Situated south of Peru and west of Bolivia and Argentina, Chile fills a narrow 2,880-mi (4,506 km) strip between the Andes and the Pacific. One-third of Chile is covered by the towering ranges of the Andes. In the north is the driest place on Earth, the Atacama Desert, and in the center is a 700-mile-long (1,127 km) thickly populated valley with most of Chile's arable land. At the southern tip of Chile's mainland is Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in the world, and beyond that lies the Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego, an island divided between Chile and Argentina. The southernmost point of South America is Cape Horn, a 1,390-foot (424 m) rock on Horn Island in the Wollaston group, which belongs to Chile. Chile also claims sovereignty over 482,628 sq mi (1,250,000 sq km) of Antarctic territory; the Juan Fernández Islands, about 400 mi (644 km) west of the mainland; and Easter Island, about 2,000 mi (3,219 km) west.
Climate and Weather
Chile enjoys a Mediterranean, particularly in the capital city, Santiago. The Atacama Desert found on Chile's north naturally has dry and arid conditions. As one goes farther south of Chile, climate gets much colder. Note that Chile's seasons are reversed to that of North American cities as Chile lies below the equator.
Winter is during the months of June - August while summer is December - March. Summers in Santiago are usually hot and muggy, as influenced by the tepid ocean waters. Average summer temperatures are 7 to 29 degrees Celsius.
Spring and autumn are generally very efficient. Temperatures range from 3 to 23 degrees F. Winters are generally smoggy and cold although there are a lot of things to keep people occupied.
Population
Chile's 2002 census reported a population of 15,116,435. Its growth has been declining since 1990, due to a decreasing birth rate The bulk of the Chilean population is largely of an homogeneous mestizo stock, the product of miscegenation between colonial Spanish immigrants and Amerindian females (including the Atacameños, Diaguitas, Picunches, Araucanians or Mapuches, Huilliches, Pehuenches, and Cuncos). Chile's ethnic structure can be classified as 30% white, 5% Native American and 65% predominantly white mestizos. Whites are mostly Spanish in origin (mainly Castilians, Andalusians and Basques), and to a much lesser degree from Chile's various waves of immigrants (Italians, Germans, Israelis, Yugoslavians, Arabs, etc.).
Transportation
Chile has several airports but any international traveller arriving in the country by air will fly into Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport. Domestic flights offer a quick and easy way to get from one end of Chile to the other, although it still takes over four hours to go from Santiago to Punta Arenas. The big majority of railways in this country is abandoned or used only for freight transport. From Estacion Central (Main Railway Station) in Santiago you can catch only few passenger trains, and only to the South. Travelling by bus is the most popular way to get around Chile and there are many companies to handle the demand. The buses are clean and efficient and by far the best way to travel relatively short distances. Many taxis are available at any time and are distinguished as black sedans with yellow tops. All of them have their registration number visible and a taximeter.
Top Attractions
1. Plaza de Armas.
2. Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian Art.
3. Mercado Central.
4. Cerro San Cristóbal.
5. Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos.
6. El Tatio Geysers.
7. La Boca.
8. Parque Nacional Chiloé.
9. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine.
10. Castro.
Best Travel Time
In general, the best time to tour Chile is between November and March. However, it also depends on where you would like to go. For example, during the ski season, August and September are the best months to tour the central and southern regions. Visiting the Atacama Desert should be between the months of November and May, considering possible occasional rain from November until February, because of the Bolivian winter.
Food and Drink
National specialties:
• Empanada (combination of meat, chicken or fish, with onions, eggs, raisins and olives inside a flour pastry).
• Fish and seafood, including clams, sole, sea bass and oysters, are very good, particularly in fishing villages on the coast.
• Cazuela de ave (soup with rice, vegetables, chicken and herbs).
• Bife a lo pobre (steak with french fries, onions and eggs).
• Parrillada (selection of meat grilled over hot coals, often including delicacies such as intestines, udders and blood sausages).
National drinks:
• Chile is famous for its wine.
• Pisco (a powerful liqueur distilled from grapes after wine pressing).
• Grapes are also used to make the sweet brown chicha as well as aguardiente (similar to brandy).
• Chilean beer brands are Kuntsman, Crystal and Escudo.
Local Products/Shopping
Special purchases include textiles such as colorful handwoven ponchos, vicuna rugs, alpaca jumpers and copper work. Chilean stones such as lapis lazuli, jade, amethyst, agate and onyx are all good buys. Camping and other outdoor equipment can be bought in Santiago as well as in areas where the activity is practiced.
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1. Plaza de Armas.
In general, the best time to tour Chile is between November and March. However, it also depends on where you would like to go. For example, during the ski season, August and September are the best months to tour the central and southern regions. Visiting the Atacama Desert should be between the months of November and May, considering possible occasional rain from November until February, because of the Bolivian winter.