Chile

Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the southwestern part of South America occupying a long and narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Countries that border Chile are Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. Chile has territorial claims in Antarctica.

History

The area where Chile now is located was populated by indigenous people possibly 10,000 years ago.

In 1520, the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, sighted what is now known as the Strait of Magellan in southern Chile. Diego de Almagro and his band of Spanish conquistadors came from Peru in 1535 seeking gold.

Bernardo O'Higgins, a revered figure in Chilean history, crossed the Andes mountains in 1818, defeated Spanish royalist and declared independence.

Sentinal events in Chilean history include the War of the Pacific in 1881, which resulted in expansion of national territory in the north as well as the overthrow of leftist President Salvador Allende on September 11, 1973.

Geography

Chile stretches laterally from Peru to Cape Horn. Due to Chile’s large land mass it has a variety of climates and topography. The entire country borders the sea on its west and the mountains on the east. Chile has the world’s driest desert, Atacama, in its northern hemisphere. In central Chile there are valleys for miles that are filled with vineyards as well as mountain parks and beaches. To the south there are forests, lakes and volcanoes that coexist by rivers and farmland.

Chile is divided into 15 regions, each of which is headed by an intendant appointed by the President. Every region is further divided into provinces. Chile’s capital is Santiago and is an important business center for the country.

Religion

The people of Chile are predominately Catholic but there are other religions practiced in the country.

Tourism

Chile has many activities to offer such as: riding a horse around a volcano, visiting the desert, surfing waves, touring wineries, or staying at a relaxing spa for the day.