Capital: Santiago

Language: Spanish

Currency: Chilean Peso

Chile has established itself as one of the more economically stable countries in South America! 

The most popular destinations are those that cater for ecotourism or historical trips, such as the world-famous Easter Island, where the Moais (giant heads carved in stone) dominate or the Villarrica National Park, in the Andes, home to snow-capped volcanoes and lakes. It is worth noting that the Villarrica volcano is considered one of the most active in Latin America.

Geography

The country is in western South America and occupies a long, narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Chile covers an area of 756,096 square kilometres and borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far south. Chilean territory includes the Pacific islands of Juan Fernández, Isla Salas y Gómez, Desventuradas, and Easter Island in Oceania.

Climate

The diverse climate of Chile ranges from the world’s driest desert in the north—the Atacama Desert—through a Mediterranean climate in the centre, humid subtropical in Easter Island, to an oceanic climate, including alpine tundra and glaciers in the east and south. There are four seasons in most of the country: summer (December to February), autumn (March to May), winter (June to August), and spring (September to November).

Culture

Although prone to the same influences as other South American countries, Chilean culture better reflects the isolated geography of the country compared to the rest of the continent!  It had heavy Spanish colonial influences but with elements of a mostly Mapuche indigenous culture, and immigrant culture equal to other South American countries!

Gastronomy

When it comes to gastronomy, fish and seafood are the staples used to create regional delicacies such as Congrio soup, an eel broth made with onion, coriander, garlic, pepper and carrot. Chilean cuisine is a combination of everything that makes the culture unique, from Mapuche tastes and local ingredients to European cuisine and Spanish traditionalism!