Pudahuel

Pudahuel (, Mapudungun "place of pools/water" or "place where seagulls gather") is a commune of Chile located in Santiago Province, Santiago Metropolitan Region. Santiago's international airport Arturo Merino Benítez is located there.

Demographics
According to the 2017 census of the National Statistics Institute, Pudahuel spans an area of 197.4 sqkm and has 230.293 inhabitants (112,412 men and 117,881 women). The population grew by 18% (34,713 persons) between the 2002 and 2017 census.

Stats

 * Area: 197.4 km²
 * Population: 256,607 (2021 projection)
 * Average annual household income: US$19,766 (PPP, 2006)
 * Population below poverty line: 7.1% (2006)
 * Regional quality of life index: 71.61, mid-low, 39 out of 52 (2005)
 * Human Development Index: 0.735, 59 out of 341 (2003)

Administration
As a commune, Pudahuel is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde (Mayor) who is directly elected every four years.

The 2021–2024 mayor is Ítalo Bravo Lizana (Equality Party). The communal council has the following members:


 * Cinthya Muñoz Escanilla (PI)
 * Sandy Muñoz Poblete (PI)
 * Javiera Soto Fuentes (Ind./PH)
 * Esteban Sepúlveda Reyes (PCCh)
 * Carolina Seguel Hidalgo (PCCh)
 * José Escobar Rodríguez (RD)
 * Aldea Magaña Leiva (PS)
 * Cristian Véliz Solís (Ind./PPD)
 * Patricio Cisternas Monreal (PDC)
 * Gisela Vila Ruz (UDI)

Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Pudahuel is part of electoral district No. 8 together with the commune of Colina, Lampa, Pudahuel, Maipú, Til Til, Cerrillos and Estación Central. On the other hand, the commune belongs to the VII Senatorial District that represents the entire Metropolitan Region of Santiago.