Chile is located on the western edge of South America and has a diverse landscape ranging from the Atacama Desert in the north to temperate rainforests in the south. The country has a population of over 18 million people, with the majority being Roman Catholic. Chileans are known for their welcoming nature and traditions like cueca dancing, empanada pastries, and kissing cheeks as a greeting. The capital and largest city is Santiago, which offers many cultural attractions within a short distance.

2. FAMOUS FOR Wine Diverse Scenery Seafood Moai

3. 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.

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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

24. Easter Island WHERE TO GO

25. Valle de la Luna (North) WHERE TO GO

26. Torres del Paine (South) WHERE TO GO

27. Valparaiso WHERE TO GO

28. Viña del Mar WHERE TO GO

29. Santiago WHERE TO GO

30. 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

31. Traditional dance: TRADITIONS Cueca

32. Traditional food: TRADITIONS Empanada (It is a stuffed bread or pastry. The filling varies from meat to seafood but the most common one is “Empanada de Pino”, which is basically a filling of beef, onions, shortening, raisins, black olives, and hard boiled eggs)

33. 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)

34. Kiss in the cheek to say hello and goodbye CUSTOMS Between men there is a handshake but between women and between men and women the custom is to give a kiss in the cheek (It is more like cheek to cheek)

35. Don ’t expect a Chilean to be on time! CUSTOMS

36. Chileans are very welcoming and caring CUSTOMS Sometimes people that are not used to it may feel all the hugging and caring too overwhelming

37. 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