La Reina (Spanish for "The Queen", from a historical pronunciation of the surname Larraín) is a commune in eastern Santiago, the capital of Chile. It is located in Santiago Province in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, at the foot of the Andes and within Greater Santiago. It borders Las Condes to the north and east, Peñalolén to the south, and Providencia and Ñuñoa to the west. The commune was established in 1963 after being separated from Ñuñoa.[1]
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La Reina
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View of La Reina from Mallplaza Egaña
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La Reina
Location in Chile
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| Coordinates: 33°27′S 70°33′W / 33.450°S 70.550°W | |
| Country | Chile |
| Region | Santiago Metropolitan |
| Province | Santiago |
| Established | 1 July 1963 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Mayor | José Manuel Palacios Parra (UDI) |
| Area | |
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• Total
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23.0 km2 (8.9 sq mi) |
| Population
(2024 census)
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• Total
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89,870 |
| • Density | 3,910/km2 (10,100/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Reinino/a |
| Time zone | UTC−4 (CLT/CLST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−3 |
| Website | Municipality of La Reina |
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La Reina is predominantly residential and is characterized by relatively low-density development, extensive tree cover, and the presence of the foothills of the Andes in its eastern sector. The commune includes several large parks and areas of natural vegetation, as well as the Aeródromo Eulogio Sánchez, the Military Hospital of Santiago, and major commercial areas around Mallplaza Egaña.[2]
With an area of 23.0 km², La Reina had 89,870 inhabitants according to the 2024 Chilean census, down from 92,787 in the 2017 census. The 2024 population was 47,610 women and 42,260 men.[3]
History
editPre-Columbian period
editArchaeological investigations in the area of present-day La Reina have identified occupations dating to pre-Columbian societies of central Chile. At the Parque La Quintrala archaeological site, researchers identified a residential sector and a burial area. Material from the residential sector, including decorated pottery and other artifacts, has been associated with the Bato cultural tradition, with dates ranging from approximately 20 BC to AD 280. Other remains at the site have been associated with the Llolleo culture.[4]
The area also contains archaeological evidence associated with the Inca presence in central Chile. Archaeological investigations have identified Inca-period burials in La Reina and surrounding areas, forming part of the wider evidence for Inca expansion into central Chile during the late pre-Columbian period.
Colonial period
editDuring the Spanish conquest, the territory that now forms La Reina was part of the wider area of Ñuñoa, east of the colonial settlement of Santiago. The region contained indigenous settlements and agricultural lands that were subsequently incorporated into Spanish colonial estates. The sector of Tobalahue, corresponding to much of present-day La Reina, was divided into agricultural properties and was used for crops including vineyards and fruit trees.
Among the early landowners was Bartolomé Blumenthal, a German-born soldier who arrived in Chile with Pedro de Valdivia. His lands in the Tobalaba area subsequently passed through his descendants and related families. Part of the territory later became associated with Catalina de los Ríos y Lisperger, known as La Quintrala, whose historical reputation became the subject of legends concerning the colonial period.
The Larraín estate and the origin of the name
editThe present name of La Reina is associated with the Larraín family. In 1723, Santiago de Larraín y Vicuña, a Chilean politician who served as president of the Real Audiencia of Quito, received from his daughter María Josefa an estate that formed part of the former Tobalaba lands. The property subsequently remained associated with the Larraín family for much of the 18th and 19th centuries.[5]
The surname Larraín was sometimes pronounced approximately as "Lerrein" or "Lerreín", and the estate consequently became known as La Reina. The same historical association is reflected in the name of Avenida Larraín, one of the principal east-west roads of the commune.[5]
In 1924, the Chilean geographer Luis Risopatrón described La Reina as a rural estate east of Ñuñoa. At the time, the estate comprised approximately 630 hectares of irrigated land, including vineyards and woodland.[3]
Creation of the commune
editUntil 1891, the territory was administered by the Municipality of Santiago. Following the municipal reorganization enacted under President Jorge Montt, it became part of the Municipality of Ñuñoa in the Department of Santiago.
On 23 February 1963, President Jorge Alessandri promulgated Law 15,169, which created the commune-subdelegation of La Reina from territory previously belonging to Ñuñoa. The commune began its legal existence on 1 July 1963.[1]
The commune's development retained elements of its former semi-rural character. Municipal planning has subsequently emphasized lower-density residential development and the preservation of vegetation, particularly toward the foothills. The Municipality of La Reina describes this historical development as having progressed from west to east along the access routes to former agricultural properties.[5]
In 1966, La Reina became the first commune in Chile to establish a municipal public transport company. The service was inaugurated on 4 November 1966 with 14 red-and-white buses operating between Plaza Chile Perú and Estación Mapocho.[6]
The municipal coat of arms was adopted on 21 March 1988. Its design incorporates two eagles from the coat of arms associated with the Larraín family, reflecting the historical connection between the family and the former estate.[5]
Geography and environment
editLa Reina occupies approximately 23 km² in the northeastern part of Greater Santiago, between the central basin and the foothills of the Andes. Its eastern sector rises toward the precordillera and the Sierra de Ramón, while the western portion forms part of the Santiago Basin. The terrain becomes steeper toward the east, where the San Ramón Fault and the transition to the Andes influence local topography.[2]
The commune lies within the Maipo River watershed. Its terrain includes natural streams, springs, channels and other watercourses, including the San Ramón Canal. The combination of steep eastern terrain and watercourses makes some parts of the commune susceptible to flooding and debris flows.[7]
The climate is Mediterranean, with winter rainfall and dry summers. The commune's eastern foothill environment also creates local variations associated with elevation.
The vegetation of the precordillera includes Mediterranean sclerophyllous woodland and scrub. Species associated with the area include quillay and litre, while higher elevations contain additional native vegetation. The Contrafuerte Cordillerano has been identified as an ecologically significant area containing sclerophyllous vegetation and habitats for a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.[8]
Protected and natural areas
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Parque Mahuida is located on the foothills in the eastern part of La Reina. The park covers approximately 190 hectares and includes areas of native vegetation. A municipal conservation initiative, RENAMU Mawida, has been developed within the park to protect native vegetation and ecological values.[9]
The Parque Natural Aguas de Ramón conservation area extends across several communes, including a portion of La Reina. The area forms part of the precordilleran landscape and is recognized as an initiative of private and community conservation.[10]
Other significant green spaces include Parque Padre Hurtado, Parque Alcalde Ricardo Contreras Bueras, Parque Quinchamalí, Parque Andacollo, Parque Quillagua, Parque Tobalaba and Parque Sánchez Fontecilla. The commune also contains numerous neighborhood plazas, including Plaza Bombero Soto, Plaza Carol Urzúa, Plaza La Reina, Plaza Ossandón, Plaza Gabriela Mistral and Plaza Chile Perú.[11]
Demographics
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According to the 2024 census, La Reina had 89,870 inhabitants, of whom 47,610 were women and 42,260 were men. The population declined by 3.1% from the 92,787 inhabitants recorded in the 2017 census. The commune is entirely urban.[3]
The 2024 census recorded an aging population relative to the national average: 17.9% of residents were aged 65 or older, while 16.3% were aged 0–14. The proportion of residents born outside Chile increased from 5.8% in 2017 to 7.3% in 2024.[3]
La Reina has traditionally had a relatively high proportion of middle- and upper-income households, although socioeconomic conditions vary across the commune. Lower-income residential areas are concentrated in some sectors near the boundary with Peñalolén, including Villa La Reina.
Neighborhoods
editLa Reina contains numerous neighborhood sectors, including Barrio Francisco de Villagra, Barrio Blest Gana, Barrio Lynch, Barrio Palmas de Mallorca, Barrio Príncipe de Gales, Barrio Onofre Jarpa, Barrio Troncos Viejos, Barrio Las Arañas, Barrio Pepe Vila, Barrio Plaza Egaña, Barrio La Quintrala, Barrio Plaza La Reina, Barrio La Reina Alta, Barrio Ossandón, Barrio Industrial La Reina, Barrio Axel Munthe, Villa La Reina, Villa Municipal, Villa Peña Rey and Villa Militar Cordillera.
Economy
editLa Reina is primarily residential but also has substantial commercial activity along its main avenues. Mallplaza Egaña is one of the commune's principal commercial centers, and other commercial corridors have developed along Avenida Larraín, Príncipe de Gales and surrounding roads.
In 2018, 5,319 enterprises were registered in La Reina. The commune's economic activity included professional services, veterinary services, stone cutting and finishing, and other specialized activities.[12]
Government and politics
editMunicipal government
editLa Reina is administered by a municipal council headed by a directly elected mayor. The mayor is elected for a four-year term. José Manuel Palacios Parra (UDI) has served as mayor since 2016 and began his current term in 2024.[5]
The municipal council for the 2024–2028 term consists of eight members:[13]
Parliamentary representation
editLa Reina belongs to electoral district 11 for the Chamber of Deputies, together with Las Condes, Lo Barnechea, Peñalolén and Vitacura. The district elects six deputies. For the 2026–2030 legislative term, the district is represented by Catalina Del Real Mihovilovic (REP), Claudia Mora Vega (RN), Constanza Hube Portus (UDI), Constanza Schonhaut Soto (FA), Cristián Araya Lerdo de Tejada (REP), and Diego Schalper Sepúlveda (RN).[14]
La Reina belongs to the 7th senatorial constituency of the Metropolitan Region. The constituency is represented in the Senate by Claudia Pascual Grau (PC), Fabiola Campillai Rojas (Independent), Luciano Cruz-Coke Carvallo (Evópoli), Manuel José Ossandón Irarrázabal (RN), and Rojo Edwards Silva (Independent).[15]
Education
editLa Reina has public, subsidized and private schools. Public schools include Colegio Confederación Suiza, Liceo Eugenio María de Hostos, Colegio San Constantino, Escuela Palestina, Colegio Yangtsé, Complejo Educacional La Reina and Escuela Especial de Desarrollo. Private schools include The Grange School, Andrée English School, The British Royal School, Colegio de La Salle, Saint John's Villa Academy and Colegio Santo Domingo.[16]
Transport
editRoads
editThe principal east-west artery is Avenida Larraín, which crosses the commune and continues toward the foothills. A section of the avenue was renamed Avenida Alcalde Fernando Castillo Velasco in honor of the former mayor and architect Fernando Castillo Velasco.[17]
Other major roads include Tobalaba, Avenida Ossa, Avenida Príncipe de Gales, Avenida Francisco Bilbao and Américo Vespucio. The construction and planning of the Vespucio Oriente motorway have been the subject of controversy because of their effects on traffic and urban development.
Public transport
editLa Reina forms part of Red Metropolitana de Movilidad, Santiago's metropolitan public transport system. The commune also operates a free municipal bus service. The current municipal fleet consists of three electric buses operating within the commune on weekdays, with service hours from 07:00 to 20:30.[18]
The municipality introduced three electric buses in 2019 as part of its municipal transport service. The buses were intended particularly to serve older residents and public-school students.[19]
Metro
editLa Reina is served by Line 3 and Line 4 of the Santiago Metro. Line 3 has stations at Plaza Egaña and Fernando Castillo Velasco. Line 4 has stations at Francisco Bilbao, Príncipe de Gales, Simón Bolívar and Plaza Egaña.
Aerodrome
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The Aeródromo Eulogio Sánchez, also known as Tobalaba Aerodrome, is located on Avenida Larraín in La Reina. It is used by private aviation clubs and companies. The Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics lists the aerodrome at Avenida Larraín 7941 in La Reina.[20]
Cycling
editThe commune has developed a network of bicycle routes, including routes along Avenida Larraín, Las Perdices, Príncipe de Gales and Padre Hurtado. The eastern foothill area also provides access to recreational cycling and walking routes.
Culture and recreation
editLa Reina's green spaces and cultural facilities are central to its local identity. The Aldea del Encuentro, located on Avenida Alcalde Fernando Castillo Velasco, includes arts and crafts facilities, urban gardens and cultural activities. Other notable recreational spaces include Plaza Ossandón, Parque Mahuida and Parque Padre Hurtado.[21]
The municipality also operates or supports cultural facilities including the Casona Nemesio Antúnez and Casa de la Cultura de La Reina.
International institutions
editSports
editThe Prince of Wales Country Club, a golf and country club, is located in La Reina. Its development contributed to the construction of residential areas around the club during the 20th century.
Notable residents
edit- Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile.
- Fernando Castillo Velasco, architect and former mayor of La Reina and governor of the Santiago Metropolitan Region.
- Amanda de Negri Quintana, lawyer and former political prisoner under the Pinochet regime.
- Mónica Echeverría Yáñez, writer.
- Fernando González, former professional tennis player.
- Erich Honecker, former leader of East Germany, lived in La Reina from 1993 until his death in 1994.
- Margot Honecker, former East German Minister of Education and wife of Erich Honecker.
- Ricardo Lagos, former President of Chile.
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 "Law 15,169: Creates the commune-subdelegation of La Reina" (in Spanish). Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile. 1 March 1963. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- 1 2 "La Reina" (in Spanish). Ministry of the Environment of Chile. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Reporte Comunal 2026: La Reina" (in Spanish). Library of the National Congress of Chile. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Los primeros habitantes de Chile central" (PDF) (in Spanish). Memoria Chilena, National Library of Chile. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Historia Comunal" (in Spanish). Municipality of La Reina. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Comuna de La Reina cuenta con servicio propio de microbuses" (PDF). La Nación (in Spanish). 5 December 1966. p. 17. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Inventario Público de Cuencas Hidrográficas y Lagos" (in Spanish). General Directorate of Water, Ministry of Public Works of Chile. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Plan Eco-Local GEF Montaña 2030" (PDF) (in Spanish). Ministry of the Environment of Chile. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Plan de Manejo RENAMU Mahuida" (PDF) (in Spanish). Ministry of the Environment of Chile. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Conservación Privada y Comunitaria "Parque Natural Aguas de Ramón"" (in Spanish). Ministry of the Environment of Chile. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Oficina de Turismo" (in Spanish). Municipality of La Reina. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "La Reina" (in Spanish). Adalytics. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Concejales de La Reina" (in Spanish). Municipality of La Reina. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Reporte Distrital 2025: District No. 11" (in Spanish). Library of the National Congress of Chile. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Reporte Distrital 2025: District No. 11" (in Spanish). Library of the National Congress of Chile. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Educación" (in Spanish). Municipality of La Reina. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Presidenta participó en la ceremonia de cambio de nombre a tramo de la Avenida Larraín por Alcalde Fernando Castillo Velasco" (in Spanish). Government of Chile. 19 July 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Buses eléctricos comunales" (in Spanish). Municipality of La Reina. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Cuenta Pública Gestión Municipal 2019" (PDF) (in Spanish). Municipality of La Reina. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Oficinas DGAC" (in Spanish). Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics of Chile. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Oficina de Turismo" (in Spanish). Municipality of La Reina. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
- ↑ "Centro Conjunto para Operaciones de Paz de Chile (CECOPAC)" (in Spanish). International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centres. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ↑ "Migración en La Reina" (in Spanish). Municipality of La Reina. 8 July 2020. Archived from the original on 14 September 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
External links
edit- (in Spanish) Municipality of La Reina
- (in Spanish) La Reina News