Regions of Chile: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

There are thirteen Regions of Chile, each of which is headed by an intendente. Every region is further divided into provinces with a Gobernador provincial. Finally each province is divided into various Comunas each with its own mayor. Intendentes and gobernadores are appointed by the president, mayors are elected by popular vote.

Each region is designated by a name and a Roman numeral. Numbers are assigned from north to south. In general the Roman numeral is used, rather than the name. The only exception is the region where Santiago is situated, which is designated RM, that stands for Región Metropolitana, (Spanish: Metropolitan Region).

• I: Región de Tarapacá
• II: Región de Antofagasta
• III: Región de Atacama
• IV: Región de Coquimbo
• V: Región de Valparaíso
• RM: Región Metropolitana (Santiago)
• VI: Región del Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins
• VII: Región del Maule
• VIII: Región del Biobío
• IX: Región de la Araucanía
• X: Región de los Lagos
• XI: Región de Aisén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo
• XII: Región de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena