Located in the country's central coast, it serves as a popular summer resort for the population of Santiago and forms part of the Coast of Poets, a cultural space named after four Chilean poets: Pablo Neruda, Vicente Huidobro, Violeta Parra and Nicanor Parra.

The El Molle culture was established in Chile around 300 AD among the Transverse Valleys of the rivers Copiapó and Choapa, with large migrations to the country from Brazil, from the tropical jungles of the Chaco, Argentine pampas, and from Peru.

The ceramics of these cultures are commonly called the Aconcagua Salmon Type, for their orange colour with decorative designs in black paint, found in the Late Agroalfarero ("agro-potter") period of the region, between 800 and 1470, principally in pieces known as pucos, or bowls.

The route from Limache to Las Dichas passed through Lo Orozco, continuing to Portezuelo de Ibacache and finishing at Talagante, where other Mitimae existed.

In 1430, Túpac Inca Yupanqui initiated a great military campaign that culminated in the establishment of a border at the Maule river.

His mandate allowed him to establish the social, political and economic system characteristic of the Inca Empire, to distribute land and community property, and initiate public works for the common good, like roads, granaries and housing.

At the end of the colonial era, many foreign ships already engaged in illegal trade on the Chilean coast, including English, Dutch, French and American pirates.

The commune of El Quisco was incorporated on August 30, 1956, under the presidency of Carlos Ibáñez del Campo under Statutory order Nº 12110.

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, El Quisco spans an area of 50.7 km2 (20 sq mi) and has 9,467 inhabitants (4,815 men and 4,652 women).

[2] As a commune, El Quisco is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years.

[1] Within the electoral divisions of Chile, El Quisco is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by María José Hoffmann (UDI) and Víctor Torres (PDC) as part of the 15th electoral district, together with San Antonio, Santo Domingo, Cartagena, El Tabo, Algarrobo and Casablanca.

El Quisco has four sectors that are both geographically and culturally distinct: The area is a favourite tourist destination in central Chile.