The Cementerio General de Chile in Santiago de Chile was established in 1820 after Chile's independence when Bernardo O'Higgins inaugurated the Alameda de las Delicias along the old course of the Mapocho River. O'Higgins set aside more than 85 hectares of land for the foundation of what became a magnificent grounds filled with ornate mausoleums surrounded by palm and leaf trees set amidst lush gardens and numerous sculptures.

This cemetery is the final resting place for all but one of the deceased Presidents of Chile, the exception being Gabriel González Videla. One of the most visited memorials is that of former President Salvador Allende who had been ignominiously buried in the Santa Ines cemetery at Viña del Mar following his assassination in the 1973 coup d'état. With the democratic changes that began in the 1990s, Allende was exhumed and his remains were transported in a solemn procession through the streets of Santiago to a place of honor in the Cementerio General de Chile. The cemetery also has a memorial to the people that were 'disappeared' during the regime of Augusto Pinochet that ousted President Allende.

Some of the notables interred here include:

• Salvador Allende (1908-1973), President of Chile
• Arturo Alessandri (1868-1950), President of Chile
• Víctor Jara (1932-1973), poet, folk singer
• Orlando Letelier (1932-1976), statesman
• Eduardo Frei Montalva (1911-1982), President of Chile
• Violeta Parra (1917-1967), folk singer

See also: List of famous cemeteries

For an excellent external photo collection of this cemetery: [1] (http://www.astro.puc.cl/~phall/FOTOS/LATE2002/cg.html)