Captivating Chile

During pre-Columbian days, Chile was a mix of various people from different ancient cultures. The topography was directly responsible for the character of the various groups, even to the extent of them being subject to the aggression of the Inca Indians. There were farmers to the north called Aymaras who tended herds of Llama and Alpaca while cultivating maize. The coastal areas primarily belonged to the fishermen, the mountain regions were home to Diaguita Indians, and the center and south were the Araucarian Indians territory.

By 1494, all of the territory to the west of Brazil had been given to Spain in accordance with the Spanish-Portuguese Treaty. Then, Pedro de Valdivia was given the task of conquering Chile. He reached the Mapocho Valley in 1541, which was the same year that Santiago, Chile was founded as well as other cities such as Concepcion, La Serena, Valdivia, Valparaiso, and Villarrica. Unfortunately, just a few years later, much of the native population was wiped out by infectious diseases. The Mestizo population, offspring of the Indian unions and Spanish, were forced into tenant laborers. These people lived in magnificent estates and even as recent as the 1960s, many of the people were still in existence.


Although serious unrest rocked Chile in the 1960s and 1970s, under new leadership, the copper economy began to rise. The country would again face problems with leadership in the late 1990s and early 2000s but today, Chile is fighting back to rebuild and doing quite well. When visiting Chile, you will discover many wonderful art galleries, museums, and a thriving theater scene. Folk music is also a huge obsession for the Chilean people. The food in Chile is also excellent although it varies significantly from one region to the next.

Some of the more popular dishes of Chile include Empanadas, which are large turnovers filled with various types of meats, vegetables, and various other fillings. Corn tamales, called Humitas, are also a favorite dish but these too vary in technique and filling based on the region in which they are made. The one dish that is standard in every home and restaurant is called Lomo a lo Pobre, which consists of a huge piece of beef that has been topped with two fried eggs and then covered with chips. Then, Curanto is an excellent stew made from chicken, beef, shellfish, lamb, pork, and potato, which is delicious.

The country of Chile is a narrow strip of land that extends more than 2,600 miles all the way from the north desert region to the south glacial region. The country is also bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes to the east. Argentina borders on the east while Bolivia and Peru to the north. The widest part of the country is just 124 miles and because Chile rises to almost 20,000 feet above sea level, you see amazing diversity through the land. For example, you could be looking up at snow-capped volcanoes and then down to deep river canyons.

The flora and fauna of Chile is amazing and diverse, much of it being protected by national park systems. Within the parks, you would find vicuna, a cousin of the llama, pelicans, penguins, flamingos, sea lions, and many other wonderful creatures. For plant life, there is the beautiful monkey-puzzle tree, cypress trees, rare alerce trees, and more. Again, because Chile has such unique and varied topography, the climate also varies depending on the region. While temperatures to the north are arid, in the heart of the country is a Mediterranean climate. However, if you head to the Chilean Patagonia, snow, wind, and rain are common.

Chile has some very, unique cities to include Santiago, which is actually a very modern city. There, you will discover a variety of street vendors, lively nightclubs, and fine restaurants. Just an hour away, you can enjoy activities to include whitewater rafting, pristine beaches, and great skiing. The city of La Serena is a magnificent beachside city for people who love spending time in the sun or participating in water sports. La Serena is also known for magnificent vineyards and a number of museums.

One of the most popular national parks in Chile is called Parque Nacional Puyehue, which is a wonderful place to visit. There are dense forests where puma live. Also in the forests, you will come upon some of the most amazing volcanic scenery, as well as abundant bird life. If you enjoy hiking, the national park also offers a number of nature trails, as well as thermal springs, waterfalls, and even ski resorts.

If getting off the beaten path is more to your liking, then you might consider a trip to Rapa Nui on Easter Island. Of all islands in the entire world, this one is rated the most remote inhabited island. Interestingly, when on the island of Rapa Nui, you could sail almost 1,200 miles in any direction and never spot inhabited land. Today, there are just 2,000 people living on Easter Island, most being of Polynesian descent. However, you can visit this isolated location and experience some of the most incredible and friendly people ever, while enjoying the mystery of the massive stone Moai.

Other activities commonly enjoyed in Chile include mountain biking, horseback riding, and climbing. Of course, there are a number of festivals such as the Fiestas Patrias held in September or the Fiesta de la Virgin del Rosario, one of the strangest of festivals in Chile but fun just the same. Although you would enjoy traveling to Chile throughout the year, your best time to travel is in the month of March when temperatures and climate is ideal. If you want to plan a trip to a country that is interesting, historical, and inviting, Chile is it!


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

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