The initiative was launched by Roberto Sahr, a member of the Punta Arenas City Council, following a recent visit to Chile by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic. The decision to name a city district after Split was signed by Mayor Juan Morano.
Punta Arenas has a sizeable Croatian community. The district in question is a residential area, and with time its streets will be named after prominent members of the Croatian emigrant community in Chile.