Editing Santiago (section)

===The centennial Santiago===
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2024}}[[File:Iglesia de la Compañia - Chile.JPG|thumb|A Jesuit Church in Santiago in 1857, by Charles Barbant and Son for ''[[Le Monde Illustré]]''.]]

As the new century began, Santiago underwent various changes due to the rapid growth of industry. Valparaíso, which had previously been the economic center of the country, gradually lost its prominence to the capital. By 1895, 75% of the national manufacturing industry was located in Santiago, while only 28% was in Valparaíso. By 1910, major banks and shops had established themselves in the central streets of Santiago, further diminishing the role of Valparaíso.

The enactment of the Autonomous Municipalities Act empowered municipalities to establish various administrative divisions within the Santiago department, with the goal of enhancing local governance. In 1891, the municipalities of [[Maipú, Chile|Maipú]], [[Ñuñoa]], [[Renca]], [[Lampa, Chile|Lampa]], and [[Colina, Chile|Colina]] were created, followed by [[Providencia, Chile|Providencia]] and [[Pudahuel|Barrancas]] in 1897, and [[Las Condes]] in 1901. The La Victoria ''departmento'' was also divided, leading to the creation of Lo Cañas in 1891, which was then further split into [[La Granja, Chile|La Granja]] and [[Puente Alto]] in 1892, followed by [[La Florida, Chile|La Florida]] in 1899, and [[La Cisterna]] in 1925.

The [[San Cristóbal Hill|San Cristobal Hill]] underwent a prolonged process of development during this period. In 1903, an [[astronomical observatory]] was established on the hill, and the following year, construction began on a {{Convert|14|m|adj=on|abbr=on|sp=us}} statue of the [[Virgin Mary]]. Today, the statue is visible from various points in the city. However, the shrine was not completed until several decades later.

The 1910 Chile Centennial celebrations marked the beginning of several urban development projects. The railway network was expanded, connecting the city and its growing suburbs with a new ring and route to [[Cajón del Maipo]]. A new railway station was also built in the north of the city: the [[Estación Mapocho|Mapocho Station]]. The [[Parque Forestal]] was established on the southern side of the Mapocho river, and new buildings such as the [[Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts|Museum of Fine Arts]], the [[Internado Nacional Barros Arana|Barros Arana public boarding school]], and the [[Biblioteca Nacional de Chile|National Library]] were opened. In addition, a sewer system was installed, serving approximately 85% of the city's population.