It lies between the Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the Capitán Prat Province in the Aysén Region.

[3] As a commune, Tortel 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][2] Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Tortel is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Iván Fuentes Castillo (Nueva Mayoría) and David Sandoval (UDI) as part of the 59th electoral district, which includes the entire Aisén Region.

The commune is represented in the Senate by Antonio Horvath Kiss (RN) and Patricio Walker Prieto (PDC) as part of the 18th senatorial constituency (Aisén Region).

Tortel commune is one of the most remote in southern Chile and its unspoiled landscape is one of its principal attractions.