The Chilean government began the Santiago Forest project in April, a 180-hectare area in the nation's capital that will be home to native flora and fauna and serve as a recreation and environmental education area. The forest is located in the Metropolitan Park, 720 hectares of which cover San Cristóbal hill and its surroundings. It is the largest natural space in this city of six million people.

Santiago has three square meters of green area per inhabitant. The forest will increase that ratio to 4.5 square meters per person, according to official figures.