This page has the most inportant information from my country..
| Climate | culture | Economy |
| Geography | Money | Population |
| Telephone | SANTIAGO | Things to Do in Santiago |
Climate:
Because of its great latitudinal range, Chile has a diversity of climates,
but, generally, temperatures are moderated by oceanic influences. The northern
region is almost entirely desert and is one of the driest areas in the world
while the southern region is cooler and experiences year-round rainfall.
Temperatures in the northern region are moderated by the presence of the
cold Peru, or Humboldt, Current. The average temperature in Santiago for
January is 19.5° C, and the average for July in Santiago is 8° C.
Temperatures decrease about 1° C for each 150 metre of altitude in the
Andes. Rainfall increases southward, and the central region experiences
a Mediterranean-like climate. It is the rainiest here in the winter months
(May to July), and precipitation ranges from an annual total of 356 mm at
Santiago to 12.7 mm at Antofagasta. Winters here are mild, and summers are
relatively cool. Strong winds and cyclonic storms are also common in the
southern region
Culture:
Chilean culture is dominated by two varied and interesting influences. One
is the cosmopolitan and sophisticated culture of the affluent urban population,
and the other is the culture of the peasants, which is primarily Spanish
but also contains nuances of the Araucanian. Chilean music and dance are
strongly influenced by the popular peasant culture. Chile also has a flourishing
literary tradition and has produced two Nobel Prize winners in literature,
Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda, both poets. Isabel Allende, also from
Chile, has written several, popular fictional stories, one of which, House
of the Spirits, was recently a movie with Meryl Streep. Chile's most important
cultural institutions are concentrated in the large cities of the central
region and include the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Historical
Museum, and the National Museum of Natural History in Santiago and the Natural
History Museum in Valparaíso.
Economy:
Chile is currently considered one of the strongest economies in Latin America
and is next in line for entry into NAFTA. Canada and Chile have also recently
signed a free trade agreement of their own. The Chilean economy is mostly
dominated by the production of copper, but, since the 1940s, the industrial
sector has expanded rapidly, largely due to government efforts at diversification.
In the 1970s, efforts were made to increase the output of the agricultural
sector and to reduce the country's dependence on imported food. Despite
a slow-down in the production of major crops in the early 1980s, agricultural
output improved later in the decade. Since the leftist administration was
deposed in 1973, the government has played a less dominant role in the economy,
and most nationalized companies have been returned to private ownership.
Geography:
The dominant physical feature of Chile is the Andes Mountain system, which
runs the entire length of the country, from the Bolivian plateau in the
north to Tierra del Fuego in the south. Chile can be divided longitudinally
into three zones: the Andean cordillera on the east; the low coastal mountains
on the west; and the plateau area, which includes the Central Valley, between
these ranges. Latitudinally, three major geographical and climatological
regions can be distinguished: the northern (arid), central (Mediterranean),
and southern (temperate marine) regions. The plateau area in the northern
region is occupied by the Atacama Desert, which contains vast nitrate fields
and rich mineral deposits. In the central region the plateau gives way to
a valley which is the most heavily populated area of the country. The fertile
area between the Aconcagua and Bío-Bío rivers forms the agricultural
heartland of Chile, and the central Andes are narrower in width and have
lower elevations than those in the north. The most important passes in the
Andes are located here, and the country's finest natural harbors are also
located in this region. Chile lies in a zone of geologic instability and
is subject to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Money:
The currency of Chile is the peso, and the exchange rate between it and
the US dollars usually hovers at 412 pesos = US$1. The Central Bank of Chile,
established in 1926, is the bank of issue. Normal banking hours are from
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Mondays through Fridays.
Population characteristics:
92% mestizo
6% Native American
2% European
Telephone:
Both ENTEL and CTC offer domestic and international calling at their offices
throughout the country. ENTEL's rates are often cheaper. Domestic calls
are inexpensive and cost about US$1 for three minutes. International calling
is very expensive, and credit card or calling card options are limited.
Santiago is one of South America's largest capital
cities with 4.5 million inhabitants. The town has been growing rapidly since
the 1970s, and even skyscrapers have emerged in the downtown area. Despite
the rapid industrialization of the capital, Santiago's atmosphere is beautiful
as it is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and rests in a deep-green valley.
Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia. Santiago was plagued
early in its history by floods, unsafe drinking water, and faulty communications
between the city and the country. However, by the 18th century, dikes and
improved roads controlled the development problems of the past. A railroad
linking Santiago to the port town of Valparaíso was established in
the 19th century, and Santiago's commerce and growth has shoot up drastically
ever since.
Santiago received a significant portion of its laborers in the 18th and 19th centuries from the rural poor, and the trend continues today. Despite the new demand for jobs created by industrialization, there were never quite enough positions to accommodate the supply of urban poor. The discontent continued to the 20th century, and, in the 1960s, increasing numbers of rural and urban poor created the squatter settlements around the edges of the capital. Even though many of the economic difficulties for the squatters have subsided in the last 20 years, the disparity between rich and poor continues to grow.
Santiago has a relaxed but entertaining cultural lifestyle. Several cultural centres including the Estación Mapocho, the Centro de Extensión, and the Instituto Chileno-Norteamericano de Cultura, present artistic and photographic exhibitions as well as provide forums for discussion on the arts and culture. The Museo de Santiago presents a neat, historical overview of the capital city, and interesting archictecture in the form of federal buildings abounds along the Plaza de Armas. For a bohemian taste of life, the Bellavista area is a fashionable and fun place to people-watch.
Santiago's crush of buildings in the downtown is nicely offset by the various parks and wide-open spaces throughout the town. Cerro Santa Lucía is full of gardens, footpaths, and fountains, but it is best to roam this area only during the day. For a great view of the city, head to Cerro San Cristóbal which is also part of the Parque Metropolitano. The various towns, wineries, and ski areas surrounding Santiago are easily accessible, generally inexpensive, and fantastic for a relaxing weekend after a long week of language study.
Santiago has cool, moderate weather, reaching a high of 19 degrees Celsius in January and a low of 8 degrees Celsius in July. The best time to study in Santiago is either spring or early fall, but, for skiing enthusiasts, the summer is perfect. Santiago is a pleasant area for language study not only due to its climate but also due to the friendliness of the local people. Homestays are excellent in Santiago, and students will often be invited to dinner by the people they meet on the streets every day!
Afternoon Activities
Check your school's bulletin boards or talk to the directors to find out
more information about these activities.
Jump into a soccer game, one of Chile´s most
popular sports.
People-watch and shop for the latest Chilean and European fashions in the
Bellavista.
Tour the bodegas (warehouses) of wine at the Viña Cousiño
Macul winery in town.
Catch a South American art film any night at the Cine Arte Normandie
Shop for lapis lazuli, pottery, and copperware at the old convent on Claustro
del 900.
Gain an understanding of Santiago´s geography at the Terraza Bellavista
Grab a morning coffee and pastry at the Pastelería Tout Paris.
Day-trips
These trips can be accomplished in one day, though they can also be spread
out over a weekend. Ask your school or one of the listed travel agents for
information.
Learn and buy from master potters in the dusty
village of Pomaire.
Hike in the Reserva Nacional Ró Clarillo, a tributary canyon of the
Cajón del Maipo.
Ski for a day (June - October only) at Farellones ski resort, just 45 km
from Santiago.
Visit the Parque Nacional la Campana, where Darwin had some of his most
memorable experiences climbing Cerro La Campana.
Weekend trips
These excursions need at least two, if not three, days to accomplish. Ask
your school or on one of the listed travel agents for information.
Enjoy the port town of Valparaíso where
you can visit the poet Neruda´s oceanside home and relax in Chile´s
premier beach resort, Viña del Mar. A great time to visit here is
in February when the Song Festival, a celebration of ostentatios Spanish
artists, kicks off.
For enterprising entrepreneurs, Rancagua is a great stop as it is the agricultural
centre for Chile and is rich in copper mines. Nearby is the Reserva nacional
de los Cipreses, an excellent side trip to see fox, condors, glacial valleys,
and volcanic formations.
White-water raft the Biobío and hike the Parque Nacional Laguna del
Laja. Both of these areas are close to the town of Los Angeles, a sleepy
area with a few budget hotels.
Fly 5 1/2 hours to Easter Island from Santiago to explore the colossal moai
sculpted from basalt and raised on stone platforms. The trip is expensive,
but definitely worth it.
For the truly adventurous, the Patagonia area of Chile is an exciting trip
of mountain climbing, glaciers, whale watching, and penguins. Traveling
in the Patagonia is expensive, and should be undertaken through a tour company.
