The administrative centre is Melinka, the only port and town in the wider Chonos Archipelago.

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Guaitecas spans an area of 787 km2 (304 sq mi) and has 1,539 inhabitants (913 men and 626 women).

[4] As a commune, Guaitecas is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde (Mayor) who is directly elected every four years.

[6] Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Guaitecas is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by René Alinco Bustos (Ind-PPD), Miguel Ángel Calisto Águila (PDC) and Aracely Leuquén Uribe (RN), as part of the 27th electoral district, which includes the entire Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Region.

The commune is represented in the Senate by Ximena Órdenes (PPD) and David Sandoval (UDI), as part of the 14th senatorial constituency, identical to the 27th district.