Chile

FAMOUS FOR

Wine

Diverse Scenery

Seafood

Moai

Some legends say that God created the whole world and its wonders and once he had finished he realized he still had many leftovers. He had parts of rivers and valleys, of oceans and lakes, of glaciers and deserts, of mountains and forests, and of meadows and hills. Rather than let such beauty go to waste, God put them all together and cast them to the most remote corner of the world. This is how Chile is supposed to have been born.

LOCATION

Chile has territory in 3 continents: South America, Antartica, and Oceania

But it is considered a South American country

Capital: Santiago

Largest Cities: Santiago, Valparaiso, Concepcion

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

Chile is a long and narrow coastal strip that stretches over 2,880 miles

North to South but only 265 miles at its widest point from West to East. In

addition, most of Chile’s territory limits with the pacific ocean to the West

and with the Andes Mountains to the East. As a result, there is a

remarkable variety of landscapes and climates.

The climate goes from the driest desert in the world in the North, through

a Mediterranian climate (Like California) in the Center, to a rainy

Temperate climate in the South.

The capital city of Santiago is located in the center. Therefore, it enjoys a

Mediterranean climate where most of the rain falls during the winter.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Ethnic Structure:

Chile is a multiethnic society. However, according to the 2002 Census, there is only 4.6% indigenous and less than 1% Afro-Chileans.

Religion:- Roman Catholic: 70%- Protestants: 15.1%- Atheists and Agnostics: 8%- Other: 6.9%

Language:

- Spanish: Official and main language- English: Has become mandatory for students 5th grade and above but it still has a low level compared to other countries in the world- German: Spoken as a second language in certain places in the South- Indigenous: Close to extinction

Easter Island

WHERE TO GO

Valle de la Luna (North)

WHERE TO GO

Torres del Paine (South)

WHERE TO GO

Valparaiso

WHERE TO GO

Viña del Mar

WHERE TO GO

Santiago

WHERE TO GO

Santiago is the capital city of Chile. As a result, most of Chile’s activities occur here.However, the best thing about Santiago is that within 45 minutes you have a huge range of places to visit and activities to do…

Santiago

WHERE TO GO

Traditional dance:

TRADITIONS

Cueca

Traditional food:

TRADITIONS

Empanada

(It is a stuffed bread or pastry. The filling varies from meat to seafoodbut the most common one is “Empanada de Pino”, which is basically a

filling of beef, onions, shortening, raisins, black olives, and hard boiled eggs)

Traditional food:

TRADITIONS

Pastel de Choclo(It is a dish made of fresh ground corn with basil. It is commonly mixed with

beef, chicken, black olives, onions, and hard boiled eggs)

Kiss in the cheek to say hello and goodbye

CUSTOMS

Between men there is a handshake but between women and between men and womenthe custom is to give a kiss in the cheek (It is more like cheek to cheek)

Don’t expect a Chilean to be on time!

CUSTOMS

Chileans are very welcoming and caring

CUSTOMS

Sometimes people that are not used to it may feel all the hugging and caring too overwhelming

Interesting Facts

• Chile has absolutely nothing to do with chili. Chili is either a mexican food

or the chili pepper but its ethymology comes from the Nahuatl language,

which is Aztecan. In fact, in Chile it is known as “Aji”

• Contrary to many beliefs, despite being in the corner of the world, Chile is

neither indigenous nor primitive. In fact, it is one of the leading economies

of South America