Chile is a country nestled between the Pacific Ocean and mountain ranges. Andes on the southwestern coast of South America. There are different options for where the name of this unique country came from. Even the Chileans themselves cannot choose a single generally accepted version. According to the first theory, the name comes from the language of the Aymaru tribe and means "the place where the earth ends." According to the second, in translation from the Quechua language, it means "cold". The material culture of the Chilean people is a combination of elements of Spanish culture and the culture of the indigenous population.

Chile is not only the narrowest and longest country on the planet, but also the southernmost, because it is located 900 km from Antarctica. It borders Argentina to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, and the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Magellan.

Chile has three climatic and geographical regions. Northern desert, rather cold south of the country and humid area Middle Chile, which is the most developed economically. Santiago- industrial and financial center, the capital of the country. Also major cities include Valparaiso, Antofagasta and Punta Arenas. The official language is Spanish and is spoken by most Chileans.

More than 80% of the population are adherents of the Roman Catholic Church, but in Chile there are large groups of Protestants and followers of Judaism.

An important industry is mining. More than 80% of all minerals fall on copper mining, and the iron ore industry is in 2nd place.

Capital	Santiago
Population
Population density	22.81 people/km²
	Spanish
Religion	Catholics, Protestants
Form of government	presidential republic
	Chilean peso
Timezone	UTC-4 (UTC-3 in summer)
International dialing code
Domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

The climatic conditions of Chile are extremely diverse, and this is due to the great length of the country from north to south and the direct influence of the ocean. Average monthly temperatures can fluctuate considerably: from +12…+16 °С to +18…+22 °С. In the south of the country, the climate is subtropical, with a large amount of precipitation falling in the form of rain. The temperature here ranges from +3 °С to +14 °С. In the north, the climate is mostly dry and desert. The average temperature here is +12…+22 °С. The Mediterranean type of climate prevails in the center. There are four seasons characteristic of Chile: summer (December - February), autumn (March - May), spring (September - November), winter (June - August). The average Chilean winter temperature is about +3…+15 °С. During the summer in Chile, the weather is quite hot. The air temperature can reach +22 °С, but there is practically no sweltering heat here due to the cold current Humboldt.

Sea holidays in Chile are most favorable in the southern and middle parts of the country. The resort is considered the best place for a beach holiday. Viña del Mar next to the national botanical garden. In the highlands of the country, the climate is cool and characterized by temperatures that often do not rise above +3 °С. This makes ski holidays in Chile available all year round.

Nature

The territory of the country is a narrow strip of coastal plain, bounded from the east by mountain ranges. Andes, among which lies the Longitudinal (Central) valley. Often mountain ranges break the cones of dormant and active volcanoes ( Llullaillaco, Ojos del Salado, Tupungato etc.), and in the area of ​​the island of Tierra del Fuego go under water and form a system of fjords. The highest point in the country is Mt. Ojos del Salado(height - 6,880 meters).

The flora of Chile depends on the climate zone. In the north of the country, thorns and cacti grow - the flora of the desert. In the central valley of Chile, some types of cacti are common, you can find the Chilean pine. south of Valdivia jungle is located. There grow: magnolia, laurel, several types of coniferous trees and beech. The extreme south of the country is covered with steppes.

Representatives of the animal world that you can meet: alpaca, llama, vicuña, puma, guanaco.

Birds are quite widely represented, but only ostriches are found among large species.

Attractions

Attractions, both natural and man-made, in Chile can be found at almost every step. The most popular are: lakes Miscanti and Chungara, geysers El Tatio, volcano Parinacota, granite "towers" Torres del Paine, desert Atacama, Easter Island and Patagonia, archaeological sites Sapawira and Copaquilla.

Chile's most frequently visited attraction is the National Park. Lauka, located at an altitude of more than 4,500 kilometers above sea level, almost on the border with Bolivia.

This wonderful reserve has a huge collection of the rarest representatives of flora and fauna.

Another interesting attraction is the volcano. Maipo, still active today, one of the southernmost peaks of the Andes. It is located on the border with Argentina, 100 kilometers from the capital and 90 kilometers from Tupungato. Maipo gained popularity due to its unusual, almost perfectly symmetrical conical shape.

It cannot be said about Municipal Opera and Ballet Theater in Santiago, built in 1857, considered one of the best on the entire continent. In addition to attracting attention Museum of History and Weapons in Arica, the National Museum of Fine Arts, which is the oldest museum in Latin America.

Food

Chile is a country famous for its amazing seafood, which you can enjoy not only in good hotels, but also in most restaurants throughout the country. Especially delicious crabs and abalone shellfish. In addition to seafood, Chilean cuisine is famous for beef dishes, fresh vegetables and fruits. The country is associated with the name of hot pepper, and many mistakenly believe that the national cuisine is very spicy. This is not true. The local food is quite familiar to a European. Chileans eat a lot of meat, they love lamb very much. Prepared from beef asado- a common dish of fried meat.

Chicken is on most menus, although Chileans consider chicken to be second-rate meat. Popular Chilean dishes include:

• empanada de pino(patties with beef, raisins, onions, olives and eggs);
• Empanada de Queso(cheese in dough);
• Lomo a lo pobre(steak, fried eggs, fried potatoes);
• Cazuela de vacuno(soup with beef, potatoes, a piece of bread, pumpkin and rice), etc.

Chile is known for its wonderful wines, the most famous of which are red varieties. carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as white wine Casablanca. Among strong alcoholic drinks, pisco can be distinguished - grape brandy, on the basis of which various cocktails are prepared, such as Pisco Sour(Pisco with lemon juice and sugar).

The best and most popular restaurants are located in Santiago, in the districts Bellavista, Suesia, Las Condes where dinner for one guest costs about $30-55.

Accommodation

In Chile, you will have a wide variety of accommodation options - from cheap hostels, guest houses and small family hotels to upscale hotels from global chains such as Hyatt, Kempinski, Ritz, Sheraton etc. Cheap hotels are called Residential and is available in almost every city. Most of them work according to the well-known system All Inclusive("all inclusive").

Hotel prices are moderate for a European, but by Latin American standards they are high. In Santiago, a single room in the cheapest hotels costs from 7,000-8,000 Chilean pesos ($14-16) per day.

Average cost of a double room in a three-star hotel Santiago is $ 80-90 per day, in Valparaiso - $ 60-70, on Easter Island - $ 100-120. The price of a double room in a five-star hotel in Santiago is approximately $200.

If we talk about rental housing, then a 1-room apartment in the center Santiago will cost $300-500 per month, and a 3-room apartment will cost $600-900.

Entertainment and recreation

The country is known for its excellent ski resorts. One of the most popular is the resort Valle Nevado, located 60 kilometers from the capital. There are more than 30 well-equipped trails of different difficulty levels. The resort attracts attention Portillo, located 145 kilometers from Santiago, where there are many slopes that are suitable for skiers of any skill level.

Beach holidays are very common. Most of the beaches in Chile are free, except for those in the parks. The most popular beaches in the resorts Vilna del Mar, beach La Virgen in the bay English coast, beach playa blanca- in the park Llanos de Challe, beach Las Piscinas- near the cape El Morro, Anakena- on Easter Island, as well as the beach Los Piqueros located within the park sugar loaf.

Chile is famous for its bars, clubs and numerous restaurants that are scattered throughout the country. Most of them are concentrated in Santiago. The most famous of them are "Trampoline" and bar "Cathedral"(for rock fans), wine restaurant "Camino Real", "Casino Cumbre" and many others.

Like many other Latin American countries, Chile celebrates a huge number of different festivals and holidays. January in the city angol you can visit the Folklore Festival, in Valdivia— the most interesting Classical Music Festival, in ovalier- the festival del huaso, in San Bernardo– International Folklore Festival, festival Joronadas de Villarica- in Villarica, and this is not the whole list.

Purchases

When visiting another country, everyone wants to bring home gifts that reflect the local flavor and traditional culture. Chile is certainly not a country popular in the world of shopping, but the trip will not be considered complete if you do not bring souvenirs that symbolize this country.

Chile has the richest deposits of lapis lazuli, which is considered the national stone and has a special place in Chilean culture. Since lapis lazuli is mined in Chile, it can be bought much cheaper in the markets and in Chilean stores. It is worth paying attention to earrings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets and many other jewelry with a special blue color.

Statues are another popular souvenir. moai. They can be purchased in any form: mini-statues for the table, key chains, earrings, beads, etc. Moai are expensive or cheap depending on the size, type of wood or type of stone. High-quality moai are quite expensive - they cost from $50 and up. Also cannot be overlooked mapuche poncho, indio picaro- wooden figurines with a broad smile of the Mapuche Indians, as well as a huge number of copper souvenirs.

Transport

If we talk about intercity buses, then this type of service is provided by several companies. Their branches are in all cities of Chile. These firms provide a high level of service and work according to a convenient schedule. The city bus is easily recognizable by its bright yellow and white color scheme. But during peak hours, this is not the best way to travel. Taxis are popular in the country, which are distinguished by yellow and black colors. Each car has a meter and a registration number. Politeness and courtesy are the hallmarks of Chilean taxi drivers. Smoking on public transport (including taxis) is strictly prohibited.

The state rail transport system (EFE) stretches from Santiago to the south of the country. It passes through most cities such as Rancagua, Chillan, Conception, Talca and to the final station Temuco.

Also in Santiago there is a subway, which is the standard of excellent service and cleanliness. It is a fast, cheap and safe mode of transport. The local metro has three lines: the Red Line runs from West to East through the city center, the Yellow Line runs from the city center to the South-West, and the Green Line runs from the center to the South-East.

Connection

Mobile communication (standard GSM 1900) is quite well developed in Chile. Operators Entel, Claro, Movistar and others almost completely cover the plains of Chile and the capital. In mountainous areas, patchy coverage, even along most of the main highways, the connection is not very stable. One minute of local cellular communication costs $0.2-0.4. The local telephone connection is well developed: there are telephone booths everywhere. It is advantageous to buy a phone card, because the rates for calls from hotels are very high.

International calls are very cheap. You can make a call from any phone. Use a public phone in hotel lobbies or call from phone booths outside. There are outlets in commercial and shopping centers

for international calls.

The Internet is widespread in Chile. Large hotels provide this service in their business centers. You can also use the Internet in an Internet cafe.

Safety

In Chile you can feel safe. Although, as elsewhere, you should beware of pickpockets on buses and the subway. In cafes and restaurants, especially those located on the street, you cannot leave your belongings unattended.

Keep your jewelry and passport in a safe (it is available in all hotels). Also take care of your migration cards and identity documents. If documents are lost, you must immediately report this to the police by calling 133 and to the consulate of your country.

As far as health is concerned, routine vaccinations against mumps, measles, rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (DTP), and polio should be available. In addition, it is reasonable to check the vaccination requirements at the consular office of the host country itself.

In general, Chileans are very friendly and affable people, so a warm welcome awaits you everywhere, especially in small towns.

Business climate

Taxation in Chile is characterized by a small number of direct and indirect taxes and a minimum of tax incentives that are extended to exporters.

The Chilean income tax system includes: a tax on business income - 17%, a tax on the total income of individuals - from 0% to 40%, a tax on salaries and rewards, a tax on income of non-residents - 35%.

It is also interesting that Chile is a member of the American Free Trade Area ( FTAA - Free Trade Agreement of the Americas), which stretches from the fringes of South America to Alaska and is designed to stimulate the development of more lagging regions. In this regard, in two extreme regions (in the north, in the port Iquique, and in the south, in the city Punta Arenas) introduced a preferential taxation system. There is no sales tax, no percentage duty on the import of goods.

At present, a government program in Chile called Start Up Chile, created to attract entrepreneurs from all over the world to create start-ups in the country and use it as a platform to enter the global market. For program participants, the government of Chile allocates $40,000 to come to the country and start a business. The main goal of this program is to turn Chile into an innovative and entrepreneurial center of Latin America.

Real estate

Apartments in the capital and districts providencia and Las Condes(considered prestigious areas) of 50 "squares" of living space can be purchased at a price of $85,000. Housing with an area of ​​80-100 m 2 costs an average of $190,000-200,000. AT Viñe del Mar real estate is a bit cheaper.

Cottages with a fairly large plot (living space from 180 m 2 and a plot from 500 m 2) in the private sector cost from $ 160,000-80,000 and more. There are cheaper options, even for $70,000-80,000, but safety and comfort will be lower. In the north and south of Chile, housing is cheaper.

Rent an apartment in Santiago available for $500 (unfurnished, in a normal area). Furnished apartments are slightly more expensive. When renting, you need to add about another $ 400-600: this amount will cost the maintenance of the apartment (gas, water, electricity, Internet and television).

If we talk about real estate for doing business, today it has become more difficult to find and rent commercial premises in an area good for business (coffee houses, restaurants, hairdressers, etc.). In good areas, there is a glut of the real estate market - there are practically no premises, and the remaining ones are quite expensive to rent.

In Chile, guides and hotel staff wait for tips. Their size will depend on the service and financial well-being of the guests of the country. The porter's tip is $1. The restaurant adds about 10% to the amount in the bill, but the tip may already be included in the price of the order.

Paying in Chile is better than pesos. In medium-sized large stores, you can use credit cards of all known banking systems.

On weekends, Chilean cities quiet down: many shops are closed, even stalls with newspapers and cigarettes.

Swimming in the ocean is allowed only in strictly designated areas.

As for customs rules, Chile does not limit the amount of foreign and national currency transported across the border. Amounts above $10,000 must be declared. Uncanned food, seedlings and plants, weapons, insects, parrots and wild animals are not allowed. It is forbidden to export cultural or architectural values ​​of the country, rare representatives of animals and plants.

Visa information

A visa to Chile is not required if you intend to visit the country as a tourist or guest (visiting relatives, friends) or if you are transiting the country. At the same time, the period of your stay in the country should not exceed 90 days within six months. If you plan to work or stay in Chile for more than the specified period, you must apply for a visa in advance at the Chilean consulates in Moscow, St. Petersburg or Vladivostok.

When crossing the border, you will need the following documents: passport, valid at the time of entry; confirmation of the availability of sufficient funds for the entire stay in Chile; a return ticket or a bank card with funds to purchase it; migration card, which is filled out in Spanish or English (valid for 90 days).

Address of the Consulate of Chile in Moscow: 121002, Moscow, Denezhny lane, house 7, building 1. Tel. 51, 241-43-11. The consulate is open every day from 10:00 to 13:00.

Chile is one of the most remote states from Europe, located in the southwest of South America, stretching out as a long narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. This mysterious, remote and isolated country offers its guests the widest range of tourist attractions.

Visa to Chile The Russians have not needed it for a long time. Citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Chile without a visa for ninety days.

Chile customs regulations

In Chile, there are quite strict customs rules, primarily regarding sanitary control. The following items and products are prohibited from being imported into the country:

• Uncooked fruits, seeds, vegetables and animal products;
• Raw smoked sausages;
• Meat and fish products without jars;
• Firearms, ammunition and explosives;
• drugs;
• Wooden products in case of the presence of insects in them (must be declared and inspected by workers of the sanitary service).

Current time in Santiago:
(UTC -3)

It should be borne in mind that sanitary control in Chile is very strict, when entering the country, all luggage at the airport undergoes a thorough examination using the latest equipment, and specially trained dogs are used for this. If you try to bring prohibited products into the country, a fine of $ 200 or more will be charged.

How to get to Chile

It is most reasonable to start a trip from the capital of the country - this is the largest city, and flights there will be much cheaper and more frequent than to other cities in Chile.

The easiest and most logical option is to fly to Santiago ( Arturo Merino Benitez airport) from Russia - these are flights of one of the European airlines with a connection at the airport of its base. These are Iberia, Air France and Chilean Lan. The latter carrier, however, only flies to Madrid, but thanks to codeshare agreements, you can fly to Madrid on the S7, and all this will be issued on one ticket. You can also fly with one stop with Delta and American Airlines via New York. However, due to the small number of airlines on the route, prices are not encouraging at all. Therefore, to save money, you can consider the option of flying through neighboring countries. It can be both cheaper and richer in terms of impressions.

Recently, tourists are increasingly combining visits to Chile with Argentina and Peru. From Santiago to Buenos Aires (and, accordingly, vice versa) it is most convenient to get direct airline flights. Today, this airline is considered the undisputed leader in the Latin American aviation market. LAN is famous for its impeccable service and reliable aircraft, but its ticket prices are quite high. The average cost of an economy class ticket on the route Santiago - Buenos Aires - Santiago is about $300. Less popular on this route is the Argentine airline. Periodically, these airlines arrange sales and promotions where you can grab tickets for $200. The flight lasts only an hour and a half, so it is not surprising that among the inhabitants of these two South American capitals it is customary to fly back and forth on weekends.

You can fly from Santiago to Lima and back for about $400, provided you buy a ticket a few months before departure. Right before departure, prices can reach $700. Travel time is four hours.

Information about the main air gates of the country (photo, description of terminals, ways to get to the city) - on the page Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport .

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Cities and regions

In administrative terms, the territory of Chile is divided into 15 regions, which in turn are divided into numerous provinces and communities. Each of the regions has its own interesting specifics and features, both natural-geographical and cultural-historical.

№	Region	Capital
1	Tarapaca	Iquique
2	Antofagasta	Antofagasta
3	Atacama	Copiapó
4	coquimbo	La Serena
5	Valparaiso	Valparaiso
6	O'Higgins	Rancagua
7	Maule	Talc
8	Bio Bio	concepción
9	araucania	Temuco
10	Los Rios	Valdivia
11	Los Lagos	Puerto Montt
12	Aisen	Coyaique
13	Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica	Punta Arenas
	Santiago (area)	Santiago (city)
15	Arica i Parinacota	Arica

Arica and Parinacota (Fifteenth Region)

This region, designated by the number 15, was created by the Government of Chile relatively recently - in 2007, thus violating the historically established numbering structure. Bordered to the north by Peru and to the east by Bolivia, Region 15 covers an area of ​​16,873 km² and is home to approximately 192,000 people. Traditionally, the region's economy has been based on the extraction of natural resources, mainly copper, as well as the fishing industry and the production of fishmeal. In the past, the main wealth of this zone was saltpeter.

From a geographical point of view, this area of ​​the Greater North of Chile is characterized by a desert landscape. The scenery and climate vary greatly as you move inland from the coast. The coastal climate is very mild, with average temperatures throughout the year ranging from 20 to 25 degrees. In the highlands and in the desert, there are very sharp fluctuations in day and night temperatures. Precipitation here is extremely rare and in small quantities.

Notable cities and / or sights of the region:

Tarapaka (First Region)

In the historical numbering structure of Chile, this region is number one. In fact, this is the second region of the country from the north, located between the Pacific Ocean and Bolivia. The area of ​​this region of the Greater North of Chile is 42,225.8 km², and the population is more than 314 thousand people. The area is characterized by an arid and barren climate and a very narrow coastal zone. The rest of its territory is occupied by high mountain plateaus and hills. A distinctive feature of this region is a large number of salt marshes and salt lakes. There are also many volcanoes and lagoons and a fairly rich wildlife - llamas, guanacos, vicuñas and flamingos are found here in abundance.

Antofagasta (Second Region)

This is the third region of the Great North of Chile, located between the Pacific Ocean and the border with Bolivia and Argentina, covering an area of ​​126,049.1 km². The population of this region is approximately 575 thousand people. The terrain and geography of the Second Region of Antofagasta have much in common with the First Region of Tarapaca. The economy of this area is based mainly on the extraction of copper, here are the largest mining mines in the country, including the largest open pit in the world Chuquicamata (Chuquicamata). In addition to copper, there are many other natural resources in this region, such as gold, silver, iron and iodine. Particular emphasis is placed on the fishing industry, especially on the production of fishmeal. The population of this region is dominated by the descendants of Croatian immigrants, so do not be surprised that most of the locals look completely European.

• Atacama Desert
• Atakama Salt Marsh and Lagoons

Atacama (Third Region)

This region should not be confused with the Atacama Desert, which is located in the Second Antofagasta Region. The third Atacama Region, the last region in the classification of the natural zone of the Great North, is located between the Pacific Ocean and Argentina on an area of ​​75.452 km² and is a major mining center of the country, whose economy is based on the extraction of copper and silver. This is one of the least populated regions of Chile, with a population of approximately 290,000 people.

• Copiapó

Coquimbo (Fourth Region)

This region, with an area of ​​40,579 km², is part of the natural area called the Little North of Chile. The population of the Coquimbo Region is approximately 718 thousand people. The region's economy is based on agriculture, fishing, mining and tourism.

• Punta Choros Marine Reserve

Valparaiso (Fifth Region)

The Fifth Region of Valparaiso is the most important industrial, port, agricultural and tourist region of the country with a population of 1,734,917 people. The area of ​​this region is 16,396 km², and territorially it is part of the Central Natural Zone of Chile. The capital of the Fifth Region - the city of Valparaiso, which has the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is picturesquely spread on the hills along the huge Pacific bay.

In this region, it is also interesting to visit such resort towns as Viña del Mar and Algarrobo, where the house-museum of Pablo Neruda is located in Isla Negra. The Fifth Region includes the two main islands of Chile - the Juan Fernandez archipelago and Easter Island.

Santiago (Capital Region)

The largest and most developed economic and tourist region of the country, which includes six provinces. Located in the heart of Chile, the Capital Region was excluded from the established numbering scheme of the country's regions. Instead of numbers, he was given the initials RM (Region Metropolitana), which in Spanish means Capital Region. As of 2012, the population of the Capital Region was 6,685,685 people.

The main region of the country covers an area of ​​15,403 km². The name of this region speaks for itself - the capital city of Santiago is located here. This is the richest and most developed region of the country in all respects, where large financial capital, international companies, various industrial production, excellent tourism infrastructure, and well-developed agriculture, in particular winemaking, are concentrated. In the Casablanca Valley around Santiago, there are numerous wineries that are sure to be a pleasure to visit. The most famous wineries in this region are Morande, Indomita, Veramonte and Casas del Bosque. In this region, just an hour's drive from Santiago, there are the best ski resorts in the country, such as Valle Nevado, El Colorado, Farellones and La Parva. Lovers of nature and mountain landscapes will be interested in visiting the picturesque Maipo Gorge, not far from Santiago.

O "Higgins (Sixth Region)

An important mining and agricultural region of the country with a population of 883,368 people and an area of ​​16,387 km². The development of this region is largely due to its proximity to the Capital Region - the capital of the Sixth Region, the city of Rancagua, is located only 96 km from Santiago.

Interestingly, the world-famous philanthropist and industrialist Solomon Guggenheim left his mark in Chile. It was he who founded the Bradden Copper Co. in Sewell. and did a lot for the development of the industry of this country. No wonder the Guggenheim is loved and revered in Chile.

The sixth region has long been famous for its winemaking. On the territory of the largest wine-growing valley Colchagua (Valle de Colchagua) there are such famous wineries as Viu Manent, Santa Rita, Cono Sur, Lapostolle. Thermal relaxation is represented here by the two oldest traditional thermal complexes - Termas de Cauquenes and Termas del Flaco. It should be noted that the thermal type of recreation in Chile is very developed; there are a lot of health-improving complexes here, and almost every region can boast of miraculous thermal springs with a wide variety of healing waters.

The Reserva Nacional Rio de los Cipreses National Park is also located here, where you can see the typical flora and fauna of the Cordillera ecosystem. For outdoor activities, all kinds of water sports and fishing, Lake Rapel, the largest artificial lake in the country, 102 km from Rancagua, is perfect. Here you can rent wooden cabins cabanas. This type of recreation is very common among Chileans.

Maule (Seventh Region)

The seventh Maule Region is located in the heart of the central zone of Chile, 258 km south of Santiago. The population of this region is 968,336 people, and the territory is 30,269 km². This is, first of all, the richest agricultural region where apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots and, of course, grapes are grown.

Maule Valley — this is the most important wine region of Chile, here are many famous wineries, both traditional family and modern, new generation. The road of wine passing through this valley attracts many fans of enotourism. The most famous wineries of the Maule Valley - Valdivieso, San Pedro, J. Bouchon, Gillmore offer everyone visiting their cellars and vineyards, as well as tasting their wines. The Maule Valley is also the largest region for growing asparagus.

Almost on the border with Argentina, there is another interesting natural place in this region - the huge Laguna del Maule, whose bright blue waters abound with trout.

Bio-Bio (Eighth Region)

It is the second most important economic and demographic region of the country. The eighth region covers an area of ​​37,068.7 km², and approximately 1,971,998 people live on its territory. Many important ports of the country are also concentrated here, the main of which is the military port of Talcahuano. This region opens the list of regions that make up the natural region called South Chile.

• Thermal Spa Termas de Chillan

Araucania (Ninth Region)

This region of the South of Chile is known primarily as the birthplace of the indigenous Mapuche Indian population of the country. The ninth region covers an area of ​​31.843 km², and approximately 970 thousand people live on its territory.

• Villarrica National Park
• El Cagny nature reserve

Los Rios (Fourteenth Region)

This region violates the historical structure of the administrative numbering of Chile, and the reason for this is that it has recently split from the Tenth Region of Los Lagos. The fourteenth Region of Los Rios got its name due to the large number of rivers flowing through its territory. The Rivers Region covers an area of ​​18,429 km² and is home to approximately 380,000 people. The economy of this region of the South of Chile is represented mainly by the woodworking industry and cattle breeding.

Los Lagos (Tenth Region)

It is easy to guess that this region got its name from a considerable number of local lakes. And, indeed, there is more water than land. On the territory of the Chilean Lake District there are 12 large lakes and several smaller ones. The lakes are of glacial-tectonic origin and are distinguished by their extraordinary beauty and diverse palette of colors - dark blue, turquoise, emerald reservoirs surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, interconnected by rivers. The extraordinary natural beauty of this region contributed to its prosperity and tourism development.

Today it is one of the most developed regions of the country in terms of tourism and the most popular tourist destination among Chileans and foreign tourists. The Lake District is famous for being the most Europeanized region of the country, the appearance of which was greatly influenced by the German colonists. In the middle of the 19th century, the Government of Chile allocated considerable funds for the development of this region. The mass settlement of these desert lands by German settlers began, who created cities here in a typical German architectural style and raised the economy of this region. Today, many descendants of German settlers live in this region, so do not be surprised to see typical Aryan faces on the streets.

The area of ​​the Lakes Region is impressive in its size, it is 48,585 km², and approximately 836,000 people live on its territory. The economy of the Lake District is represented mainly by fishing and agriculture. Geographically, the region consists of four provinces - Chiloe, Llanquihue, Osorno and Palena.

Aisen (Eleventh Region)

This region opens the geographical area of ​​Patagonia of the Far South of Chile. Located in upper Patagonia, the Aisen region covers an area of ​​108,494.4 km², and no more than 100,000 people live on its territory. It turns out that this is the least populated region of the country. Administratively, this region is divided into five communes - Aisen, Capitan Prat, Coyaique and General Carrera. The capital of the region is the city of Coyaique, the second largest city is Puerto Aisen.

There are several versions about the origin of the name of this region. According to the most common of them, Aisen in English means “the end of the ice” (iceend), and Captain Fitz Roy gave this name to the local lands during his expedition. Other theories attribute the origin of the name to the local Indian dialects, meaning in some cases crooked fjords, and in others inland fjords.

The legendary Carretera Austral, or Antarctic Road, Chile's most picturesque landscape road, passes through the territory of the Eleventh Region. 1240 kilometers of this road connects Puerto Montt with Villa O'Higgins in the extreme south of the region, passing forests, canals, fjords, colorful lagoons and lakes, rivers, waterfalls and glaciers. Carretera Austral was built relatively recently, about thirty years ago, and before that, during the winter, the population of the Aisen region was completely isolated from the rest of Chile. In the summer, transportation was carried out by water. Not surprisingly, isolation from the outside world is one of the features of local life.

Due to its glacial origin, the rugged relief of this region is filled with hills, canyons, meadows against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, representing a kind of mix of Alpine, Altai and Siberian landscapes. The climate in these parts is harsh and inhospitable, characterized by cold and long snowy winters, rainy autumn with strong winds and short temperate summers. On the coast, the climate is oceanic, and in the depths - cold steppe.

Due to its isolation, the Aisen Region cannot be called an economically developed region of the country; the population is mainly engaged in cattle breeding and the forest industry. It is interesting that the way of life and traditions of the locals are very close to the way of life of the Argentine gauchos, which is quite understandable - it is within easy reach of the border with Argentina, this proximity caused such a historical similarity. Residents of border regions constantly travel back and forth for shopping, have relatives here and there, which naturally contributes to the similarity in their lifestyle, habits and traditions. This is a feature of the lifestyle of the population of this region.

In recent years, the Chilean government has been betting on the development of the tourism potential of this region, but today Aisen is still completely undeveloped in terms of tourism, and its tourism infrastructure is, if not in its infancy, then certainly in a diaper state. It can be said that this most beautiful natural region of Chile is only taking its first steps in the tourist direction, but this does not at all lose its attractiveness and pristine charm. It is quite possible that in a few years tourism will be put on stream here, which will inevitably affect the virgin nature of the region.

To get to this region from Santiago, you must first fly to the city of Balmaceda, and then take a bus or taxi to the city of Coyaique (65 km.), From where all routes along this marvelous land begin.

A regular fare on the Santiago-Balmaceda-Santiago route costs about US$150. Travel time is just over two hours.

Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica (Twelfth Region)

Located in the extreme south of the country, the Twelfth Region includes 4 provinces and 11 communes. It consists of two regions - the continental and Antarctic. The main part of the population of the region lives in the continental zone, and its area is 132,033.5 km². The territory of Antarctica with an area of ​​1,250,257.6 km² is separated from the mainland by the Drake Passage. Thus, the total territory of the Twelfth Region, taking into account the area of ​​the commune of Antarctica, is 1,382,291.1 km², and the population is slightly more than 158 thousand people (2010). It is one of the least populated regions of the country due to its harsh climatic conditions. The Magallanes region consists of four provinces: Antarctica, Magallanes, Tierra del Fuego and Ultima Esperanza. The population of the region is mainly engaged in cattle breeding, especially sheep breeding, as well as fishing. The oil and gas industry is also developing here, in view of the discovery in the forties on the territory of Tierra del Fuego oil and gas fields.

The history of these lands is very interesting and instructive. Magellan discovered these places in 1520, when his expedition was trying to find a way out to the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic. Initially, he christened it the Strait of All Saints, and called the lands around the strait the land of the Patagons in honor of the local peoples, who, with their size, reminded him of the mythical giant Patagon. Hence the common name of these places - Patagonia. The Strait of Magellan has the shape of the Latin letter S, and separates the Brunswick Peninsula, where the capital of the Punta Arenas region is located, from the island of Tierra del Fuego, which is located so close to the mainland that its outlines are visible from the Punta Arenas embankment. The merits of Magellan in the history and development of this region are so great that it is not at all surprising that the locals immensely revere the great navigator. They even call themselves not Chileans, but Magellanics, in honor of Magellan. The colonization of these lands really began quite late, in 1843, when President Manuel Bulnes ordered an expedition to be sent from Ancud (Chiloé Island) to develop these remote territories. Thus, the first settlement arose - Fort Bulnes. Later, sheep were brought here from the island of Chiloe and the Falkland Islands, which gave impetus to the development of sheep breeding. At the end of the last century, active colonization of these places began, a huge amount of land was distributed, large farms were created. But if German settlers mainly came to the Lakes Region, then Croats and the British prevailed here. The most famous and wealthy settlers of these places are the Brown, Menendez and Nogueira families.

Punta Arenas is still decorated with magnificent palaces of these families. The reverse side of the coin of this policy was the almost complete extermination of the local Yagan and Selknam tribes, the seizure of their lands by settlers and, as a result, the fabulous enrichment of the colonists.

Chilean Antarctica

Chilean Antarctica is a province within the Twelfth Region. In turn, it consists of two communes - Cabo de Hornos and Antarctica. The administrative center of the Chilean Antarctic is the city of Puerto Williams, competing with the Argentinean Ushuaia for the title of the southernmost city in the world. Severe climatic conditions prevent the mass settlement of these lands, for example, the population of the Chilean Antarctic is only 2392 people. It is the closest to Antarctica from here.

Despite the fact that Antarctica is the most severe climatic region of the Earth, recently this continent has become the object of close attention of tourists from all over the world. And this is not at all surprising, because sophisticated travelers have already explored all the tourist corners of the Earth, and the poles still remain white spots on the map.

The ideal time to travel to Antarctica is December-January, when there are most clear days here. Currently, the territory of Antarctica is divided between 7 countries: Great Britain, France, Norway, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Chile, but does not belong to any state. Only scientific activities are allowed on its territory.

Cruise ships depart from Punta Arenas for Antarctica, but the cost of such cruises is simply astronomical. A more economical alternative would be commercial flights between November and April. There is a choice of both one-day and two-day similar tours. Planes usually land at the Frey meteorological base, which is located next to the Russian Bellingshausen base. Flights and organization of stay at the station are provided by the Chilean airline. The cost of such flights is quite high - from 3 to 4 thousand dollars, but compared to expensive cruises, this option will in any case be more economical. During a one-day air tour, travelers usually visit King George Island (Isla ReyJorge), a kind of capital of the South Pole, where the President Frey scientific station is located, as well as the village of Villa Las Estrellas with a population of 120 people in summer and 80 people in winter.

Antarctica has a huge field of activity for curious and active travelers: here you can take a tour of the Antarctic ice fields, fly a helicopter over glaciers, cruise along the coast, cruising between giant icebergs, and enjoy the marine life of the generous Antarctic waters that harbor populations of blue whales. , elephant seals, seals, seals and emperor penguins.

What to watch

A visit to Chile begins, as a rule, from the capital. Therefore, about attractions in santiago and other worth visiting places in the city you can read in separate material. Other interesting places in the country are very scattered. Below you will find links to various places of interest in Chile, from almost the equator to almost Antarctica.

National Parks of Chile

Chile is famous for its pristine nature and boasts unique natural parks in various geographical areas. This is the main asset of the country, which is carefully protected and supported by the state. In total, there are 33 natural parks in Chile, the most famous of which are the following:

• Torres del Paine National Park
• Laguna San Rafael National Park
• Rapa Nui National Park(Easter Island)
• Juan Fernandez Archipelago National Park
• Villarrica National Park
• Vicente Perez Rosales National Park
• Pan de Azucar National Park
• Lauca National Park(Lake Chungara)
• Isluga Volcano National Park

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and recreation areas

Leisure

Transport

Wellness vacation

Private guides in Chile

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Chile in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

Enotourism (wine tourism)

This is a new direction in tourism, the purpose of which is to get acquainted with the culture and history of the regions through the study of wine-making traditions. In recent years, enotourism has become extremely popular in Chile, replenishing the ranks of its adherents both among the Chileans themselves and among foreign visitors.

March is a special month in Chile, when the whole country walks in the festivals of the harvest of Vendimia. Such festivities are held in different wine-growing regions of the country, as a rule, in the first half of March. In the central region, very interesting and colorful Vendimias take place in the cities of San Fernando, Santa Cruz and Pirque. Gastronomic pleasures and wine tasting at such celebrations are usually accompanied by musical performances, the election of a Queen from among the local girls, competitions in the national dance of the cueca, rodeos and demonstrations of the local cowboy outfits of the Huaso (huaso). During the festival of Vendimia, it is customary to crush grapes in barrels. The barrels are freely available to everyone, so you can come and press at your pleasure.

Thermal holidays in Chile

It is not surprising that thermal holidays are very popular in Chile, because the country is rich in springs with a wide variety of characteristics and healing properties. Thermal complexes are scattered throughout the country, each region boasts its own unique thermal water. Of the thermal complexes closest to Santiago, the following can be recommended:

Here you will find a well-developed tourist infrastructure, hotels for every taste and budget, modern ski lifts, long slopes, as well as ski equipment rental. The ski season in Chile is quite short, it usually lasts from mid-June to the end of August. But, nevertheless, this is one of the few places on the Latin American continent where it snows at all and you can ski, and therefore it is in great demand, especially among neighbors from hot Brazil. The resorts of Portillo, La Parva, El Colrado and Valle Nevado are an hour's drive from Santiago and you can come here either on your own in a rented car or by public transport. The main advantage of these resorts is that if the weather is good, you can ski and sunbathe on the Pacific Ocean in one day.

There are also other resorts in Central Chile, but less equipped, there are fewer slopes and lifts.

• Chapa Verde
• Pucon
• Antillanca (Antillanca)

Resorts outside the central part of Chile, but also interesting and popular. However, the number of difficult tracks (red and black) here is much less than in the resorts of the central part of the country. This is offset by the excellent opportunities for off-piste skiing, and is complemented by the possibility of swimming in the thermal waters in the open air.

• Lagunillas
• Antuco
• Corralco (Corralco)
• El Fraile
• Cerro Mirador (Cerro Mirador)

Movement around the country

Public transport in Chile is well developed and is represented by planes, buses, trains and ferries.

Aircraft

The main mode of transportation in such a long country is, of course, air. It makes no sense to travel by car or bus from Santiago to the extreme north or south, it would be a waste of time. Moreover, the policy of the LAN airline to promote domestic tourism makes flights between the cities of the country relatively inexpensive. By purchasing tickets in advance with this airline, it is possible to find very attractive offers on various tourist destinations within the country. For comparison, here is the average cost of tickets to the most popular domestic destinations (round trip):

• Santiago - Calama: $150
• Santiago - La Serena: $60
• Santiago - Temuco: $90
• Santiago - Puerto Montt: $120
• Santiago - Balmaceda: $140
• Santiago - Punta Arenas: $170
• Santiago - Iquique: $160
• Santiago - Easter Island: $400

Basically, all flights are carried out through the capital of Chile, Santiago. If you need to get from Calama, say, to Arica, you will first have to return to Santiago and from there fly north again - this is an obvious inconvenience.

In the southern direction, however, the situation is different. Here you can conveniently combine visiting several cities at once. For example, go from Santiago to Puerto Montt, spend a few days there, and then go from there to Balmaceda or Punta Arenas. Prices for such domestic flights are quite low, from 50 to 120 dollars, of course, subject to early purchase.

Trains

Railway transport in the country is rather poorly developed. During Pinochet's time, many railroads fell into disrepair. It makes sense to use trains only on a small section from Santiago to Talca and Chillana.

Buses

Bus service between the cities of the country is excellently developed. The bus is the most popular mode of transport in the country. The most reliable and popular bus company is. Turbus bus route network covers almost the entire territory of the country.

It makes sense to use the bus service when traveling over relatively short distances. Very popular bus routes from Santiago to nearby cities such as Valparaiso, La Serena, Chillan, Concepción. Buses are comfortable and economical. For example, from Santiago to La Serena and back you can take a bus for only 16 thousand pesos, however, the one-way trip will take more than six hours.

There are various types of buses and seats, the most popular of which are semi-folding seats - semicama and fully folding - cama.

Culture of Chile

In the regions of the South of the country, especially in Patagonia, lamb roasted whole on a spit (Corderoal Palo) and delicious crabs (centolla), which are rich in the waters of the Strait of Magellan, are traditionally signature dishes. Very popular in Patagonia is homemade jam made from wild berries calafate (calafate), sour-tart little berries that grow everywhere in its forests.

In the Lakes Region, you should definitely try the local salmon (salmon), especially with shrimp and krill bechamel sauce, as well as local hake (merluza austral).

The main cuisine of this region was formed under the influence of German gastronomic traditions and is famous for all kinds of sausages, sausages, sauerkraut rolls and magnificent homemade pies with fruits and kuchen berries.

On the island of Chiloé, curanto is a popular dish. Moreover, on each island they cook it differently: on Easter Island, chimes are cooked in the ground on coals and it consists of meat, fish, chicken, sweet potatoes and vegetables wrapped in banana leaves. The cooking process itself is a most picturesque spectacle - colorful rapanui people, practically without clothes, first bury the curanto ingredients in the ground, and then open the banana leaves, rake the ashes and take out the cooked food from there. The entire cooking process can take several hours.

Chilots hold sacred the ancient culinary recipes of their ancestors. So, curanto on Chiloe is a hot thick dish of meat, potatoes, cereals, fish, smoked meats, which is cooked here on hot stones in a recess dug in the ground. The ingredients are laid out in layers and are saturated with juices and smells during cooking.

Yoko (Lloco) - a whole ritual of cooking fresh pork in cauldrons over an open fire: fried meat, pork skin cracklings and blood sausages are washed down here with chicha - an alcoholic drink that was prepared by the Indians. The raw materials for chicha, as well as the technologies for its preparation, are different in different regions of South America: it is made from rice, corn, yucca juice - in Chiloe it is made from apple juice. The island of Chiloe is also traditionally famous for all kinds of potato dishes.

The archipelago of Juan Fernandez is known for its delicious lobsters, which are found in abundance along its coasts.

The peculiar cuisine of the indigenous Mapuche population in Araucania deserves special attention, which is distinguished by the use of acorns, various cereals and merken spices for food.

Chilean wines

Chilean wine can be found in almost every corner of the globe. Winemaking in the country is experiencing a real flourishing today. To a large extent, this is due to the unique climatic conditions of Chile, which allow growing excellent grapes here. And it has been grown here since the time of the Spanish conquistadors, since 1555! The vine was brought here from Spain by the Jesuits right in barrels. It was they who realized that there are extremely favorable climatic conditions for the development of winemaking. At the end of the 19th century, there was a real breakthrough in Chilean winemaking, and “another misfortune” contributed to this - at that time, an epidemic of phylloxera broke out in France, devastating French vineyards. Chile, fortunately, she did not touch, due to its remoteness and geographical isolation.

In the last twenty years, there has been a real boom in Chilean winemaking, which has seriously competed with European wines in terms of price-quality ratio. The mass production of truly high-quality wines has begun! To some extent, this became possible thanks to the competent economic policy of the state and the hard work of local winemakers. There are several wine-growing valleys in Chile, where a huge number of high-class wineries are concentrated. The most famous valleys are Colchagua, Casablanca, Maipo, Curico, Maule and Aconcagua. All of them are located in the central part of Chile, as there are the most favorable climatic conditions for viticulture. By visiting one or two wineries with wine tasting, it is quite possible to diversify the tourist program in the same Santiago.

Shopping in Chile

Speaking of Chilean souvenirs, we can safely say that the most typical souvenir from Chile will be the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli (Lapis lazuli) and jewelry made from it. This stone is considered a symbol and national treasure of Chile, since lapis lazuli deposits are found only in two countries of the world - Chile and Afghanistan. At craft fairs and jewelry stores, you can find original jewelry made from this stone in silver settings, as well as all kinds of figurines, the most popular of which are penguins. A good gift from Chile can also be copper products - wall plates, ashtrays, figurines, caskets, as well as alpaca and llama wool products. In the southern regions, wood products are in great demand, on Easter Island - wooden carvings, especially the Manutara bird and its eggs, and also products made from sea shells and volcanic stone.

An excellent gift from Chile, no doubt, will be the famous Chilean wine, the fame of which has long been thundering around the world, and pisco.

Communications in Chile

In such a distant country as Chile, communication issues will naturally excite any tourist. There are no difficulties with mobile communications and Internet access in the country. Most hotels have free Wi-Fi.

The main mobile operators in Chile are Claro, Entel, Movistar. For local calls within Chile, we recommend purchasing a card from one of these operators; their services will be used much cheaper than roaming, which is provided by Russian operators - MTS, Beeline and MegaFon.

The international dialing code of Chile is 56. In order to call from Moscow to Chile, you need to dial 8 - 10 (or just "+" instead of this combination, if we are talking about a mobile phone) - 56 - the area code and phone number, and to, while in Chile, to call from a mobile phone to Russia, you need to dial 00 7, the area code and phone number.

But still, in this calm country, unpleasant incidents sometimes occur, so you should not relax completely, but it is advisable to follow certain precautions:

• In restaurants and cafes, do not leave bags unattended, do not hang them on the back of a chair, it is best to keep the bag on your lap under the table.
• In crowded places, especially in the center of Santiago, carefully monitor bags, photographic equipment and wallets.
• Do not change money on the street, even if they offer a better rate.
• On some streets of Santiago and Valparaiso, there are homeless people, beggars and vagrants. And although they are not particularly aggressive, it is still better to stay away from them.
• Beach Valparaiso - a huge number of stray dogs, which it is wise to avoid.

As for Easter Island, the concept of security simply does not exist there - a completely relaxed, peaceful atmosphere reigns on the island and you can safely walk everywhere even all night long. The same applies to such tourist centers as San Pedro de Atacama, Puerto Varas, Puerto Natales, Coyhaique and Frutillar. In general, the country is conducive to a calm, safe holiday.

As soon as I left my five-star hotel in the center of Santiago, I realized that I would not stay here longer than necessary. It was the center, the sun was shining and I was even met by a car that took me to a meeting with local human rights activists.

I was well received, I told about my history with Azerbaijan, then there was lunch, a lot of communication with interesting guys and girls. But the first impression of the city, or call it the sixth sense, turned out to be correct. After dinner, when I returned to the city and went for a walk, every minute I became more and more convinced that it was not comfortable and dangerous here.

This feeling is extremely rare for me and the last time I experienced it in Johannesburg, South Africa many years ago. Most of all, my impression of Santiago is characterized by a photograph of a sleeping dog in the central square.

After half an hour of walking around the center, a policeman turned to me and recommended holding the camera tighter so that I would not be torn out. Thanking him, I looked around, but it was quite deserted around and at first glance the danger was not obvious. I had previously been to major cities in Latin America, be it Quito, Bogota, Buenos Aires, La Paz or Lima, and therefore had a good idea that crime on the entire continent is one of the most serious in the world. Few people - this is just more dangerous, in which case no one will help you. A lot of people are pickpockets.

The very center of the city is very busy, but tourists are not visible, the vast majority of those walking are local Chileans -

If Argentina is a European country in terms of ethnicity, then Chile is already largely mestizos and Indians. Interestingly, seemingly neighboring states with a common history of Spanish colonization.

So I say, a slight tension did not leave me. The very center, here are all the ministries and the main square with the Cathedral. But somehow everything is littered, miserable, cracked. There are a lot of declassed people, or simply poor -

There is no black population in Chile, or rather, it has never been before. Now there are several hundred thousand Africans in the country, and these are not even quite Africans from Africa, these are Cubans for the most part, who came in search of a better life.

Police at every turn -

And everything is fine with the Arabs in Santiago, in the sense that there are quite a lot of them, and the general statistics say that there are more than a million of them here out of the 17 million population of the republic. A significant part of them are Lebanese and Syrians, who massively migrated to Chile in the 70-80s because of the wars in the Middle East.

I decided to walk around the city, not limit myself to a couple of central squares. Looking ahead, I’ll say that during the day I walked about 15 kilometers on foot, bypassing the entire more or less central part of Santiago. As in many other cities in South America, as soon as you move a little away from the place where the parliament, the central Cathedral and the main walking street, you find yourself somewhere in the semblance of a post-apocalypse. Now let me explain clearly. So, go!

Police cars here are like from a movie about the "Terminator" -

There are also many mounted police -

View of the mighty peaks of the Andes, somewhat reminiscent of Almaty -

I've only gone 15 minutes from the center and I find myself in some kind of desolation. Here, once again, a random passer-by makes a sign to me, they say, be careful with the camera. For the second time in a day.

Why in a city with a population of 5 million inhabitants is absolutely empty in the center - I do not understand. There is a feeling that in such megacities people are trying to leave the centers and move to the outskirts, where the middle class lives and where it is quiet and calm. The centers are populated by poor people who have come in large numbers from the provinces and outright crime. The same situation, by the way, in many US cities.

A good place to shoot a horror movie about how people died out from a terrible virus. There are zombies hiding around here somewhere.

I wonder if that guy in the car has already been bitten?

To complete the picture, there is not enough pack of vicious dogs that eat the homeless. Joke!

Damn, what is this all about? Is it the center of the Chilean capital, a country for which the US canceled visas last year, or is it a slum in Uganda and Ethiopia? Well, really trash. I remind you that in a straight line to the Parliament of Chile there is not even a kilometer -

When I took a picture of a sleeping homeless person, from a passing car, my aunt pointed her finger at those Africans in the distance, they say, carefully. This is the third warning. It seems that the locals are seriously concerned about crime in the city.

Here is the number! Donkey in the center of Santiago -

The city is very littered -

There is some serious decline and pessimism in everything -

The church of the Lebanese Maronites, ugly painted with graffiti and, for added color, with a sleeping bum at the entrance -

Yes, graffiti reflects well what I see on the streets -

Oh, well, at least a little semblance of light. At least not gray slums -

It seems that there is more greenery, people have appeared, cars -

Ufff, it seems somehow got out into civilization -

I went to the zoo, but it was closed. The zoo is located on the slope of a hefty mountain, towering in the northeastern part of the center of Santiago. From there, there are beautiful views of the city itself and the Andes -

From afar, everything looks very solid, the main thing is not to look closer -

Santiago train station, from where you can leave ... yes, in fact, you can’t really go anywhere. Electric trains in the suburbs of the capital and many years of ongoing repairs on the line to Concepción and Puerto Montt. Now the station has turned into a bum. near which the Lonely Planet guide does not recommend walking. And there is nothing to do there, solid shops of African merchants.

As beautiful as the country of Chile, I also disliked the capital, Santiago. I'm flying wherever my eyes look.

Chile- a state in the southwest of South America, occupying a long strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Argentina to the east, Peru to the north, and Bolivia to the northeast. The capital is Santiago.

The territory of Chile (excluding Easter Island and Chilean Antarctica) - 756,102 km². The area of ​​Easter Island is 163.6 km², Chilean Antarctica is about 1.25 million km². The length of the coastline is 6435 km, the land border is 6171 km (Argentina - 5150 km, Bolivia - 861 km, Peru - 171 km).

Chile is located in the southern part of the Andes, this is the region of the largest elevation changes in the world. The highest point in Chile is Mount Ojos del Salado (6880 m), near the coast of Chile is the Atacama depression of the Peru Trench, where the depth reaches 6601 m. This is almost 13.5 kilometers.

In addition, the region of Chile is seismically unstable with many active volcanoes, both underwater and terrestrial. Earthquakes happen quite often. It was in Chile that the most powerful earthquake in the history of mankind was officially recorded - the Great Chilean Earthquake. On May 22, 1960, the strength of the shocks was, according to various sources, 9.3 to 9.5.

Climate in Chile

Chile is located in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons here are counted backwards: Chilean winter lasts from May to September, and summer - from November to March (the hottest and driest period of the year).

Due to the large extent of the territory, the climate varies from tropical in the north to temperate oceanic in the south.

A tropical desert climate prevails in the north of the country, and average monthly temperatures range from +12°C (May-August) to +26°C (December-March). Here is the Atacama Desert, one of the driest areas in the world, where rain falls once every few decades.

To the south, the climate changes to subtropical, with summer temperatures in the range of +22..+24°C, and winter temperatures in the region of +12..+18°C. The weather is the same on Easter Island and Juan Fernandez.

The middle part of the country is dominated by a temperate oceanic climate. The temperature there ranges from +3..+12°С in winter to +22°С in summer.

In the highlands of the country it is much colder: in some places it does not exceed +3°C even in summer, in winter it can drop to -27°C.

In the area of ​​the Strait of Magellan and on the island of Tierra del Fuego, the climate is polar, the temperature in winter ranges from -16 to -4°C, while in summer it does not exceed +18°C.

On the coast of Chile, the climate is generally colder than at the same latitude in other coastal areas. This is due to the powerful cold current of the Humboldt, an offshoot of the current of the West Winds, which influences the climate as far as the Galapagos Islands, which lie almost on the equator.

Population of Chile

The population of Chile in 2009 is 16,601,707. Urban population: 88% of the total population.

Basically - Chileans (mestizos) - about 65%. A small number of Indian tribes also live - about 5% (many of them are almost assimilated) and people from other countries. In the southern part of Chile and on the islands, one can meet the living descendants of immigrants from Europe - Germans, French, Basques, Irish, Croats, Russians, etc. (only about 30%).

The vast majority of Chileans (about 70%) profess Catholicism, about 15% belong to various Protestant denominations, primarily Pentecostals. Protestantism has become especially popular in Chile in recent years. Among the Indians remain adherents of traditional Indian religions.

Official - Spanish ("castellano"). The Indian peoples have largely retained their languages, but they also know Spanish, since teaching at school is only in Spanish. Communication between Indians of various nationalities is also carried out in Spanish.

Last changes: 04/26/2013

Currency

Chilean peso (CLP).

In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 500 Chilean pesos, 1000 Chilean pesos, 2000 Chilean pesos, 5000 Chilean pesos, 10000 Chilean pesos, coins in denominations of 1 Chilean peso, 5 Chilean pesos, 10 Chilean pesos, 50 Chilean pesos, 100 Chilean pesos.

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 14.00. Exchange offices are open from 9.00 to 19.00 daily.

You can exchange money at banks or exchange offices. It is quite possible to exchange with private money changers - their exchange rate is usually 10 percent more profitable, but this form of exchange cannot be recommended as a permanent one - cases of fraud are not uncommon here.

Large shops, restaurants and hotels accept credit cards of the world's leading systems for payment. Traveler's checks can be exchanged at banks (traveler's check departments are usually only open until noon) or at exchange offices (usually a better exchange rate). To avoid additional exchange costs, it is recommended to take travelers checks in US dollars with you. In the province, the use of non-cash means of payment is problematic.

Last changes: 05/11/2010

Communication and communications

Phone code: 56

Internet domain: .cl

Ambulance - 131, fire department - 132, police - 133.

City codes

Santiago - 2, Antofagasta, Calama - 55, Arica - 58, La Serena - 51, Valparaiso and Viña del Mar - 32, Castro - 65, Los Angeles - 43, Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales - 61, Puerto Montt - 65, Temuco - 45.

How to call

In order to call from Chile to Russia, you need to dial: 00 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

To call from Russia to Chile, you need to dial: 8 - beep - 10 - 56 - area code - subscriber number.

mobile connection

Mobile communication (GSM 1900 standard) is well developed in Chile. Almost complete coverage of the flat regions of the country and the capital. In mountainous areas, the coverage is patchy, even along many major highways the connection is unstable.

Fixed line

Chile's telecommunications system is at a fairly high level. Telephones with direct automatic access to an international line can be found in bank offices, large restaurants and hotels, shops and other public places. International calls can also be made from the post office or from the hotel (much more expensive, the price of a minute depends on the level of the hotel itself). Most public payphones operate with calling cards, which can be purchased at company offices, tobacconists and supermarkets.

Internet

Network technologies and means of their service in Chile are developing very intensively. In the capital and other large cities (even on Easter Island) you can find many Internet cafes. Many hotels provide internet access.

Last changes: 05/24/2010

shopping

It is quite possible to bargain in the markets and in private shops in Chile. However, the prices there are already low.

It is worth bringing wood crafts with carvings and paintings, musical instruments, ceramics, bronze and silver jewelry, and glassware from the country. At one of the largest souvenir markets in Santiago, Pueblito los Dominicos, you can buy quality copper products, silver and crystal jewelry, Indian handicrafts, alpaca and llama wool products.

Last changes: 05/11/2010

Where to stay

All hotels in Chile, as a rule, meet international standards and correspond to the assigned "star rating". Hotels are diverse in class, quality of service and services provided.

Sea and beaches

The beaches are very popular; in terms of infrastructure and quality, they cannot be compared with world-famous resorts. Chile is not a country of beach tourism, a few days on the coast, as a rule, only complement a rich excursion program. It is also worth remembering that the water in the ocean rarely warms up above 15 degrees, and most beaches are not suitable for swimming due to dangerous waves and currents.

Beach months are from December to the end of March. In May-July, rain is possible and the evenings are quite cold.

Last changes: 01.09.2010

History of Chile

Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the territory of today's Chile was inhabited by numerous Indian tribes. In the middle of the 15th century The Indians of the north and parts of the center of Chile were conquered by the Incas. But most of the Mapuche retained their independence. At the beginning of the 16th century the Indian population of Chile was about 1 million people.

In 1535 Spanish conquistadors headed by Diego de Almagro landed in Chile. By 1544, the entire northern part of the center of Chile was conquered by the Spaniards and was included in the viceroyalty of Peru as a governor. A number of cities were founded on the occupied lands.

As a result of the anti-Spanish popular uprising on September 18, 1810, independence was proclaimed in Santiago. At the beginning of 1813, the Spanish army resumed hostilities against the rebels, and in 1814 the colonial regime was restored. But in 1817, the Liberation Army of José de San Martin, the main backbone of which was the Chilean units under the command of Bernardo O "Higgins, invaded Chile from the territory of Argentina, and finally defeated the colonial troops. In 1823, the slavery of Negroes was abolished. In 1826 . was released from the Spanish troops.

In the Pacific War against Spain in 1864-1866, Chile defended its independence. The clash of economic and political interests between Chile (supported by Great Britain) and its neighbors Peru and Bolivia (supported by the USA) caused the Pacific War of 1879-1884. Chile won and the regions of Peru (Tarapaca) and Bolivia (Antofagasta), with the richest saltpeter deposits in the world, went to it.

In World War I, Chile declared neutrality, but the ships of Great Britain and Germany called at Chilean ports and conducted military operations in the territorial waters of Chile. By the end of the war, Chile's main trading partner was the United States. In 1925, a new constitution was adopted, proclaiming basic civil liberties and separating church from state.

With the outbreak of World War II, Chile declares its neutrality, but in 1943 breaks relations with Germany, Italy and Japan and in 1945 declares war on Germany and Japan. But Chile did not participate in the hostilities. December 11, 1944 Chile establishes diplomatic relations with the USSR. With the beginning of the Cold War, under pressure from the United States in 1947, the government of Gabriel Gonzalez Videla tore them apart.

1970-1988, a period associated with the activities of the government of President Salvador Allende and the reforms of the military junta of General Augusto Pinochet.

After the People's Unity bloc (an association of left-wing and center-left parties and organizations) came to power, headed by the elected (but did not receive an absolute majority of votes) President Salvador Allende, in 1970-1972. a complex of left-wing social and economic transformations was carried out in the country: the nationalization of enterprises and banks, agrarian reform, the development of social programs, and changes in labor legislation in the interests of employees. Allende's policy faced growing resistance from conservative financial, industrial and latifundist circles within the country, and pressure from foreign corporations. This led to economic difficulties, which then turned into an economic crisis. High inflation and commodity shortages caused social tensions to rise, accompanied by right-wing opposition-funded strikes, street riots, and a surge in right-wing terrorism.

The economic situation was further exacerbated by the credit boycott of Chile by major US and international banks. President Allende was systematically subjected to pressure from one side of the radical left, who demanded to speed up reforms and move from the nationalization of industries resorting to sabotage to the complete expropriation of capitalist property; and on the other hand, the rightists, who demanded to curtail the implementation of reforms and abandon the proclaimed social guarantees.

Parliament and the court, the majority of which were right-wingers and conservatives, resigned their powers in defiance of the socialist government. By September 1973, state power was paralyzed.

The CIA financed the opposition media, politicians and organizations, stimulating the organization of campaigns to destabilize the country. The country's top generals decided to carry out a military coup. During the coup during the storming of the presidential palace, Salvador Allende was killed, according to reports circulated by the military junta, he committed suicide. The dictatorship of the Governmental Junta was established in the country, headed by General Augusto Pinochet.

The constitution was abolished, the National Congress was dissolved, all left and center-left parties and organizations, whether or not part of the People's Unity, were outlawed, the United Trade Union Center of Workers (CUT) was banned and the Cybersyn project was destroyed, the activities of right-wing parties were declared "suspended" , and in 1977 also completely banned. Later, new yellow trade unions, under the control of the military regime, were established, in the manner of Mussolini or Francoist.

Officially, the state of "state of siege" imposed to carry out the coup continued for a month after 9/11. During this period, over 30,000 people were killed in Chile. The destruction of opposition representatives was also carried out outside the country. The operation "Condor" for the liquidation of political emigrants, carried out by the National Intelligence Directorate of DINA, together with the special services of other dictatorships of Latin America, gained fame. So, for example, Operation Colombo was carried out, as a result of which 119 people "expelled from Chile" were actually killed. At the same time, the Pinochet regime was engaging with European neo-fascists for the same purpose.

The period of General Pinochet's rule in political terms was based on the restriction of civil and political rights and freedoms and the harsh suppression of the opposition. Repression, illegal imprisonment and torture continued until the end of the dictatorship. The socio-economic sector of the country experienced a significant setback thanks to the neo-liberal counter-reforms initiated by the regime (prices rose in some cases by 18-20 times, and for such basic foodstuffs as bread, milk, meat - by 4-10 times), as a result of which today from 20 (according to official data) to 40% (according to independent organizations) of the population of Chile are below the poverty line, and the dictator himself, members of his family and other high-ranking officials of the regime became the beneficiary of privatization.

In 1978, censorship in the media was somewhat relaxed and, in limited cases, "live broadcast" on radio and television was allowed. In 1980, the country adopted a new constitution, but its implementation was delayed until 1988. In 1988, as a result of powerful protests within the country and under pressure from the United States, Pinochet agreed to a plebiscite on the question of maintaining the dictatorship. On October 5, 1988, Pinochet lost the plebiscite, and the National Security Council assembled by him rejected the dictator's proposal to refuse to recognize the results of the plebiscite and make a new coup.

In 1989, Chile passed to democratic rule, elections were held, which were won by the opposition to the dictatorship, the Consent of Parties for Democracy bloc. In 1990, the bloc's candidate, Christian Democrat Patricio Aylvin, took over as president.

However, experts assess the state-legal structure of Chile based on the 1980 constitution as a compromise, a “draw” between democracy and dictatorship, since it contains mechanisms that limit the ability of the civil authorities to control the army and provide preferences to the figures of the former military regime.

Last changes: 04/26/2013

Chile is the southernmost country in the world, because located just 900 km from Antarctica.

Puerto Williams is the southernmost city in the world.

The Atacama Desert is the driest place on earth.

The largest difference in the level of the relief of the globe (almost 13.5 kilometers difference) - between the top of Mount Ojos del Salada (Valcán Ojos del Salada) and the bottom of the Pacific Ocean is located in region III, near the city of Copiapo.

Chungará Lake, located in the north of the country, 189 km from the city of Arica, at an altitude of 4,517 m above sea level, is the highest mountain lake on the planet.

Lunar Valley, which is located between the city of Calama (Calama) and San Pedro de Atacama (San Pedro de Atacama) - the only place on the planet, very reminiscent of a lunar landscape.

The only natural laboratory in the world that changes its chemical composition depending on the time of year is Lake Copaue, located near Los Angeles. Hot underground waters of volcanic origin change its chemical composition from winter to summer.

Chilean Patagonia is the cleanest place on the planet.

The Elqui Valley (Valle de Elqui) has the clearest sky on earth, with an average of 240 cloudless nights a year, which is why the largest astronomical observatory in the Southern Hemisphere has been built there.

The world's highest permanently active volcano - 6,064 m - Ual'yatiri volcano, located near the village of Chapikinya in the I region.

Easter Island is the most remote on the planet, because. the nearest habitable place is 2,500 km away.

Chile is the only country in the world from where there are tours to Antarctica and Easter Island.

This is the only country where there are no poisonous snakes.

In the markets and in private shops you can bargain. The price level in the country is low, but somewhat higher than in neighboring countries.

The system of measures and weights is metric.

Be careful when photographing warships in harbors. This can lead to close acquaintance with the local police, who are considered incorruptible.

You should not smoke and drink alcohol on the streets - in many places it is considered a sign of bad taste, and in some cities it is even prohibited. Since mid-2006, a new law has come into force, providing for a ban on smoking in public institutions, buses, stadiums, schools, hospitals and other public places, and large non-smoking areas must be provided in restaurants. Violators will be fined 15,000 pesos ($30).

All water should be considered potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should be boiled first. Milk is pasteurized and safe to drink, even unpasteurized, everywhere except in remote mountainous areas. Meat and fish must be subjected to mandatory heat treatment.

You can swim in the ocean only in strictly designated areas.

In Chile you will find excellent wines. You will be strongly advised to try the national so-called 40 degrees liquor called pisco, which in the Russian sense is considered grape vodka. It will be difficult for a Russian person who is accustomed to pure vodka to appreciate the merits of pisco. Pisco is not drunk just like that, it is diluted with various fizzy drinks, such as Schweppes, Coca-Cola, etc. (recipes for making pisco cocktails are given in the Wine section)

You won't find good quality vodka in Chile. Two options are possible - this is Absolut of dubious quality and Stolichnaya in the export version, which is far behind in quality from any average price vodka in Russia. Therefore, if you want to make a good gift to your drinking Chilean friend, then bring him vodka, he will be extremely happy.

A woman drinking a glass of vodka with a casuela at dinner is nonsense. Don't be surprised if a full line of waiters line up behind you to see how you do it. The opinions of the waiters are divided, some will look at you with respect, while others, looking at your decent appearance, will be bewildered. But at the same time, no one will tell you anything. If anyone in Santiago has seen anything like this, then in the provinces - never.

The attitude towards the Pinochet regime is very contradictory and depends on the age category of your acquaintances. As a rule, people over fifty treat Pinochet with great sympathy, those who are younger are very contradictory - some hate, some love. Do not be surprised if on the street you see slogans painted on the walls with the following content: "Long live, Pinochet!" (Viva Pinochet). However, when you see Chile - a beautiful, prosperous country with smiling faces of its citizens, talk to them, and they will tell you about the hunger and poverty of socialism, which they had to experience for several years, unlike our seventy, then form your own opinion. about Pinochet.

Valparaiso and Viña del Mar are theoretically two cities, but practically two large areas of one. If you want to stay either in Valparaiso or Vigne for a few days, be sure to choose a hotel on the coast. Almost the entire coast is dotted with small rocks, and small cozy hotels rise on these rocks. Therefore, from the window of your sea, you will look directly at the ocean and its white waves will break against your window.

You can swim in the ocean only in strictly designated areas. If you decide to become a hero and swim in the Pacific Ocean in another place, then the surf will not give you the opportunity to go to the rocky shore. However, in any case, the coast police and rescuers work perfectly, rescue operations are organized at a very high level. Onlookers from the shore will even have time to film the rescue process.

A stunning sight in Santiago - women - traffic controllers at intersections. It looks very nice in combination with the perfect order in the movement of vehicles. No driver will ever run a red light or even cross a stop line. The only problem is the buses that take advantage of the fact that they are big and behave very arrogantly on the roads, all the drivers do not like them.

Almost all families in Chile (according to our concepts) have many children. Having four or five children is normal and not from poverty, but from the fact that a respectable dad is able to feed such a crowd and give all his children the education necessary for a happy life. Divorce is not accepted in Chile.

If you are a passionate fan of strawberries - then demand it in a restaurant, it is very tasty in Chile. Your only difficulty will be that the well-known word "fresa" (Spanish for "strawberry") will not help you, in Chile it is called "frutilla" - "frutilla".

Last changes: 20.01.2013

How to get to Chile

The main airport of the country is located in the capital Santiago.

There is no direct air connection between Chile and Russia, you can get to the country using Air France flights with a connection in Paris or Iberia flights with a connection in Madrid, as well as by a Lufthansa flight with a connection in Frankfurt and a stopover in Sao Paulo (Brazil) . The average flight duration is 20 hours.

If you are already in South America (Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Bolivia), then you can get to Chile by bus (cheap, exotic and pretty reliable).

Last changes: 04/26/2013

The countries of Latin America are a relatively new tourist destination and, unlike the resorts of the Caribbean, a rather small number of Russian tourists come here on vacation. Chile is one of them. We primarily associate this state with the bloody dictator Pinochet, and also with very hot peppers. But the years

go, the military junta has been defeated, and chili peppers can be omitted or consumed in moderation. But the amazing beauty of nature, the wonders of architecture and the mysteries of bygone civilizations have remained and beckon inquisitive travelers.

Tours in Chile rarely pass without a visit on the shore of which there are strange stone moai idols. Scientists still cannot agree on what religious beliefs gave rise to these sculptures and, most importantly, how the ancient islanders brought them to the shores from the quarries. “As a child, we were taught at school - there is no country more wonderful than Chile,” is sung in a song based on the verses of Pablo Neruda. This phenomenal state lies in almost all climatic zones of the planet, and you can ride from the subequatorial jungle to the tundra without crossing

The capital of Chile - Santiago, cannot, of course, be compared with Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires, where many buildings of colonial architecture have been preserved, but this city has its own "face", its own special charm. Many travelers consider it as a simple transit point to immediately go to Patagonia or to. However, there is reason to stay here for a few days. From all sides, Santiago is surrounded by a crown of majestic mountain peaks.

The Andes not only form a kind of microclimate, but also serve as a place of recreation for the residents of the capital: mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking, and also snowboarding. Plenty of snow-covered slopes, and a little cold, you can go to the beach, since the capital of Chile lies just an hour from the sea. Having become acquainted with the natural beauties of the surroundings of Santiago, you need to pay due attention to the architectural sights of the city.

All sightseeing tours usually start from Plaza de Armas - the Plaza of Weapons, from which the capital of Chile began. In 1541, the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia built an arsenal on this site, because he felt uncomfortable among the local population. Since that time, the square was also a market, festivals and even bullfights were held on it. Now fountains murmur here, and only the bronze statue of the conquistador reminds of the

stunned. La Chascona is an obligatory point in the excursion program in Santiago. This house of the poet fully reflects his character: here you will not find even walls and right angles, but only a complex interweaving of flights of stairs, garden paths and secret passages.

The capital of Chile is also famous for another building - La Moneda Palace. Once coins were minted here (hence the name), but later a presidential palace was built here. It was he who was bombed by the Pinochet junta in 1973, as a result of which the palace was partially destroyed. Opposite the building of the government residence, a monument is now erected. If you wish, you can get inside the building or simply limit yourself to watching the solemn changing of the guard to the beat of drums and music.