Chile
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Capital Santiago (de Chile)
Area 756,626 sq km (292,058 sq miles)
Population 17 million (2008 estimate)
Language Spanish (official), Mapudungu (the language of teh Mapuche), Rapanui (Easter Island) and Aymara.
Time Mainland and Juan Fernández Islands: GMT ‑4 (GMT ‑3 from second Sunday in October to second Saturday in March).
Easter Island: GMT ‑6 (GMT ‑5 from second Sunday in October to second Saturday in March).
Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European plugs with two circular metal pins are used.
Description
The Araucanian Indians were the original inhabitants of Chile. The Spanish conquered the country in the 16th century and ruled until the country's independence in 1818. As a result of the War of the Pacific (1879‑1883), Chile gained Tarapacá, Tacna and Arica from Bolivia, and took control of the Atacama. Border disputes between Chile and Bolivia have been a recurrent element in Chile's history ever since. Because of its unusual geography, Chile has a hugely varied climate ranging from the world's driest desert in the north, through a Mediterranean climate in the center, to a snow‑prone Alpine climate in the south. Travelers will enjoy the country's abundant fauna and flora and spectacular scenery consisting of huge glaciers, fjords, waterfalls, blue lakes and numerous national parks where trekking is a very popular activity amongst tourists.
Climate
Ranges from hot and arid in the north to very cold in the far south. The central areas have a mild Mediterranean climate with a wet season (May to August). Beyond Puerto Montt in the south is one of the wettest and stormiest areas in the world.
Geography
Chile is situated in South America, bordered to the north by Peru, to the east by Bolivia and Argentina, to the west by the Pacific and to the south by the Antarctic. The country exercises sovereignty over a number of islands off the coast, including the Juan Fernández Islands and Easter Island. Chile is one of the most remarkably shaped countries in the world; a ribbon of land, 4,329 km/2,690 miles long and nowhere more than 180 km/112 miles wide. The Andes and a coastal highland range take up one‑third or half of the width in parts, and run parallel with each other from north to south. The coastal range forms high, sloped cliffs into the sea from the northern to the central area. Between the ranges runs a fertile valley, except in the north where transverse ranges join the two major ones, and in the far south where the sea has broken through the coastal range to form an assortment of archipelagos and channels. The country contains wide variations of soil and vast differences of climate. This is reflected in the distribution of the population, and in the wide range of occupations from area to area. The northern part of the country consists mainly of the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world. It is also the main mining area. The central zone is predominantly agricultural. The south is forested and contains some agriculture; further south, the forests on the Atlantic side give way to rolling grassland on which sheep and cattle are raised.
Money
Currency
Chilean Peso (CH$)
Credit Cards
VISA, Diners Club, MasterCard and sometimes American Express are widely accepted in towns and cities, where ATMs are also largely available.
Travelers Checks
The government does not regulate the market of foreign currency in Chile, making it possible to exchange money and traveler's checks at any casa de cambio at market‑driven exchange rates. There may be some difficulty exchanging traveler's checks outside major towns. Traveler's checks in US Dollars offer a better exchange rate.
Banking Hours
Mon‑Fri 9AM‑2PM
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