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Chile is a unique
country whose unusual geography encompasses
so many different environments from the Atacama Desert in the North to
the Antarctic in the South. On the Pacific coast of South America, the country
stretches along 4300 km of coastline but is
hardly ever more than 180 km wide as the high mountain range of the Andes isolates it from
its neighbours, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. Chile is one of the
continent's most developed nations. Over one third of the total population of 14.9 million live in the capital, Santiago, in the Central Valley.
The visitor however is attracted to many of the remote and un-spoilt
places. The options are many and varied from the vast empty desert areas of the Atacama Desert to the heart of
the Andes reaching up to more than 5,000 meters, where
there are snow capped volcanoes and dramatic landscapes stretching across
wild, untamed places. Adventure tourism offers some of the best trekking, fishing and skiing
opportunities in the southern hemisphere.
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The country is divided into twelve administrative regions
from north to south, together with the Metropolitan
region of Santiago. Each
region has its attractions and individual tourism activities. San
Pedro de Atacama and Torres del Paine are
probably the most well known and visited as well as Easter Island in the Pacific,
but there are many more places which are gradually becoming more
frequented. In the IV Region of Coquimbo
with its near perfect climate, the city of La
Serena and the Port
of Coquimbo make an ideal stopping place
for those traveling to the North. Here the fertile transversal Elqui Valley attracts those who
interested in astronomy for the skies here are the clearest in the world.
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Whatever part is visited the Chilean people are
noted for their warm hospitality, friendliness and creativity.
Folklore and music go hand in hand with the Chilean traditions and culture.
The wide variety of food and wine produced
locally in the regions gives the Chilean cuisine an individual flavour. Many gastronomic dishes are based on the
local fish and shellfish found along the extensive coastline. The
Chilean liquor "pisco" which is like a clear type
of brandy is the national drink, often served as a "pisco sour", is produced in the Elqui and Limarí Valley and there
are many excellent quality Chilean wines. The visitor is often surprised and captivated by the
character, landscape and welcome in this "long thin country" of Chile.
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USEFUL
DETAILS
Language: Spanish
Currency: Chilean peso, Most accept credit cards:- American Express, Diners, Master Card and Visa.
Business Hours: Banks 9:00 - 2:00 pm Monday - Friday. Business Hours vary from city to
city.
Museums:
Tuesdays - Saturdays 10:00
- 5:30 pm Sundays - 10:00 - 1:00 pm Closed
Mondays
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Public
Transport: Regular flights to most cities by Lan Chile, Good coach/bus
services by day and night to the North and South
Taxis and buses available locally. 'Colectivos'
- have a fixed route. And carry up to four passengers.
Car Rental: Passports and driving licenses needed. Major credit
cards accepted. Every city has car rental.
Health: Advisable to drink bottled water. Vegetables and shellfish
should be cooked before eating. Good
clinics and hospitals located in all cities.
Tipping - Restaurants
etc. customary 10%
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Press Click
and the Map
will cover
the whole page
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