Chile is a South American country sharing its borders with Peru and Bolivia to the north on the one hand, and Argentina to the northeast, east and southeast on the other, and whose territory forms a narrow strip from the Atacama Desert to Cape Horn. Easter Island, located 3,000 kilometers from Valparaíso in the Pacific Ocean, has been part of Chile since 1888. The country's surface area is 756,102 square kilometers. The government also claims possession on the Antarctic continent. The Chilean Antarctic Territory corresponds to longitudes 53° W and 90° W, and is located south of the sixty-fifth parallel south. Chile is a destination full of charm, mystery and adventure. Discover some of the suggestions and places not to be missed on this trip to this country.
Cultural stop at the Palacio de la Moneda and the Metropolitan Cathedral
If you want to know a little more about the history of the city of Santiago de Chile, be sure to stop by the Palacio de La Moneda and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Visits rich in architecture, history and culture to make your trip to Chile unforgettable. The Palacio de la Moneda, in Spanish Palacio de la Moneda, which would mean palace of the Mint, in Santiago, is the seat of the presidency of Chile, and also it is one of the most remarkable buildings ever built by the Spaniards in their colonies in Latin America. The Palace of the Mint, originally used as a financial hotel, where insignia were struck on the coins, was designed by the Italian architect Joaquín Toesca. Its construction began in 1784 and it was inaugurated in 1805. In June 1845, under the presidency of Manuel Bulnes, it became the seat of the government and the residence of the president of the Republic, furnished like an 18th century French palace. In 1930, a square was created in front of the north façade of the palace, Constitution Square. More recently, in January 2006, it was inaugurated the square of the Citizenship, which is now a cultural center. These works are part of the celebration of Chile's bicentennial which ends on September 10, 2010. The palace was partially destroyed by the bombings of the September 11, 1973 coup d'état in Chile led by Augusto Pinochet. It was within its walls that Salvador Allende, then President of the Republic, committed suicide. It was restored and rehabilitated on March 11, 1981. The former president of the Republic, Ricardo Lagos decided to open the Moneda to the public. It is possible, during certain hours of the day, to walk through the palace. In 2001, President Ricardo Lagos had the façade of the Moneda renovated; remains of bullets that had been fired on September 11, 1973 during the coup d'état were found. The Moneda was renovated in white. Currently, the Moneda is the seat of the Presidency of the Republic and three ministries: Interior, General Secretariat of the Presidency and General Secretariat of the Government.
Unique views of the city of Santiago in the Cerro San Cristobal
Santiago is the capital of Chile, a Latin American country. It is located in the Central Valley. Its inhabitants are called the Santiago people. The Cerro San Cristóbal is a hill located in the Bellavista district of Santiago, Chile, near the municipalities of Providencia and Recoleta. Its summit is 860 meters high. A statue of the Virgin Mary dominates it since 1908 and John Paul II gave a mass there in 1987. A zoological park has been installed there since the 1920s. A funicular allows to reach the summit and to have a beautiful view of Santiago. The cerro San Cristóbal gave its name to cristobalite, a mineral of composition SiO2. One of the experiences not to be missed in Santiago de Chile is the ascent of the Cerro San Cristobal, which is a hill of more than 850 meters high that allows to have a panoramic view. The ascent is done in an elevator and is well worth it, as you can see the whole city of Santiago and also see the Andes mountain range.
World Heritage Site in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar
Valparaíso, or Valparaiso in English, is a port and city in Chile, capital of the region and province of the same name. It is the first port and the second city of Chile. The city forms, together with the neighboring municipalities, the conurbation of Greater Valparaíso, which has about 1 million inhabitants. Greater Valparaíso includes the municipalities of Quilpué, Viña del Mar, Villa Alemana and Concón. Valparaíso played a very important geopolitical role in the second half of the 19th century, when the city served as a stopover for ships travelling between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and crossing the Strait of Magellan. During this golden age, Valparaíso became a magnet for European immigrants and developed strongly. It was then known by foreign sailors as the "Little San Francisco" and the "Jewel of the Pacific". It is home to several national bodies such as the National Congress, the Chilean Navy Staff, the Customs Service and the National Council of Culture and Arts. Its historic center was declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2003. It is considered a World Heritage Site. Valparaíso is a charming city and one of the largest ports in Chile. Its streets are full of colorful buildings, with a unique architecture that blends perfectly with modernity and urban art. Let yourself be seduced by this cosmopolitan and bohemian city that has so much to discover. After experiencing the excitement of the city, take the opportunity to relax in Viña del Mar, known as the "Garden of the City", where you can enjoy the green spaces and rest on its beaches. Viña del Mar is a city and municipality in Chile that is part of the Valparaíso conurbation. It is located in the region of Valparaíso in Chile. It is located 120 kilometers from Santiago de Chile by road 68. The city has a population of 324,836 inhabitants. It is a seaside city par excellence, surrounded by the cities of Valparaíso to the south, Concón to the north and Quilpué to the east.
An unforgettable experience: the Atacama Desert
There is no doubt that when you travel to Chile, the Atacama Desert is an experience not to be missed. It is considered the highest desert in the world and also the driest non-polar desert in the world. This place is rich in interesting archaeological and historical artifacts, salt marshes, geysers, volcanoes, as well as colorful lagoons and even green valleys. In addition to all the activities that you will enjoy during the day, you will be able to go on a stargazing expedition at night: a unique experience.
Let yourself be enchanted by the lakes of Puerto Varas.
If you want to live an adventure, you can't miss the Puerto Varas region and its surroundings. Puerto Varas is a city and municipality in Chile located in the province of Llanquihue in the Lakes Region, near Lake Llanquihue and in the south of the country. The population of the municipality was 37,569 inhabitants. The area of the municipality is 4,065 square kilometers, with a density of 9 inhabitants per square kilometer. Puerto Varas is located in Electoral District No. 56 and belongs to the 17th Senatorial Constituency. This small town invites you to take a walk and contemplate the Llanquihue Lake and the two volcanoes that can be reached by cable car. From here you can admire breathtaking landscapes from a privileged height. Let yourself be carried away by the tranquility that this place inspires, and take the opportunity to get to know the Chilean fauna and flora of the natural parks that surround this region. To finish the experience in Puerto Varas, you can't miss a boat ride on the lake, and enjoy the magnificent views of the city.
Easter Island: a destination to relax and much to discvero
Although it is far from its coasts, this island belongs to the territory of Chile and is a destination that deserves to be explored on its own. Several navigators have considered this island as the "navel of the world" having been inhabited by unique civilizations, which have left here cultural traces of their passage. The most emblematic is a set of votive statues up to 10 meters high, called moais. With its paradisiacal beaches of crystal clear blue and white sand, its caves to explore and its very rich coral reefs, this island is both paradisiacal and charming. Let yourself be carried away by the cultural experience and visit the village of Orongo, where you can see the ancient dwellings of the people who lived there. Be inspired by this country of contrasts, cultures and unique landscapes and make the trip of a lifetime. If you want to enjoy the best of Chile, join tours to discover this fantastic country and get ready to live impressive experiences.
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