Providencia, Chile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Providencia
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Mapocho River in Providencia
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| Country | Chile | ||||
| Region | Santiago Metropolitan Region | ||||
| Province | Santiago | ||||
| Seat | 25 February 1897 | ||||
| Government | |||||
| • Type | Municipality | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 14.4 km2 (5.6 sq mi) | ||||
| Population
(2002 Census)
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| • Total | 120,874 | ||||
| • Density | 8,394/km2 (21,740/sq mi) | ||||
| • Urban | 120,874 | ||||
| • Rural | 0 | ||||
| Sex | |||||
| • Men | 53,082 | ||||
| • Women | 67,792 | ||||
| Time zone | UTC-4 (CLT) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (CLST) | ||||
| Postal Code |
7500000
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| Area code(s) | 56 + | ||||
| Website | Municipality of Providencia | ||||
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Providencia (which means "providence" in Spanish) is a special area, or commune, in Santiago City, Chile. It's like a neighborhood with its own local government. It shares borders with other parts of Santiago, including Las Condes and Ñuñoa.
Providencia is known for being a modern and busy place. You'll find many tall apartment buildings and lots of shops and businesses here. It also has beautiful old houses that were once homes for important families. Today, many of these old houses are used as offices. Many countries, like Canada, Japan, and France, have their embassies (official offices for their governments) in Providencia. This area is considered one of the best places to live in Latin America.
Contents
Understanding Providencia's Population
In 2002, a count of the people living in Providencia showed that it covers an area of about 14.4 square kilometers (about 5.6 square miles). At that time, 120,874 people lived there. More women lived in Providencia than men. Everyone in Providencia lives in an urban (city) setting, meaning there are no rural (countryside) parts. The number of people living in Providencia grew by about 8.7% between 1992 and 2002.
Key Facts About Providencia
Here are some interesting facts about Providencia:
- Area: 14.4 square kilometers (about 5.6 square miles).
- Population: Around 126,436 people (this was an estimate for 2009).
- Income: In 2006, the average yearly income for families was about US$53,767.
- Poverty: Only about 3.5% of the people were living below the poverty line in 2006. This is a very low number.
- Quality of Life: Providencia has a high quality of life. In 2005, it ranked 5th out of 52 areas in the region for quality of life.
- Human Development Index (HDI): This is a way to measure how well people are doing in terms of health, education, and living standards. In 2003, Providencia had a very high HDI of 0.911, ranking 4th out of 341 areas.
Famous People from Providencia
Some important people who have lived in Providencia include:
- Patricio Aylwin: A former president of Chile.
- Ricardo Lagos: Another former president of Chile.
- Gabriel Valdés: A well-known former senator.
How Providencia is Governed
Providencia is run by a municipal council. This council is led by an alcalde, which is like a mayor. The mayor is chosen directly by the people every four years. From 2021 to 2024, the mayor of Providencia is Evelyn Matthei.
The municipal council also has several members who help make decisions for the commune. These members come from different political groups.
Providencia is part of a larger area called Electoral District No. 10. This district also includes other communes like Santiago and Ñuñoa. When people vote for members of the Chamber of Deputies (part of Chile's national government), they vote within this district.
The main office for Chile's air traffic control, called the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, is also located in Providencia.
Exploring Providencia's Landmarks
Providencia has many interesting places to visit:
Bohemian Bellavista Neighborhood
One famous spot is Barrio Bellavista. This area is known for its artistic and lively atmosphere. Many artists and performers live and work here. Bellavista is located near Cerro San Cristóbal, a large hill in the city. At the top of this hill, there's a 22-meter (about 72-foot) statue of The Virgin Mary.
Shopping and Business Areas
The northern part of Providencia is a major center for business and shopping. This area is mainly found along Providencia and Nueva Providencia avenues. The rest of Providencia has many expensive homes.
Other Fun Places to See
- Metropolitan Zoo: A great place to see animals.
- Teleférico: This is an aerial gondola, like a cable car, that takes people from the bottom of Pedro de Valdivia Norte Street all the way to the top of San Cristóbal Hill. It offers amazing views!
- Media Hubs: Several television networks and Radio Cooperativa (a radio station) have their offices in Providencia.
See also
In Spanish: Providencia (Chile) para niños
