Recoleta, Chile
Recoleta is a commune of Chile located in the north of Santiago Province. It belongs to the Santiago Metropolitan Region which is the capital and seat of the executive branch. It is south of Huechuraba, east of Independencia and Conchalí, west of Providencia and Vitacura, and north of Santiago. The Mapocho River and the San Cristóbal Hill form the natural boundary on the south and east sides, respectively, of Recoleta. Demographics. According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Recoleta spans an area of and has 148,220 inhabitants (72,314 men and 75,906 women), and the commune  is an entirely urban area. The population fell by 10% (16547 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses. It had a 2006 projected population of 136,982. Parks and open space. The territory of Recoleta includes the northwest portion of Santiago Metropolitan Park, the Cerro Blanco and the Santiago General Cemetery. Culture. The bohemian Barrio Bellavista straddles the border between Recoleta and Providencia. Barrio Patronato is a commercial neighbourhood of Recoleta. The commune is the location of La Vega Central Market. Historical churches are located in Recoleta, including the Iglesia de la Recoleta Franciscana and the Iglesia de la Recoleta Dominica . Administration. As a commune, Recoleta is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde that is directly elected every four years. The 2012-2016 and re-elected for 2016-2020 alcalde is Daniel Jadue Jadue (PC). The communal council has the following members: Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Recoleta is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Patricio Hales (PPD) and Claudia Nogueira (UDI) as part of the 19th electoral district, (together with Independencia). 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).