Quilicura facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Quilicura
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Quilicura and Renca hill
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| Country | Chile | |||||
| Region | Santiago | |||||
| Province | Santiago | |||||
| Government | ||||||
| • Type | Municipality | |||||
| Area | ||||||
| • Total | 57.5 km2 (22.2 sq mi) | |||||
| Population
(2017 census)
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| • Total | 210,410 | |||||
| • Density | 3,659/km2 (9,478/sq mi) | |||||
| Sex (2017 census) | ||||||
| • Men | 103,456 | |||||
| • Women | 106,954 | |||||
| Website | Municipality of Quilicura | |||||
Quilicura (pronounced like KIL-i-KOOR-uh) is a commune in Chile. It's located in the country's capital city, Santiago. Quilicura was started in 1901.
It used to be a smaller town on the edge of Santiago. But as Santiago grew, Quilicura became a busy part of the city. It was once mostly farmland, but now it's quickly becoming more urban.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Meaning of Quilicura
The name Quilicura comes from the Mapuche language, Mapudungun. It combines two words: kila, which means "three," and kura, meaning "stone."
These "Three Stones" refer to three hills. These hills naturally separate the area and used to mark the border with a nearby place called Renca.
Where is Quilicura Located?
Quilicura is in the Santiago Province, within the Santiago Metropolitan Region. It's on the northwestern side of Santiago, Chile's capital.
It shares borders with several other areas:
- To the south, it borders Renca. Renca Hill forms a natural barrier between them.
- To the west, it's next to Pudahuel.
- To the east, you'll find Huechuraba and Conchalí.
- To the north, it borders Lampa and Colina.
Quilicura has fewer green spaces compared to wealthier parts of Santiago. This is because it's still an important industrial area.
People and Population in Quilicura
In 2002, Quilicura covered an area of about 57.5 square kilometers (22.2 square miles). At that time, it had 126,518 people living there. Most of these people (99.6%) lived in urban areas, while a small number (0.4%) lived in rural areas.
The population grew a lot between 1992 and 2002, increasing by over 200%. By 2012, early numbers showed that Quilicura had grown to 203,946 residents.
The most recent count in 2017 showed that Quilicura's population reached 210,410 people. Out of these, about 103,456 were men and 106,954 were women.
In recent years, many people from Haiti have made Quilicura their home. This has created a large Haitian community in the area.
Getting Around: Transport in Quilicura
Quilicura is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Santiago's international airport. Major highways like the Américo Vespucio Norte Highway and the Pan-American Highway serve the area.
Public buses, part of the RED system, connect Quilicura to the center of Santiago. These buses run often, making it easy to travel.
The Santiago Metro Line 3 has been expanding to Quilicura. The first part of the metro extension opened in January 2019. The second part was finished in 2023. Currently, the closest metro station is Los Libertadores, which is the last stop on Line 3 to the north.
How Quilicura is Governed
Quilicura is a third-level administrative division in Chile. It is managed by a municipal council. The council is led by a mayor, who is chosen directly by voters every four years.
The current mayor for 2021-2024 is Paulina Bobadilla Navarrete. She is an Independent politician.
The communal council also has several members:
- Alexandra Arancibia Olea (Independent)
- Nicolas Quiroz Venegas (Independent)
- Gonzalo López Pizarro (Independent)
- Daniela Cuevas Fuentes (Communist Party)
- Lorena Ayala Galaz (Independent)
- Juan Muñoz Milla (Independent)
- María Margarita Indo Romo (Christian Democratic Party)
- Miguel Astudillo Cáceres (National Renewal)
Quilicura is part of a larger electoral district, District No. 8. This district also includes other communes like Colina, Lampa, Pudahuel, Maipú, Til Til, Cerrillos, and Estación Central.
For senatorial elections, Quilicura belongs to the VII Senatorial District. This district represents the entire Metropolitan Region of Santiago.
Notable People from Quilicura
- Carmen Romo Sepúlveda
See also
In Spanish: Quilicura para niños
