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Information About Chile |
Full Name: Repúblic of Chile
Capital: Santiago
Official Language: Spanish
Currency: Peso
Chile is a country of galvanizing contrasts and extreme beauty, with attractions ranging from the towering volcanic peaks of the Andes to the ancient forests of the Lake District. There are a multitude of very good parks here, and plenty of opportunities for fine adventure travel. Chile is justly famous as the location of Torres del Paine, considered by many to be the finest nature travel destinations in all of South America. From salty-desert top to glacier-crowded bottom, Chile is a reminder of the cutting edge of nature's beauty and power. This narrow trickle of a country is jammed with enough geysers, mountains, beaches, forests and volcanoes to keep adventurer slavering for a lifetime. Chile occupies a narrow coastal strip squeezed between Andes Mountains and Pacific Ocean. The Pacific acts as a border on the western front, Peru in the in the North, Bolivia in the north east, Argentina in the East and the Drake Passage
in the southern most tip of Chile. The northern Atacama Desert is rich in minerals. The Central Valley including Santiago is the Historical centre and is rich in population and agricultural products. Southern Chile is full with rich forest, grazing lands, with a chain of volcanoes and lakes. The Southern coast of Chile is a maze of Fjords, Inlets, Canals, and twisting Peninsulas. Chile is the longest country in the World. Easter Island,
Sala y Gomez, San Ambrosia and San Felix all extend Chile's claim to territorial waters from its coast to Pacific. For anyone who has ever been fascinated by geography, the long, impossibly thin line of Chile has always produced a moments of astonishment.
Chile's climate is as diverse as its geography. Aside from the obviously extreme climatic conditions of the Andes and Atacama, however, the country enjoys a comfortable temperate climate. The National flower is Chilean bellflower; Condor and the Huemul are the national animals.
Tourist Attractions
Chile's flora and fauna, like its geography, are singular and tremendously varied, and for many visitors constitute one of the country's principal attractions.
Many of Chile's plants and animals are endemic, they are found nowhere else on earth. There are five thousand one hundred plant species among them two thousand five hundred are endemic. Many unique ecosystems are preserved within one of South America's finest national park systems. Chile ranks seventh in the world and third in the Americas, in the percentage of landmass protected. UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves underscores Chile's importance as a treasure trove of biodiversity.
Due to fantastic variations in climate and geography, some plants or animals are found throughout Chile's entire 2600-mile length. Guanacos - wild relatives of the llama and Alpaca, Pumas still inhabit many national parks throughout the country, and the Andean Condor is often seen in high altitude environments.
Beaches of Chile
With almost 3000 miles of coastline, there are hundreds of beaches, coves and inlets for swimming, diving, surfing, windsurfing and sea fishing.
Easter Island the Navel of the World
Explore Rapa Nui, the mystery of the moais, the Birdman petroglyphs and Easter Island, past and present.
Juan Fernandez Archipelago
Known for their connection to Robinson Crusoe, the islands are a haven for fauna and flora, some grown only here.
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine
This dramatic region of granite peaks, glaciers, emerald-green lakes, rushing rivers and spectacular scenery is one of Chile's most popular destinations.
Viaje Al Altiplano Chileno, II
This part details Clarence Fisk's trip from Antogagasta
The Museo de solidaridad Salvador Allende, on calle Herrera are famous attractions in Chile. Artists from 31 countries as famous as Miro, Calder and Soto donated their works for what is the greatest collection of contemporary art in this city. It should be worth mentioning. Another extraordinary place is Galeria Animal, in Las Condes, which presents almost all the living Chileans contemporary artists. They have a splendid collection.
Popular Cities in Chile
Santiago de Chile is a modern metropolis with a shiny face and one of South America's most dynamic economies. At the same time, struggling street vendors board city buses to hawk everything from pins to ice cream. The Skyline is very impressive and light works at night astounds you.
Farellones / El Colorado ski Field
Chile has acquired an international reputation among skiers, and the country's best downhill skiing is to be found in Middle Chile's high cordillera. Within this region are the El Colorado and Farellones ski resorts, close enough to be taken as a
Single resort, with 18 lifts and 22 runs from 2430m to 3333m.
Parque Nacional Lauca National Park and Lakes
Arica-La Paz Hwy
Lauca is northern Chile's treasure. Within the huge park are herds of llama and alpaca, groups of vizcachas and over 100 bird species, including flamingos and Andean gulls, plus archaeological landmarks. One spectacular feature is Lago Chungará, one of the world's highest lakes, at the foot of the dormant twin Payachata volcanoes.
San Pedro de Atacama village
This tiny colonial village has excellent access to the spectacular geysers, volcanoes, salt flats and lakes of the northern altiplano, and it is one of the country's most popular destinations. The town itself has an excellent archaeological museum and pretty sixteenth century adobe buildings. Locals still farm terraces over a thousand years old.
San Pedro is the access point to the world's highest geyser field at El Tatio, Chile's largest flamingo breeding ground. There are also numerous volcanoes and natural hot springs; pre-Columbian archaeological sites, and heavenly landscapes such as the famous Valle de la Luna in San Pedro. It is also a gateway to Bolivia's dazzling salt flat, Uyuni.
Transport Facilities in Chile
Chile is connected by air to North America, Europe and Australasia, and most international flights arrive in Santiago. Chile's border-crossing points with Peru and Bolivia are rare. The crossing between Arica in Chile and Tacna in Peru provides the only land access to Peru. More interesting are the many Lakes District and southern Patagonian routes, with buses and ferries servicing the crossing points between Chile and Argentina.
Accommodation is not a problem as all types of options are available in Chile.
Travel Tip for Chile
You can buy a ticket for less than half the price than a ticket in Arica bus station. Go to bus station in Arica, negotiate taxi to Tacna and buy a bus ticket to Peru town.
It is a lot cheaper than having this arranged by the bus agent in the Arica station.
Buses from San Pedro de Atacama now ply to Salta (Argentina) 3 times a week, but make sure you get your Chilean exit stamp in San Pedro, as there are no Chilean emigration facilities at the border.
The '@' sign is difficult to locate on Spanish keyboards so that might cause you problem while you sit in the internet café.
Do not forget tramping boots while on walking tours.
For further details and information on Chile and its tourist destinations browse more pages of
allwonderscountries
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