," in Chile. It covers about 48,974 square kilometers. To give you an idea, this area is larger than eleven of Chile's sixteen political regions! A famous place nearby is the Cueva del Milodón Natural Monument. This monument is about 24 kilometers northwest of Puerto Natales. It's known for its caves where ancient sloth remains were found.
People and Population of Natales
In 2002, about 19,116 people lived in the Natales commune. More men lived there (10,068) than women (9,048). Most of these people, about 88.8%, lived in the city of Puerto Natales. The rest, about 11.2%, lived in the countryside. Puerto Natales itself had 16,978 residents in 2002. It is one of the southernmost settlements in the entire world! Between 1992 and 2002, the population of Natales grew by about 10.7%.
How Natales is Governed
Puerto Natales is an important city. It is the capital of both the Natales commune and the Última Esperanza Province. A "commune" is like a local district. It is managed by a group called a municipal council. This council is led by an "alcalde," which is like a mayor. The alcalde is chosen by the people in an election every four years. The current alcalde is Antonieta Oyarzo Alvarado. The regional governor, who oversees the whole region, is Jorge Flies Añón.
Natales is also part of Chile's national government system. It is represented by elected officials in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. These officials help make laws for the country.
See also
In Spanish: Natales para niños
