Among the secular buildings the more noteworthy are the capi tol with its rows of massive columns and its beautiful gardens; the Moneda, or executive residence, which contains the offices of the cabinet ministers also ; the municipal palace ; the courts, or palace of justice; the post office and telegraph department ; the exposition palace in the Quinta Normal which houses the national museum; the University of Chile, dating from 1842; the national library with over I oo,000 volumes; the School of Arts and Trades (Lyceo de Artes y Oficios) ; the national conservatory of music ; the medical school; the astronomical observatory; the national in stitute; the mint; and a municipal theatre. There are also a mili tary school, a school of agriculture, mining school, normal schools and a number of charitable institutions. The old Universidad de San Felipe, founded in 1747, was closed in 1839, and was suc ceeded three years later by the present national university. Facing the capitol, which includes the two halls of Congress, is a small park and commemorative shaft, marking the spot where stood the Jesuits' church, burned down on the night of Dec. 8, 1868, and
with it "2,000 victims, more or less," chiefly women.
Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia, who was engaged in the conquest of Chile, and it received the title of San tiago del Nuevo Estremo. It has suffered from earthquakes and from political disorder. After the defeat of the royalists at Chacabuco (Feb. 12, 1817), it was occupied by the revolutionary forces under Gen. Jose de San Martin. Though the scene of many revolutionary outbreaks, it has never been subjected to a regular siege. The fifth international conference of American States was held in Santiago March 25 to May 3, 1923.
The province of Santiago, bounded N. by Aconcagua, E. by Argentina, S. by O'Higgins and Colchagua and W. by the Pacific, has an area, inclusive of the department of Maipo, annexed in 1928, of 6,53o sq.m. and a population (193o) of 967,603. It forms part of the "Valle of Chile," celebrated for its fertility and fine climate.