Independencia, Chile
Commune in Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Independencia (Spanish pronunciation: [indepenˈdensja], meaning "independence") is a commune of Chile, situated in the Santiago Province of the Santiago Metropolitan Region. The commune's main thoroughfare is Independencia Avenue. It has a population of 116,943.[4]
Independencia | |
|---|---|
| |
  Independencia Location in Chile | |
| Coordinates (city): 33°25′S 70°40′W | |
| Country |  Chile |
| Region |  Santiago Metropolitan Region |
| Province | Santiago |
| Founded | 1945 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Commune |
| • Alcalde | Agustín Iglesias Muñoz (UDI) |
| Area | |
| 7.4 km2 (2.9 sq mi) | |
| Population (2024)[4] | |
| 116,943 | |
| • Density | 16,000/km2 (41,000/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 116,943 |
| • Rural | 0 |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (CLT[5]) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (CLST[6]) |
| Area code | 56 + |
| Website | Municipality of Independencia |
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History
The Hipódromo Chile horse racetrack opened in 1906, and hosts the Gran Premio Hipódromo Chile and the Clásico St. Leger. One of the commune's greatest achievements was the construction of Estadio Independencia, owned by Club Deportivo Universidad Católica. The stadium, demolished in 1971, was used for Chilean and Latin American sports between 1945 and 1967.[7] Another venue built in the commune was the Estadio Santa Laura, owned by Unión Española, which is still in use today.
Demographics
As of the 2024 census, the commune of Independencia has a population of 116,943, of which 48.7% are male and 51.3% are female, compared to the nationwide average of 48.5% and 51.5% respectively. People under 15 years old make up 17.5% of the population, and people over 65 years old make up 11.0%, compared to the nationwide average of 17.7% and 14.0% respectively. 100% of the commune's population is urban.[4]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 95,723 | — |
| 1982 | 86,724 | −0.82% |
| 1992 | 77,794 | −1.08% |
| 2002 | 65,479 | −1.71% |
| 2017 | 100,281 | +2.88% |
| 2024 | 116,943 | +2.22% |
| Source: INE[8][4], Memoria Chilena[9] | ||
- Average annual household income: $30,355 (PPP, 2006)[10][failed verification]
- Population below poverty line: 6.0% (2006)[11]
- Regional quality of life index: 78.95, mid-high, 15 out of 52 (2005)[citation needed]
- Human Development Index: 0.709, 111 out of 341 (2003)[12]
Administration
As a commune, Independencia is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years. The alcalde for the 2024-2028 term is Agustín Iglesias Muñoz (UDI).[1][2] The communal council has the following members:
- Leyla Pichara González (FA)
- Rosa Huilipan Castillo (PCCh)
- José Miguel Cuevas Fonsea (PS)
- Macarena Díaz Rossel (UDI)
- Manuel Jara Vargas (Ind/UDI)
- Sandra Álvarez Ruíz (RN)
- Rodrigo Barco Sánchez (RN)
- Máximo Breake Díaz (REP)
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Independencia is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Patricio Hales (PPD) and Claudia Nogueira (UDI) as part of the 19th electoral district, (together with Recoleta). The commune is represented in the Senate by Guido Girardi Lavín (PPD) and Jovino Novoa Vásquez (UDI) as part of the 7th senatorial constituency (Santiago-West).