Chile in Focus

Travel Facts

Official name: Republic of Chile
Languages: The official language is Spanish. English is understood in some cities.
Currency: peso (CLP).
Time zone: Santiago is -4 GMT
Principal airlines: Lan-Chile (LA), Ladeco (Linea Aerea del Cobre) (UC).
Gateways: The main point of entry is Arturo Merino Benitez airport in Santiago (SCL).
Transportation: Buses and minibuses (liebres) are available in the capital. Most taxicabs are metered. Express bus service serves the Pan American Highway, which links the major population centers. Coastal towns can also be reached by sea.
Accommodation: Chile has a varied selection of accommodations, ranging from luxury hotels to youth hostels. Room rates tend to be lower than in other developed South American countries.
Climate: The north part of the country is dry and hot, whereas the central Chile has a temperate climate. The southern region is marked by year-round rainfall. The hottest months are December through February. The most pleasant weather occurs from May through August.

Chile in Focus

Named by the Araucanian natives as "the place where the land ends," Chile is 4,200 km. (2,600 mi.) long and only 400 km. (250 mi.) wide. At its narrowest point, Chile is only 90 km. (56 mi.) wide. The Andes Mountain range runs the entire length of the country and occupies more than half the total area. Easter Island lies 3,200 km. (2,000 mi.) offshore. The capital, Santiago, is the largest city, with nearly 4.4 million residents. Other population cities are Concepcion, Vina del Mar, Valparaiso, and Talcahuano.

The lands of present-day Chile were inhabited originally by a people called the Araucanians and by other natives under the control of the Incan empire. A Spanish fortune hunter, Pedro de Valdiva, arrived in the area in 1541. During the colonial period that followed, Chile was ruled by Peru. Chile gained independence in 1881 after a rebellion that lasted eight years.

Chile is a land of contrasts, with both arid and tropical landscapes. The north part of the country is one of the driest areas on earth, whereas the windswept south is cold and stormy. The middle region is a fertile valley known as the Switzerland of South America. A forest region is found south of Puerto Montt, with scenic lakes and rivers. Chilean cowboys, called huasos, perform at rodeos during the peak tourist season from September to March.

Winter sports are centered in Farellones and Lagunillas, with accom-modations ranging from luxury hotels to refugios (private lodges). Water sports are popular along the coast, especially in the resorts areas of Zapallar and Algabarro, where facilities for scuba diving, sailing, and deep-sea fishing are available.

In Santiago, weekly symphony concerts and occasional ballet and opera performances are held. The capital also has many theaters, casinos, and nightclubs. The centerpiece of the city is the Plaza de Armas, the site of the Santiago Cathderal, where colonial artifacts are displayed. The Modern Art Museum and National History Museum, which has several mummified Chilean natives, are located in Quinta Park. A castle and gardens can be explored on Santa Lucia Hill, where Santiago was founded.

Valparaiso, which was founded in 1536, is the country's largest seaport. Colonial architecture is evident in the town cathedral, parks, theaters, and historic buildings. A rustic resort area stretches from La Serena to San Antonio. Vina del Mar is an attractive city of flowers and trees, and the site of the president's summer palace, Cerro Castillo.