San José de Maipo (Chile)

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San José de Maipo is a Chilean commune, located in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago (R.M.S.), Cordillera Province 48 kilometers from the city of Santiago, bordered on the east by the Argentine Republic, across the the Andes. According to the population census of 2002, it has 13,376 inhabitants, with a population density of 0,03 inhabitants per hectare, concentrated mainly (70%) in the urban areas. Among the present economic activities stand out nonmetallic mining, including stone quarries, production of almonds and stone fruits, and crafts based on laja rock and alabaster, among others. Regional tourism is very important in this zone; there are a great number of food and lodging establishments. In 2001 the commune was declared Zona de Interés Turístico Nacional (ZOIT), by the National Service of Tourism (SERNATUR).