History of Chile him to Spain. Thereafter, Pinochet returned to Chile in March 2000. Upon descending the plane on his wheelchair, he stood up and saluted the cheering crowd of supporters, including an army band playing his favorite military march tunes, which was awaiting him at the airport in Santiago. President Ricardo Lagos later commented that the retired general's televised arrival had damaged the image of Chile, while thousands demonstrated against him. The "Concertación" coalition has continued to dominate Chilean politics for last two decades. In January 2006 Chileans elected their first woman president, Michelle Bachelet, of the Socialist Party. She was sworn
Provinces of Chile (since 1929) The following table gives each province, its capital, surface area and 2002 population according to the National Statistics Institute. Provinces of Chile A province is the second largest administrative division in Chile with 54 in total. The largest administrative division in Chile is that of a region with 16 in total. Each provincial government ("gobernación provincial") is headed by a governor ("gobernador") appointed by the president. The governor exercises their powers in accordance with instructions from the regional intendant ("intendente"). The governor is advised by the Provincial Economic and Social Council ("Consejo Económico y Social Provincial" or CESPRO).