Area: 756.95 sq. km
Population: 16 million
Capital: Santiago
Language: Spanish
Currency: Chilean Peso
Average temperature: +10 ° C in winter, in summer +28 ° C

General information on Chile

Chile – one of the most interesting countries in the world. Thousand-year history, the majestic mountains covered with snow, unspoiled beaches and stunning diversity of natural systems – these are the main arguments for choosing this country as an object of the visit. Chile is extremely rich in natural attractions, including Lake Chungará Lake, Volcano Parinacota, Atacama Desert, geysers of El Tatio, Lake Miskanti, the mysterious Easter Island and Patagonia – the southernmost region of the Americas. In the Andes, local ski resorts are located, and only a few miles from this place is sunny Pacific Coast. In many countries of the world famous historical sites Chile – granite “towers” Torres del Paine, archaeological sites and Kopakilya Sapauira.

Climate Chile

The length of the country from north to south for more than 4000 km allows it to have almost all types of climate. In the north, desert climate, the temperature of +12 ° C to +22 ° C, rainfall of 50 mm per year. In the central part – of the Mediterranean type. In the south, humid subtropical, with high rainfall (2500-7000 mm per year, +3 +14 ° C). In the Atacama Desert is the place where, for centuries not a single drop of rain fell. In other parts of the Atacama short winter rains cause the incredible explosion of flowering in the spring – the phenomenon of “blooming desert”. With increasing altitude daytime temperature increases, and the night falls. In the Altiplano region even in the summer night temperatures can be below 0 ° C. Here are sudden and violent summer storms and hail – the so-called. “Bolivian winter”.

Chile Money

The Chilean peso equals 100 centavos. Banknotes in circulation are 20 000, 10 000, 5000, 2000 and 1000 pesos, coins 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 peso. Payment of goods and services U.S. dollars.
1 UAH = 100 CHL

Chile Traditions

As in all Latin American countries, Chile is noted a lot of holidays and festivals. In January noteworthy festival of folklore in Angola, the festival of classical music in Valdivia, a music festival Dzhoranadas de Villarrica in Villarrica, Chile, Festival del Huaso in Ovalle, International Folklore Festival in San Bernardo, the Feast of St. Sebastian in Yumbel. Interest are conducted at the end of the local summer (February) music festival Semanyas de Frutillar (harvest festival) in Tril, February festival Kostumbrista Castro and Jazz Festival in Tonga. No less colorful festival de la Kankin de Vic, International Exhibition of Los Andes, Derby Day and Viña del Mar (March), a traditional religious festival Fiesta de Quasimodo (April), a religious festival Fiesta de La Tirana (12-18 July) celebrations on Independence Day, the Day of St. Francis of Assisi (October), La Fiesta Grande and the Fiesta de la Virgin del Rosario in Andakolo (end of December). International Equestrian Championships held in Viña del Mar in January. The two main races of – Derby (Viña del Mar, January) and El Enasayo (Santiago, October) collects a vast number of participants and spectators.

Chile Kitchen

National cuisine is the abundance of peppers, garlic, potatoes, yams, corn and other vegetables. Rice and potatoes are present in almost every dish. Of the vegetable dishes are most popular stew “saltado, corn porridge and pudding made from corn, meat and other ingredients,” pastel de choklo. Meat products are extremely diverse. On the plains and the coast to serve as a basis for beef, pork and poultry, in the mountainous regions more widely used lamb and pork, as well as the meat of llamas and alpacas. It is worth to try chicken soup with noodles and potatoes “kasuela de Ave” grilled “asado” hotpot “Locri, roasted on hot stones meat or fish” chimes “beef with a fried egg and potato” lomo-a la pobre, a steak with potatoes, onion and egg “bife-a la Pobre”, a variety of steaks (including the famous “Santa Carolina), baked in the liver with grilled sausage” parilyada ” cakes or pancakes “empanadas” or an enlarged version of “kalduda, corn tortillas with meat” churasko and beef tenderloin with spices “maltado.”

Chile Attractions

Arica – the northernmost city in the country, which lies on the outskirts of the desert region near the Peruvian border. An amazing combination of soft warm climate and the nearby “baked” Atacama gives the city a special attraction. By Arica attractions are traditional for all the Spanish colonial cities, the central square Plaza de Armas with the Cathedral built by the Eiffel St. Marcos (1876), the strength of Arica (now the Museum of History and weapons), Fort Alakran, Fish Market, Morro Rock – a place the decisive battle of the Pacific War, as well as colorful valley Azapa Valley and the magnificent beaches Azapa and Henrietta. Nearby are hot springs Mamin, oasis valleys of the Peak and the picturesque town of San Miguel de Azapa with its famous Museum of the mummies (ages XVII to the II millennium BC. E.).

Altiplano

Altiplano highlands – one of the most beautiful regions of Chile. The attention of tourists attracted by the famous biosphere reserve of world significance and Lauck Isluga National Park, one of the most high-altitude lakes of the world – Chungará Lake (located at an altitude of 4514 m) and its surrounding volcanos Sajama (6250 m), Parinacota (6100 m), Chungará Lake (6001 m) and ever smoking Guiatiri (6070 m) on the tops of which lie the ruins of small forts, unique Salt Mountains and the famous salt flats, which lie at altitudes above 4000 m geysers El Tatio, surrounded by volcanoes Mulas-Muertas, Inkahuas and Ojos del Salado, Laguna Lake Verde with amazing turquoise water, ancient petroglyphs and valleys Pintados pour, Chiu-Chiu town with picturesque colonial church and the ruins of pre-Columbian era in Lhasa.

Santiago

Santiago de Chile is located in the homonymous valley, sandwiched between mountain ranges, 100 km from the ocean, and is considered one of the most unusual capitals of the world. The skyscrapers of glass and concrete blend harmoniously with the churches of the XVIII century, fashionable districts of Providencia and Las Condes side by side with slums “kalyampas, and the people with the same pleasure to wear as a modern business suits and traditional tribal dress. The level of life of local people is one of the highest on the continent.

Viña del Mar

The main beach resort of Chile Viña del Mar is known as the “Garden city” because of its beautiful landscapes and many avenues. Horse-drawn wagons ply between colorful past century mansions, luxury beach and river bank. Tourists are attracted ocean beach of pure white sand, numerous parks and museums in the former colonial mansions. There is also a national botanical garden, the first in Chile casinos, the unique “flower clock”, the palace Vergara with a luxurious garden, the castle Wolfe, Municipal Theater, Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Culture.

Puerto Montt

Puerto Montt, founded by German colonists in the mid XIX century. Is considered one of the most interesting cities in Chile. The external appearance of the city is more typical for German architecture: “beam” the house with peaked roofs and weather-vanes, twined with ivy balconies perfectly straight and clean streets. Sights are the Cathedral (1856) mahogany wooden port. Surrounding cities glorified beautiful lake with crystal-clear water, surrounded by deciduous and coniferous forests.

Villarrica National Park

Villarrica National Park – is a strange mixture of relict montane forest and lifeless lava landscapes. Nearby are narrow Karbugua lake, hot springs and waterfalls Eagle’s Nest.

Chiloé

Chiloé – one of the biggest and most exciting islands in the fjord south of the country. Isla Grande de Chiloe, as it is called Chileans, is a picturesque hilly island, overgrown with forests and grasses. Local fishing town of Ancud and Castro are very picturesque: the silhouettes of houses forever, “blurred” the fog, but on the rare sunny days, the picture is altogether unusual – the contours of the town and clearly visible from this continental eruptions recorded in the lead-blue waters of the ocean. About 150 wooden churches “kapilyas” (12 of them included in the UNESCO World Heritage List) indicate the location of the tiny local villages. Chiloé National Park protects extensive tracts of relict conifers and evergreen forests, covering local and gentle hills, and a long coastline. To the south of the island can visit the largest private reserve of the planet – Pumalin Park, considered one of the best protected areas of the country.

Pucón

City of Punta Arenas picturesquely stretched on the bank of the Straits of Magellan. Before the opening of the Panama Canal, it was one of the largest ports of America. Today, traces of former greatness preserved in the form of luxury mansions and palaces. Of great interest is the Regional Museum of Local Lore, the business district in the center of the city and the hill of La Cruz, from the top of a breathtaking panorama of the city, the Strait and the northern part of Tierra del Fuego. Not far from the city you can see the famous large waterfall, the penguin colony at Otway and Milodon cave – a place finds the remains of prehistoric animals.

Tierra

The archipelago of Tierra del Fuego (Thiero del Fuego) was opened Magellan in 1520, but only at the end of XIX century began the colonization of this severe region. Settlers from the British Isles and the Balkans, built the first ranch, and since it is the largest center of sheep farming in Chile. Porbenir ( “fate”) – the biggest city of the archipelago, and probably the most isolated settlement in the world. Quiet town live sheep and has not changed since the beginning of last century. Worth a visit National History Museum and stroll along the grassy shores of Beagle Channel, from the shores overlooking the island of Navarino and Antarctic waters.

Easter Island

Easter Island lies in the Pacific, nearly 3800 km to the west of the Chilean coast. He opened Dutchman Jacob Roggevenom at Easter 1722. Island is a towering above the ocean top of the seamount, with the three volcanic craters. The highest point is Mt Maung-Terevaka (500 m). One of the most remote and mysterious islands of the planet, it has a rich and tragic history. Here in fact there are more people of Oceania than Chileans, although the presence of Pacific Islanders in this isolated part of the world – one of the biggest mysteries on Earth. Enigma technology by which the descendants of Indian and Polynesian peoples have created hundreds of colossal statues (moai) from solid volcanic basalt and tuff, has not yet been solved.

Archipelago Juan Fernandez

Archipelago of Juan Fernandez is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean 650 km off the west coast and consists of the islands of Robinson Crusoe, Santa Clara and Alexander Selkirk. The territory of the archipelago, made famous by the novel by Daniel Defoe “Robinson Crusoe” is a national park protects unique island flora. Grow here are endemic, like a giant fern, myrtle, paradise tree, a giant daisy and others. In addition, tourists show fort of Santa Barbara (1749), the cave of Robinson Crusoe, the Gulf of Baja, Cumberland, cliffs of Pointe-San Carlos and Mirador cliff. The only sandy beach of the island Plava Arenal is extremely popular as a unique seaside resort.

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