Chile is placed in fhe western margin of South America having a long and narrow territory, which extends about 4,200 kilometers from north to south between La COrdillera de Los Andes and the Pacific Ocean.
The average width of Chile is 250 kilometers,and the continental surface area is 756,945 Km.2. It also has 1.200000 square kilometers in the Antartic where there are four scientific bases for investigation. Isla de Pascua. or Easter island, also belongs to Chile, and is located about 3,000 kilometers from the coast in the Pacific Ocean. Juan Fernandez Island is situated just west of Valparolso and numerous other islands belong to Chile, also.
In its surface reilef there is a common factor throughout the length, which is the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Between them both are mountains. valleys, lakes, volcanoes, and other geographically important areas.
Chile has practically every cilmate possible. In the north from the border with Peru some 1.500 kilometers to the south is one of the most arid deserts in the world. This where the Andes have the highest altitudes- some summits reach 6,700 mts, above sea level. Extensive plains and intermediate vaileys, usually end in sheer cliffs at the ocean, The sporadic rains and snows that tall at these altitudes feed slight threads of water that join to crass the deserts and supply water to the cities and towns at the coast. Large copper gold. silver and sulfide reserves are found In these impressive mountains.
The first signs of real vegetation begin to appear in the altitude of La Serena, thanks to the rains that fall two or three times a year This zone is also called "Transverse ValleyZone.', because of the mountain chains, that come down from the Andes and run from east to west forming many valleys, The concentration of cities and towns grow and some agriculture is possible.
From the Aconcogua river to Puerto Montt there is a longitudinal voile some 1,200 kilometers long that lies between Andes mountains to the east and the coastal cordilleras that run parallel and which form this valley, the most fertile and populated of all Chile. Practically 80% of the population lives here. The average rainfall becomes higher the further south you go. Also, agriculture has higher yields, and large rivers, lakes, and forests begin to appear The coast is spotted with long beaches and Spectacular views, and the Andes offer excellent winter sports areas during the May through October ski season.
From Puerto Montt to the south the territory breaks up and its features totally change Thoosands of islands. canals, fiords, abrubt mountains. immense glaciers and torrential rivers in virgen forests that reach the edge of the ocean make a incalculably beautiful scenery In the extreme south of Tierra del Fuego are immense Patagonian steppes. which extend into Argentina.
The first european to arrive in Chile was Diego do Almargro in 1536. He is called the "discoverer of Chile" At that time. the territory was occupied by native tribes who put up a strong opposition to Almagro. It didn't matter though because the news reports by Almagro about this newly discovered area led him to believe that there was no gold or riches like those found in Peru or Mexico, so he ended his adventure. Later, general Pedro do Valdivia sent 150 men and advanced to the south and founded various cities, like La Serena. Santiago (1541). Nueva imperial. Valdivia and other minor ones. Pedro Valdivia ran into strong resistence from the araucano indians, who never submitted to the Spanish crown until 400 years later This permanent war occasionally caused enormous losses to the Spanish crown and the Chilean Realm and made it "the most expensive of the conquered territories~. Only since the end of the past century has there been a firm peace between the Mapuche indians. to the point of their being involved in the political. economic. and social lite of the country.
Bernardo 0'Higgins was proclaimed "Supreme Director" in 1817 after many bloody battles against the loyal forces at the Spanish crown. Chilean Independence was signed on Frebruary 12,1818.
Chile has one of the most solid economies of south America. whore 14 million inhab- itants have more opportunities everyday to progress and raise their standard of living. The tourist infrastructure offers great possibilities 'to travel and to know Chile in every region.
Picture to Chile