Lo Barnechea is a commune situated in the northeastern sector of the Santiago Province within Chile's Santiago Metropolitan Region. It developed around the historic rural town of Lo Barnechea and maintains distinct urban boundaries, bordering Los Andes to the north, Colina to the west, Vitacura and Huechuraba to the southwest, Las Condes to the south, and San José de Maipo to the east. As a third-level administrative division, it operates under a municipal council headed by an alcalde elected every four years.

The area has been inhabited for thousands of years, initially by the Llolleo culture, Bato tradition, Aconcagua culture, Promaucaes, and Incas before Spanish occupation. The modern town was created in the 19th century and resisted conurbation with Greater Santiago until its official establishment as a commune on May 20, 1991, via Decree with Force of Law No. 32-18.992. Prior to this, it had been part of the communal grouping managed by the Municipality of Las Condes since the DFL 1-3260 subdivision in 1981.

The commune features a heterogeneous population with affluent sectors like La Dehesa and Los Trapenses juxtaposed against medium-low-income areas such as Cerro Dieciocho. Architecture ranges from scarce late colonial houses in Pueblo de Lo Barnechea to numerous luxury mansions built in recent decades. Notable sites include the El Arrayán Stream Nature Sanctuary, the Parque de la Chilenidad on Cerro 18, and commercial centers like Portal La Dehesa and Mall Vivo Los Trapenses.

Social life is enriched by local mythology, including stories of mythical trips to the Laguna del Viento shared by historical residents. The area retains memories of its founding families and religious congregations, such as the Trapenses, whose landmarks remain in the neighborhood. The commune exhibits stark social contrasts, with high socioeconomic strata living in close proximity to lower-income sectors, separated by clear physical boundaries within the urban landscape.

According to the 2017 census, Lo Barnechea had a population of 105,833 inhabitants across an area of 1,023.7 km2. The economy is robust, with 10,072 registered companies in 2018 and high Revealed Comparative Advantage in retail and amusement activities. Transport relies heavily on private vehicles due to weak public transit connections, though it serves Transantiago feeder zone C. The semi-arid Mediterranean climate features an average temperature of 14 °C and annual rainfall of 360 mm.