Santiago facts for kids
Santiago is a very common name used for many different places around the world, especially in countries where Spanish or Portuguese are spoken. The name "Santiago" comes from "Saint James," who was one of Jesus's twelve apostles. Many cities, towns, provinces, and even islands are named Santiago.
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What Does Santiago Mean?
The name "Santiago" is the Spanish form of "Saint James." Saint James was an important figure in Christianity. Because of this, many places founded by Spanish or Portuguese explorers were named in his honor. This is why you find so many places called Santiago across Latin America and other parts of the world.
Santiago Around the World
Santiago is a popular name for cities and regions. Here are some of the most well-known places named Santiago:
Santiago, Chile: The Capital City
The most famous "Santiago" is often Santiago, Chile, which is the capital city of Chile. It is the largest city in Chile and a very important center for the country's economy, culture, and government. The city is located in a valley surrounded by the Andes Mountains.
History of Santiago, Chile
Santiago was founded by a Spanish explorer named Pedro de Valdivia on February 12, 1541. He named it "Santiago del Nuevo Extremo." The city was built near the Mapocho River. Over the centuries, Santiago grew into a major city. It has seen many changes, including earthquakes and battles, but it has always been rebuilt.
Life in Santiago, Chile
Santiago is a busy and modern city. It has many tall buildings, including the Gran Torre Santiago, which is one of the tallest buildings in South America. The city also has many green spaces, parks, and historical sites. People in Santiago enjoy a mix of old and new.
Getting Around Santiago
Santiago has a large and modern public transport system. The Santiago Metro is a subway system that helps millions of people travel across the city every day. There are also many buses and other ways to get around.
Famous Places in Santiago
- Plaza de Armas: This is the main square in the city center. It's surrounded by important buildings like the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral and the Central Post Office.
- San Cristóbal Hill: This large hill offers amazing views of the city and the Andes Mountains. It has a statue of the Virgin Mary at the top.
- Museums and Theaters: Santiago has many museums, like the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts, and theaters, such as the Municipal Theatre of Santiago, where you can enjoy art and performances.
- Parks: The city has beautiful parks like the Santiago Metropolitan Park, which is one of the largest urban parks in the world.
Other Notable Santiagos
While Santiago, Chile, is very prominent, here are a few other important places named Santiago:
- Santiago de Compostela, Spain: This city is famous as the end point of the Camino de Santiago, a very old pilgrimage route. It has a beautiful cathedral where the remains of Saint James are believed to be.
- Santiago de Cuba, Cuba: This is the second-largest city in Cuba. It's known for its rich history, music, and vibrant culture.
- Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic: This is one of the largest cities in the Dominican Republic and an important cultural and economic center.
- Santiago Island (Galápagos), Ecuador: This island is part of the famous Galápagos Islands. It is known for its unique wildlife, including sea lions and marine iguanas.
Images for kids
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Map of colonial Santiago at the beginning of the 18th century.
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The Calicanto bridge over the Mapocho river was the main symbol of the city of Santiago after its inauguration in 1779.
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Battle of Maipú, 1818
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La Alameda, Santiago in 1860
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Map of Santiago in 1895.
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The Plaza de Armas in 1906.
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View of Ahumada, in the city center, in the late 1920s.
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Women prepare soup kitchens in 1932.
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View of Alameda in 1930.
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Extension of Greater Santiago, in 1965.
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The Gran Torre Santiago (Great Santiago Tower), part of the Costanera Center complex, is the second tallest building in Ibero-America
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Satellite image of Santiago taken by Landsat 8 on 24 October 2014.
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Santiago by Human Development Index on a commune-basis in 2017.
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Estación Central railway station, with an X'Trapolis trainset
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Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado
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Costanera Norte Expressway
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Vicente Valdés station
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Los Leones station
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The statue of the Virgin Mary at San Cristobal Hill is one of the main symbols of the city.
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Municipal Theatre of Santiago.
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Interior from Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center.
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Ski Center La Parva
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Santiago Metropolitan Park
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Santiago in the winter
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Santiago in the summer
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Palacio de La Moneda
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Contemporary Art Museum of Santiago
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Fine Arts Museum
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Biblioteca Nacional de Chile
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Former Congress Building
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Chemamull statues at Precolumbian Art Museum of Santiago
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Club de La Unión
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Façade of the Santiago Stock Exchange
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Basílica del Salvador
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Paseo Bulnes, downtown Santiago
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Paseo Ahumada, downtown Santiago
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A street in Santiago
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See also
In Spanish: Santiago de Chile para niños
