Valparaíso is a major city, commune, seaport and naval base facility in Valparaíso Region, Chile. Greater Valparaíso is the second-largest p…Valparaíso is a major city, commune, seaport and naval base facility in Valparaíso Region, Chile. Greater Valparaíso is the second-largest populace in the country, as well as the second-largest city in the Greater Valparaíso metro area. Valparaíso was named originally for Valparaíso de Arriba, in Castile-La Mancha, Spain. It is located about 120 km northwest of Santiago, by road, and is one of the Pacific Ocean's most important seaports. Valparaíso is the capital of Chile's second most-populated administrative region and has been the Chilean Navy headquarters since 1817, as well as being the seat of the Chilean National Congress.