Chile has 16 regions, which are the country's primary administrative divisions. Although people often search for the "states" of Chile, the correct term is regiones (regions). These 16 regions stretch the length of the country, from the Atacama Desert in the far north to the windswept fjords of Patagonia in the south, each with its own regional government and capital city.
Why Regions, Not States
Chile is a unitary republic, not a federation, so it does not have semi-autonomous "states" the way countries like the United States, Brazil, or Mexico do. Instead, power flows from the central government in Santiago down to the regions. Each region (región) is led by an elected regional governor, while a presidentially appointed delegate handles certain national-government functions. The 16 regions are further subdivided into 56 provinces, which in turn are divided into 346 municipalities (comunas), the smallest and most local level of government.
The Complete List of All 16 Regions
Chile's regions are conventionally numbered from north to south, with the Santiago Metropolitan Region forming a distinct unit in the center. Here is the full list:
- Arica y Parinacota — the northernmost region, bordering Peru
- Tarapacá — arid desert and the city of Iquique
- Antofagasta — home to vast copper mines and the Atacama Desert
- Atacama — mining and the famous flowering desert
- Coquimbo — known for the Elqui Valley and clear night skies
- Valparaíso — Chile's principal port and a UNESCO World Heritage city
- Santiago Metropolitan — the capital region and population center
- O'Higgins — wine country, named for liberator Bernardo O'Higgins
- Maule — agriculture and vineyards
- Ñuble — the newest region, created in 2018
- Biobío — industry and the city of Concepción
- Araucanía — heartland of the indigenous Mapuche people
- Los Ríos — lakes, rivers, and the city of Valdivia
- Los Lagos — the Lake District and Chiloé Island
- Aysén — remote Patagonian wilderness
- Magallanes — the far south, including the Strait of Magellan and Chilean Antarctica
The Largest and Most Populated Regions
The differences between Chile's regions are enormous. Magallanes in the deep south is by far the largest by area, covering more than 1.3 million km² when its Antarctic territorial claim is included, yet it is one of the most sparsely populated. By contrast, the Santiago Metropolitan Region is the smallest by area among the central regions but holds roughly 40 percent of Chile's entire population of around 19 million people. This concentration around the capital is one of the most pronounced in Latin America, with Greater Santiago alone home to more than seven million residents. The northern desert regions like Antofagasta are economically vital thanks to copper, while the southern regions are dominated by forestry, fishing, and tourism.
How the System Has Changed
Chile's regional structure is not static. For decades the country had 13 regions, established under the military government in the 1970s and identified largely by Roman numerals (Region I through Region XII, plus the Metropolitan Region). The system expanded to 15 in 2007 when Arica y Parinacota and Los Ríos were carved out of existing regions. The 16th region, Ñuble, was officially created in 2018, separated from the Biobío Region. Many region names also reflect Chile's deep history and geography, drawing on indigenous Mapuche words (Araucanía, Biobío), colonial figures (O'Higgins), and natural features (Los Lagos, "the Lakes"; Los Ríos, "the Rivers"). If you want to explore the country in more depth, see our chile country guide.
A Country of Extremes
The reason Chile's regions feel so varied is the country's extraordinary shape. Chile stretches over 4,300 km from north to south but averages only about 177 km wide, making it one of the longest and narrowest countries on Earth. This ribbon of land spans an immense range of climates: the hyper-arid Atacama Desert in the north, where rain can be absent for years, the Mediterranean valleys of the center, the temperate rainforests of the Lake District, and the glacial, sub-Antarctic landscapes of Patagonia. Each region captures a slice of this diversity, which is part of why Chileans identify strongly with their home region's distinct culture, cuisine, and scenery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chile have states or regions?
Chile has regions, not states. As a unitary country rather than a federation, its 16 first-level divisions are called regiones, each governed by an elected regional governor under the central national government.
What is the capital region of Chile?
The Santiago Metropolitan Region is the capital region. It contains Santiago, the national capital, and holds close to 40 percent of Chile's total population despite being small in land area.
What is the newest region in Chile?
Ñuble is the newest region, created in 2018 when it was split off from the Biobío Region. Its capital is the city of Chillán.
How are Chile's regions further divided?
Each of the 16 regions is divided into provinces, of which there are 56 in total. Provinces are then split into municipalities, or comunas, numbering 346 nationwide, which handle the most local services.
