Isla de Maipo
Encyclopedia
Isla de Maipo is a commune of the Talagante Province
in central Chile
's Santiago Metropolitan Region
.
approximately 40 km (24.9 mi) southwest of the metropolitan area of Santiago
and about 12 km (7 mi) from the city of Talagante
. The commune spans an area of 125.5 sqkm. In general, the commune is characterized as predominantly rural, which is reflected in its landscape of colonial houses, cultivated farms, vineyards, natural sites and the predominance of agricultural activities, which is carried out by the majority of its population. The Maipo River is the most important in the whole metropolitan area, because it supports the highest population density in Chile and is also the main stream which irrigates the area.
However, one of the most important problems in Isla de Maipo is still the unemployment and the small number of qualified jobs.
of the National Statistics Institute
, Isla de Maipo had 25,798 inhabitants (13,095 men and 12,703 women). Of these, 18,865 (73.1%) lived in urban area
s and 6,933 (26.9%) in rural areas. The population grew by 26.8% (5,454 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.
, headed by an alcalde
who is directly elected every four years. For the years 2008-2012, the alcalde is David Morales Nordetti, and his council members are:
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Isla de Maipo is represented in the Chamber of Deputies
by Mrs. Denise Pascal (PS
) and Mr. Gonzalo Uriarte (UDI) as part of the 31st electoral district, (together with Talagante
, Peñaflor
, El Monte, Melipilla
, María Pinto
, Curacaví
, Alhué
, San Pedro
and Padre Hurtado
). 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).
Talagante Province
Talagante Province is one of six provinces of the Santiago Metropolitan Region in central Chile. The capital is the city of Talagante, located approximately southwest of the national capital of Santiago...
in central Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
's Santiago Metropolitan Region
Santiago Metropolitan Region
Santiago Metropolitan Region or simply Metropolitan Region is one of Chile's 15 first order administrative divisions. It is the country's only landlocked administrative region and contains the nation's capital, Santiago...
.
Geography
Isla de Maipo can be found in the Chilean Central ValleyChilean Central Valley
The Central Valley , Intermediate Depression or Longitudinal Valley is the depression between the Chilean Costal Range and the Andes Mountains. The central valley should not be confused with Central Chile that encompasses part of the valley...
approximately 40 km (24.9 mi) southwest of the metropolitan area of Santiago
Santiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
and about 12 km (7 mi) from the city of Talagante
Talagante
Talagante is a commune and the capital city of the province of the same name in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of central Chile. The word Talagante in Quechua comes from talacanta, meaning "Lazo de Hechicero", which was the proper name of the curaca, or ruler, who dominated this central valley on...
. The commune spans an area of 125.5 sqkm. In general, the commune is characterized as predominantly rural, which is reflected in its landscape of colonial houses, cultivated farms, vineyards, natural sites and the predominance of agricultural activities, which is carried out by the majority of its population. The Maipo River is the most important in the whole metropolitan area, because it supports the highest population density in Chile and is also the main stream which irrigates the area.
Economy
Isla de Maipo is an agricultural community, primarily devoted to growing vines and other fruits typical of Mediterranean climate, such as lemons, avocados and apples. ¨The most important wineries in the town are De Martino (Santa Inés), Canepa, Viña Tarapacá, Santa Ema and Terramater. Also, there are other small companies that produce wine for bigger wineries.However, one of the most important problems in Isla de Maipo is still the unemployment and the small number of qualified jobs.
Traditions
One of its traditions is the Fiesta de La Virgen de La Merced. This feast is celebrated the last Sunday of September each year and attracts more than 80,000 pilgrims from all parts of the region, across the country and abroad. Also,La Fiesta de la Vendimia (Grape harvest feast) is celebrated every year, calling together local inhabitants and foreign tourists. The festival allows tourists to familiarize themselves with the culinary art of the commune, especially the high quality of its wines. The Plaza de Armas is converted into a large dining room, where one can hear folk and other varieties of music.Demographics
According to the 2002 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of the National Statistics Institute
National Statistics Institute (Chile)
The National Statistics Institute of Chile is a state-run organization of the Government of Chile, created in the second half of the 19th century and tasked with performing a general census of population and housing, then collecting, producing and publishing official demographic statistics of...
, Isla de Maipo had 25,798 inhabitants (13,095 men and 12,703 women). Of these, 18,865 (73.1%) lived in urban area
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
s and 6,933 (26.9%) in rural areas. The population grew by 26.8% (5,454 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.
Administration
As a commune, Isla de Maipo is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by municipal councilMunicipal council
A municipal council is the local government of a municipality. Specifically the term can refer to the institutions of various countries that can be translated by this term...
, headed by an alcalde
Alcalde
Alcalde , or Alcalde ordinario, is the traditional Spanish municipal magistrate, who had both judicial and administrative functions. An alcalde was, in the absence of a corregidor, the presiding officer of the Castilian cabildo and judge of first instance of a town...
who is directly elected every four years. For the years 2008-2012, the alcalde is David Morales Nordetti, and his council members are:
- Emilio Astudillo Rojas (PPDParty for DemocracyThe Party for Democracy is a political party in Chile; it is social democratic in its political orientation. It was founded in December 1987 by Ricardo Lagos, who aimed at forming a legal social democratic party . The party continued to function after the defeat of Pinochet...
) - Hernán Leiva Lissembart (RNNational RenewalNational Renewal may refer to:*National Renewal *National Renewal...
) - Maximiliano Genskowski Inostroza (UDI)
- Fernando Trujillo Villegas (PDCChristian Democratic PartyChristian democratic parties are those political parties that seek to apply Christian principles to public policy. The underlying Christian democracy movement emerged in 19th-century Europe, largely under the influence of Catholic social teaching, and it continues to be influential in Europe and...
) - Carlos Seemann Santos (UDI)
- José Riquelme Herrera (PDC)
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Isla de Maipo is represented in the Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of Deputies of Chile
The Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Chile is the lower house of Chile's bicameral Congress. Its organisation and its powers and duties are defined in articles 42 to 59 of Chile's current constitution....
by Mrs. Denise Pascal (PS
Socialist Party of Chile
The Socialist Party of Chile is a political party, that is part of the center-left Coalition of Parties for Democracy coalition. Its historical leader was the late President of Chile Salvador Allende Gossens, who was deposed by General Pinochet in 1973...
) and Mr. Gonzalo Uriarte (UDI) as part of the 31st electoral district, (together with Talagante
Talagante
Talagante is a commune and the capital city of the province of the same name in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of central Chile. The word Talagante in Quechua comes from talacanta, meaning "Lazo de Hechicero", which was the proper name of the curaca, or ruler, who dominated this central valley on...
, Peñaflor
Peñaflor, Chile
Peñaflor is a city and commune of the Talagante Province in central Chile's Santiago Metropolitan Region.-Geography:It can be found in the Chilean Central Valley approximately southwest of the metropolitan area of Santiago...
, El Monte, Melipilla
Melipilla
Melipilla is a Chilean commune and capital city of the province of the same name, located in the Santiago Metropolitan Region southwest of the nation's capital...
, María Pinto
María Pinto
María Pinto is a town and commune of the Melipilla Province in central Chile's Santiago Metropolitan Region.-Demographics:According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, María Pinto spans an area of and has 10,343 inhabitants . Of these, 1,654 lived in urban areas and 8,689 in...
, Curacaví
Curacaví
Curacaví is a city and commune in the Melipilla Province of central Chile's Santiago Metropolitan Region.-Geography and climate:Immersed among the hills of the coastal mountain range, Curacaví occupies an area of and borders the following communes: Casablanca, Quilpué, Lampa, Pudahuel, Maipú,...
, Alhué
Alhué
Alhué is a Chilean town and commune located in Melipilla Province, Santiago Metropolitan Region.-Demographics:According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Alhué spans an area of and has 4,435 inhabitants . Of these, 2,593 lived in urban areas and 1,842 in rural areas...
, San Pedro
San Pedro, Chile
San Pedro is a commune of the Melipilla Province in central Chile's Santiago Metropolitan Region.-Demographics:According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, San Pedro spans an area of and has 7,549 inhabitants , making the commune an entirely rural area...
and Padre Hurtado
Padre Hurtado
Padre Hurtado is a Chilean city and commune in Talagante Province, Santiago Metropolitan Region. A portion of the commune belongs to the Greater Santiago conurbation...
). The commune is represented in the Senate
Senate of Chile
The Senate of the Republic of Chile is the upper house of Chile's bicameral National Congress, as established in the current Constitution of Chile.-Composition:...
by Guido Girardi Lavín (PPD) and Jovino Novoa Vásquez (UDI) as part of the 7th senatorial constituency (Santiago-West).
External links
- Official link - Municipality of Isla de Maipo