Geographical position
The Republic of Chile is located in the southwest of South America, between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes ridges. The height of the Andes in some places in northern Chile reaches 6880 m. The highest point in the country is Mount Ojos del Salado (6893 m) on the border with Argentina. There are many volcanoes throughout the country. In the area of the island of Tierra del Fuego there is an extensive system of fjords. Between the ridges of the Andes is the Longitudinal Valley, which is the main economic region of the state.
Mainland Chile shares borders with Argentina, Peru and Bolivia. The western part of the country is washed by the Pacific Ocean.
The capital of Chile is Santiago (4.6 million inhabitants). The area of the republic is 756.6 thousand square meters. km. The length of Chile from the city of Arica, located in the north, to Cape Horn in the south is 4025 km.
The Republic of Chile has access to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Magellan.
Chile owns several small islands in the Pacific Ocean. These are: Easter Island, the Sala y Gomez Islands, San Felix, San Ambrosio, the Juan Fernandez Island group, and the Diego Ramirez Islands, which are located 100 km southwest of Cape Horn.
By latitude, the country's territory is divided into three regions, which have different climates and topography. These are: Northern Desert (Atacama desert region), Central Chile (Andean highlands) and Southern Chile (hilly zone of dense forests in the foothills of the Southern Andes with narrow straits and mountainous islands in the far south). Chile is the longest and narrowest country on the planet. In addition, it is also the southernmost country in the world, because... located just 900 km from Antarctica. The Chilean city of Puerto Williams is considered the southernmost city on the planet. The Atacama Desert is the driest place on earth.
Almost all rivers in the country belong to the Pacific Ocean basin. The largest river in the middle part of the country is the Bio-Bio. The largest lakes in Chile are Llanquihue and Ranco. The Patagonian lakes are located in the eastern foothills of the Andes, on the border with Argentina. For this reason, most of them have double names: Chilean and Argentine.
The climate in Chile is quite diverse: tropical desert in the north, Mediterranean in the center and temperate oceanic in the south. This is due to the large extent of the country from north to south. Climate zones can be divided into three groups. In the north of the country, a tropical, desert type of climate predominates. The northern region of the country is considered one of the driest places in the world. Under the influence of the Humboldt Current, the temperature there softens.
In Santiago in January the temperature ranges from 12°C to 29°C, and in July - from 3°C to 15°C.
The central part of Chile is dominated by a temperate oceanic climate. The air temperature in these places ranges from +3-12 in winter to +22 °C in summer. In this case, precipitation falls from 100 to 800 mm. per year, mainly in winter. On mountain slopes up to an altitude of 1 thousand m above sea level, the amount of precipitation can reach up to 2500 mm. in year.
The high mountainous regions of the country have a cooler climate than the coastal plain. Here the temperature even in summer may not exceed +3 °C, and in winter it drops to -27 °C) and there is an insignificant amount of precipitation. To the south there are colder regions, where it even snows sometimes.
The average annual temperature in the city of Punta Arenas is around 7°C.
Easter Island has a mild subtropical hot climate. The coolest time here is from July to August. The average monthly air temperature is +18° C. The hottest month is February with an average temperature of + 24° C. On this island, the greatest part of the precipitation will fall in May. It is cold in the Strait of Magellan area and on the island of Tierra del Fuego. Strong winds blow there and there is little precipitation.
The best time to visit Santiago and the central region of Chile is from September to November. It is better to go to Easter Island in March, and to the ski resorts in June-August.
Chile is one of the countries in Latin America with the highest quality roads. In addition, this country has a fairly extensive railway network and convenient air connections.
Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport is located 26 km west of Santiago.
To travel around the city, tourists can use buses. They are colored yellow-white. However, the movement speed is low. In addition, city buses are not very comfortable.
Intercity buses are offered by several companies in all cities of the country. The level of service is quite high, they come regularly.
The capital has a metro with three lines. It should be noted that the metro there is distinguished by its speed, cleanliness, safety and cheapness. On weekdays and Saturdays, the metro is open from 6:30 to 22:30, on Sundays and holidays - from 8:00 to 22:30.
Taxis are quite popular in Chile. To make them easy to recognize, these cars are brightly colored: black underneath and yellow on top. Each car is equipped with a meter and has its own registration number. Chilean taxi drivers are distinguished by their politeness.
Railways stretch from Santiago to the south of the country. Pass through cities such as: Rancagua, Talca, Chillan, Concepcion and to the final station - Temuco. Chilean trains have several types of passenger cars. They vary in degree of comfort. Train delays occur quite often in the country.
Tourists in Chile can also rent a car. A large number of different companies do this. The driver must be at least 21 years old and not older than 75. He must have a passport, an international driving license and a credit card that will serve as a guarantee.
Some companies offer such a convenient service as returning a car in any city in the country. You need to know that when returning the car, it must have the same level of fuel with which it was rented.
Most often, renting a car includes unlimited mileage, insurance, 24-hour rental, a child seat, a trunk, equipment for transporting skis, as well as a rope and a map.
In Chile, the driver and passenger must always wear seat belts. Smoking and using a cell phone or player while driving is prohibited. Chilean drivers often use their left hand to further indicate their intentions. If traffic rules have been violated, the driver will lose his license and will have to meet with a judge. In Chile, checking driver's licenses and documents quite often happens on the roads. Drunk driving is considered a serious offense. You will have to pay a large fine for it. Such a driver may even be arrested.
If necessary, tourists also have the opportunity to rent a car with a driver. However, you need to know that the payment will be higher if the driver speaks one of the European languages.
Maritime transport is of great importance, providing 95% of the country’s total foreign trade turnover. Large ports: Huasco, Valparaiso, Tocopilla.
Minerals
Chile has a large amount of mineral resources. Among industrialized and developing countries, the country ranks first in terms of reserves of copper (over 97 million tons) and saltpeter. The country ranks second after America in molybdenum reserves. Chile is in 3rd place after Iraq and the United States in terms of sulfur reserves. Molybdenum reserves amount to 2,500 thousand tons. The country also has reserves of gold, silver, rare earth elements, lithium, iron, coal, and natural gas. On Tierra del Fuego there are oil and gas fields (oil - 51 million tons, gas - 70 billion m 3). Coal deposits (Lota, Coronel, etc.) are located near the city of Concepcion. The total reserves are 3.9 billion tons. The coal mined is mainly brown coal of low quality. Table salt, sodium nitrate and iodine salts, manganese, molybdenum, tungsten, zinc and aluminum are mined in the foothill depressions.
Agriculture
Only 8% of the country's area is occupied by crop cultivation. Approximately 3/4 of the cultivated land is devoted to grains and vegetables. Main crops: wheat, barley, oats, potatoes and sugar beets. Methods of cultivating the land and harvesting are quite primitive. However, the wheat harvest is high. Wheat crops occupy almost half of the arable land in Central Chile. Corn (maize) is a traditional feed crop in Chile. Clover, alfalfa, vetch, legumes, rice and pepper are also grown in the country. Fruit grows in the northern part of Central Chile. Vineyards occupy 2% of the total area of cultivated land. They are located mainly in the provinces of Talca, Santiago and Linares. Chile sells wines for export to the United States and Europe.
Livestock farming is quite important for the country's economy. The southern part of Central Chile mainly raises cattle and dairy animals. Sheep farming is carried out mainly in the far south of the country, in the Punta Arenas region.
Healthcare
To travel to Chile, tourists are recommended to take out international health insurance. To protect your health, it is best to get vaccinated against tetanus and hepatitis. Sometimes epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis are recorded in the country. Chagas disease can occur in rural areas of Chile. Other diseases spread by insects are virtually absent in Chile. Occasionally, cases of rabies infection may occur.
The milk sold in Chile is pasteurized and is safe to drink even when not pasteurized. The only exception is some remote mountainous areas of the country. Meat and fish must be heat treated. Pork, salad and sauces may pose some risk. Vegetables should be washed thoroughly before use. It is best to peel fruits and vegetables. All water must be boiled.
The countries of Latin America are a relatively new tourist destination and, unlike the resorts of the Caribbean, a fairly small number of Russian tourists come here on vacation. Chile is one of them. We primarily associate this state with the bloody dictator Pinochet, and also with very hot pepper. But the years
they are coming, the military junta has been defeated, and chili peppers can be avoided or consumed in moderation. But the amazing beauty of nature, the wonders of architecture and the mysteries of bygone civilizations remain and attract inquisitive travelers.
Tours to Chile rarely go without visiting the strange stone moai statues on the shore. Scientists still cannot come to a consensus about what religious beliefs gave rise to these sculptures and, most importantly, how the ancient islanders brought them to the shores from the quarries. “As a child, we were taught at school that there is no country more wonderful than Chile,” says the song based on the poems of Pablo Neruda. This phenomenal state lies in almost all climatic zones of the planet, and you can drive from the subequatorial jungle to the tundra without crossing
The capital of Chile, Santiago, cannot, of course, compare with Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires, where many buildings of colonial architecture have been preserved, but this city has its own “face”, its own special charm. Many travelers consider it as a simple transit point to immediately go to Patagonia or to Patagonia. However, there is a reason to stay here for a few days. Santiago is surrounded on all sides by a crown of majestic mountain peaks.
The Andes not only form a unique microclimate, but also serve as a place of recreation for the residents of the capital: mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking, and even snowboarding. Having plowed the snow-covered slopes to your heart's content, and feeling a little chilled, you can go to the beach, since the capital of Chile lies just an hour's drive from the sea. Having become acquainted with the natural beauties of the surroundings of Santiago, you need to pay due attention to the architectural sights of the city.
All excursion tours usually begin from the Plaza de Armas - the Square of Arms, from which the capital of Chile began. In 1541, the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia built an arsenal on this site because he felt uncomfortable among the local population. Since that time, the square has also been a market; festivals and even bullfights have been held there. Nowadays fountains gurgle here, and only the bronze statue of a conquistador reminds of the
dumbfounded. La Chascona is a must on your Santiago excursion program. This poet’s house fully reflects his character: here you will not find straight walls and right angles, but only a complex interweaving of flights of stairs, garden paths and secret passages.
The capital of Chile is also famous for another building - La Moneda Palace. Coins were once minted here (hence the name), but later a presidential palace was built here. It was he who was bombed by the Pinochet junta in 1973, as a result of which the palace was partially destroyed. A monument has now been erected in front of the government residence building. If you wish, you can get inside the building or simply limit yourself to observing the ceremonial changing of the guard to the beat of drums and music.
As soon as our plane began to descend and the snow-capped peaks of the Andes appeared, I could no longer tear myself away from the window!
Such a mysterious and such a distant country of Chile. But whoever decides to conquer it, I assure you, will definitely not be disappointed. With a length of more than 4,000 km and a width not exceeding 430 km, the territory of Chile stretches in a narrow strip in South America, sandwiched between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. Without leaving the borders of one state, you can soak up the sun on the beaches of the Pacific coast and ski at first-class ski resorts, see the amazing landscapes of the Atacama Desert and enjoy the views of the lakes and volcanoes of Chile, watch the life of king penguins on Tierra del Fuego and admire the size of the glaciers of Patagonia . And if all this is accompanied by a glass of first-class Chilean wine...
Easter Island
It is the most remote island in the world where people live, and is known to us thanks to its stone idols - moai. You can find a detailed history of this island and practical information in another.
Tierra del Fuego
This romantic name was given to the island by Ferdinand Magellan. Or rather, its name was no less romantic Tierra del Umo (Land of Smoke), because of the smoke that rose from the fires of the local residents. The navigator mistook the fires for fires of volcanic origin. Later the island was given the name Tierra del Fuego ().
This island is divided between two countries - Chile and Argentina. The Argentine part is more popular, however, the Chileans also offer quite interesting one-day tours. You can buy it from numerous agencies in Punta Arenas. It will cost you about $80 per person. I do not recommend doing this in advance via the Internet, since ferries may be canceled due to strong winds. The journey takes from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on where you cross the Strait of Magellan. Tierra del Fuego is usually visited because of the colony of king penguins that live on the island. It is simply impossible to get close to them in the National Park, but watching these important individuals, of which there are a lot, and lying on the grass, escaping from the strongest, knocking down winds, is an adventure that you will never forget. And the fact that you are at the ends of the earth? Pack your bags, friends!
Chiloe
The island of Chiloe is part of the Chilean archipelago and until the mid-19th century was practically isolated from the mainland, which allowed the formation of a unique culture, unlike the rest of the country. These places are very humid and rainy, so the best time to visit is from November to March.
From Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, which, by the way, also deserve your attention, you can buy a one-day tour to the island of Chiloe. It costs about $50 and includes an introduction to the cities of Chacao and Castro or Ancud to choose from. The town of Kastro is the administrative center of the island and is famous for its houses on stilts - palafitos. There were once similar houses in Ancud, but the powerful earthquake of 1960 destroyed most of them. But the city has several beautiful beaches and the San Antonio fortress, built in 1770. And excursion bureaus from Ancud offer tours to the natural penguin park Puñihuil, which is located in a small bay.
You can save money in the standard way, without buying a tour, go by bus. So, let’s say a ticket from Puerto Montt to Castro, including ferry crossing, will cost 6,500 pesos ($10) and will take about 3.5 hours. And from here buses, sometimes in combination with ferries, go to any point, including neighboring islands.
Top attractions
Due to the endless struggle of the Spanish conquistadors with local Indians for three hundred years and countless earthquakes, Chile cannot boast of an abundance of historical monuments. But thanks to the variety of climatic conditions, it is ready to offer the sophisticated tourist many national natural parks and other natural beauties.
- Geysers of El Tatio(géiseres el tatio) are considered the third largest in the world and are the highest - 4300 meters above sea level. You can get here from San Pedro de Atacama, but you should arrive before 5 am. The most beautiful time is before dawn, when geysers throw water up to a height of 30 meters. But it should be noted that the temperature in the morning can reach -10 degrees. So don't forget to dress warmly. And keep in mind that at this altitude you may be susceptible to altitude sickness.
- If you want to see Moon Valley(valle de la Luna), then welcome again to the Atacama Desert. I think this is great - why go to the moon when it is cheaper and easier to see a similar landscape in Chile. There are sand dunes, oddly shaped rocks, and dry salt lakes. Typically, excursions begin in the afternoon so that when you finish trekking, you can enjoy a surreal sunset.
- And in order not to go far from the desert, visit Salar de Atacama(Salar de Atacama). This 3,000 km² salt marsh is one of the largest in the world and has several lagoons filled with water. In one of these you will feel like you are in the Dead Sea, where the concentration of salt is so high that it prevents you from submerging in the water and you dangle like a float.
- The Chilean land is rich in volcanoes, but the most famous of them are Villarrica(Villarica) and Osorno(Osorno). Both of them are operational, which does not prevent tourists from offering a fairly large selection of entertainment: hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, mountaineering and winter sports, depending on the time of year. Around volcanoes, as a rule, there are national natural parks where you can get acquainted with a variety of flora and fauna. Well, the best time to tickle your nerves by sliding down the crater of an active volcano on skis or snowboard is in July or August.
Weather
The elongation of the country, as well as the proximity of the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, determine the climate of Chile. Therefore, from north to south it differs dramatically. Do not forget that the country is located in the Southern Hemisphere, which means that summer here lasts from the end of December to the end of March, and winter, on the contrary, occurs in June, July and August.
The coastal areas of the north are characterized by cool and dry weather, slightly warmer in the summer. And the Peruvian Current in the part of the Pacific Ocean washing the shores of Chile makes swimming uncomfortable even in the most intense heat. But it allows you to see the penguins that live in northern Chile!
In the central part of the country, where the capital is located, all four seasons are distinguished. And no matter how Latin America is associated with endless warmth and sun, warm weather lasts only from November to March, and even then it is accompanied by a sharp change in temperature day and night, which cannot be ignored. That’s why it’s so easy to meet girls in boots and jackets on the street in 30-degree heat. Winter is not so much cold as it is rainy and damp. And the lack of heating in houses makes this time unattractive for tourists. It only attracts winter sports enthusiasts. Where else can you go skiing and snowboarding when the rest of the world is in hot summer?
In the south of Chile (and the south is considered to be the territory south of Santiago, up to Patagonia), the climate is more familiar to residents of the central part of Russia: summers are not very hot, accompanied by rains, which become more frequent towards winter.
In Patagonia, you can see all four seasons in one day, and high in the mountains snow can fall regardless of the season. Therefore, if you are planning to conquer the mysterious land even in the middle of summer, expect that you will need a fairly warm jacket during the day.
Money
The country's national banknote is the Chilean peso. You may encounter banknotes in denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 and 20,000 pesos and coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos. I was never able to find a use for the 1, 5 and 10 pesos coins, considering that on average prices start at 100 pesos. For example, a 0.5 liter bottle of water will cost 600 pesos. Please note that the peso sign is the same as the dollar sign so you won't be shocked at the store.
You can exchange currency at banks, which close early, or at currency exchange offices, which are usually open late and are found where tourists are found. In any case, it is better to bring dollars. They are quite often accepted as payment in tourist places. Other types of currencies are quite difficult to exchange, only in large cities.
Where there are ATMs, and this is quite common, you can withdraw money from the card. The commission will cost $5-7. The only negative is the limit on the number of banknotes you can withdraw per day - up to 200,000 pesos (about $300).
Moving around the country
As we have already learned, Chile is an elongated country, attractions are scattered throughout the country, and, accordingly, long distances will have to be covered.
- It's easier and faster to do it by plane. The two main airlines serving domestic flights are LATAM and Sky Airline. The latter is positioned as a low-cost airline. And both companies often organize special, very good promotions - so, by monitoring tickets three or four months before the intended trip, you can buy, for example, a ticket Santiago - San Pedro de Atacama - Santiago for $40 instead of the usual $120. In general, plane tickets are very, very expensive.
- Rent automobile You can visit the representative offices of one of the international companies or use the services of a local one, which is always cheaper. Renting a small car is not the best option; you are probably going on a trip not to the cities of Chile, but to sights that are sometimes not so easy to get to. Therefore, a jeep or camioneta, as this type of car is called here. Again, diesel is better - a liter of gasoline will cost you from $1. Rent - from $50-80 per day with insurance. Prices for different car models can be found at. Keep in mind that companies may block a certain amount on the card as collateral. They can provide you with a car if you are over 21 years old, but if you are over 25, you can save a lot. Plus the cost of toll roads and the fact that it is impossible to travel completely across the country from north to south due to glaciers in Patagonia, you will have to go to Argentina. The only positive thing is that you don’t need an international license; you can drive on Russian ones, because Chile is a party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. And as a rule, Chileans are not interested in driving experience. In general, it’s worth rethinking the feasibility of renting. Maybe a plane and a glass of Chilean wine with dinner would be better?
Connection
There are three major mobile operators in Chile - Entel, Movistar and Claro. In terms of coverage area, the first company is preferable, but keep in mind that in a country covered length and breadth by cordilleras, it is not possible to get a connection everywhere.
You can buy a SIM card at any mobile phone store. There are two types of tariffs - contract (planes), available only to residents of the country, and prepaid (prepago), available to everyone, you only need a passport. As the name implies, the principle of operation is this: we put money into the account and use it. As a rule, the more you put in, the cheaper the calls will be. You can purchase additional options in separate packages (bolsas), for example, an Internet package. Lately, traffic to all social networks and WhatsApp is free.
Language and communication
In my mind there has always been the idea that Latin America is dominated by Spanish, with the exception of Brazil with its own destiny. This is due to the Spanish colonial past. And its characteristics are quite clear. But because of these features, neighboring countries cannot understand Chilean friends! And a real Chilean will recognize a relative anywhere in the world. So if you think (like me) that you speak Spanish, you risk not understanding a word from a native Chilean. The so-called Chilinisms are to blame.
If some words, such as “bakan”, “la raja” (excellent, wonderful), “altiro” (quickly, immediately), “fome” (boring) and many others have a more or less clear translation, then find a suitable explanation for the word "weón" is impossible. Used in both good and bad senses. They use it everywhere and through the word, all that remains is to guess the meaning of the phrase. Also very Chilean and interesting for the Russian ear is the question word “cachai?” (“download?”), which can be translated as “got it?”. All these words are widely used in everyday speech and on television.
Many fruits and vegetables have a name that is different from the Spanish one. So strawberry is not “fresa”, but “frutilla”, peach is not “melocotón”, but “durazno”, cabbage is not “col”, but “repollo”, beets are not “remolacha”, but “betarraga”. So my advice is to stock up on a Spanish-Chilean dictionary, it will be much easier.
Another feature of spoken Chilean is the particle "poh". Don't think that these guys don't give a damn, it's correct to read it as "by". The particle has no meaning, but here and there you hear instead of “Si” - “Si poh” (“si po”), which means “yes”.
But if you don't speak Spanish at all, and you're in the middle of nowhere where they don't speak English, then the following words and phrases will help you a little:
- Hola! What do you think? (ola! como estas?) = hello! How are you?
- Si / No (si / but) = yes / no
- Gracias (gracias) = thank you
- Pequeño / Grande (pequeño / grande) = small / large
- Frio / Caliente (frio / caliente) = cold / hot
- Qué? / Porque? (ke?/ spanking?) = what? / Why?
- No hablo español (but ablo español) = I don't speak Spanish
- No entiendo (but entiendo) = I don’t understand
- Donde esta restaurante/ supermercado/ baño? (donde esta restaurante/ super mercado/ bagno?) = where is the restaurant/ supermarket/ toilet?
- Cuanto cuesta? (quanto questa?) = how much does it cost?
Features of mentality
Arriving in Chile for the first time, I noted how close the Chileans are to us, and these are residents of almost the most distant country from us. Having lived here, of course, you notice our differences, but they are not as strong as with the inhabitants of Europe, for example. So, about the distinctive features.
Chileans are very cheerful and optimistic people who love their country very much. Every time they meet, they will definitely kiss you, which is what they expect from you. And it doesn’t matter whether you came to a friends party or to a dance class where you see everyone for the first time - you are connected by a common cause. It’s normal to hear on a bus, for example, how some passenger says hello and is interested in the driver’s affairs - that’s how polite they are.
Residents of Chile, of course, are good family men, although they are not necessarily married. Divorce in this country has been allowed recently, apparently, this influenced the fact that, as a rule, brides and grooms have adult sons and daughters - they test their feelings, so to speak, for a long time. In general, people here really love their children, mothers and other relatives.
Local residents are not known for their punctuality - they are always late, everywhere. You can only come to terms with this and understand if you were told “tomorrow” - this could mean the day after tomorrow and next week or never, since Chileans do not know how to say “no”. They will come up with something, make excuses, but not because they are so bad, but because they do not want to offend you with a refusal.
Among the interesting features, it is impossible not to note that these guys never take off their street shoes when they come home. And it doesn't matter what's going on on the street. Very often in apartments and houses there are nanas - women who help with housework, cleaning and cooking. This phenomenon is common and is not at all an indicator of high income.
In general, anyone will get the impression of the friendliness and openness of these people. Smile, thank, prove to them that we are not at all as cold as they think about us in Latin America.
Food and drink
In Chile, two cuisines dominate almost equally - Chilean and Peruvian. If the first one is simple, then the second one can be called more sophisticated, which is probably why it is so popular in the country. And there are almost more restaurants serving Peruvian cuisine than local ones. Although Chilean is very different depending on the region - in the south, the homeland of the Mapuche Indians, it is more authentic.
If breakfast and lunch are familiar to us, then instead of dinner, Chileans prefer “once” - a meal around seven o’clock in the evening, a kind of afternoon snack. Usually for this they buy a large amount of white bread - marracheta and eat it with avocado, ham and cheese. In general, it is worth noting that they are not at all adherents of a healthy diet and happily consume huge portions of buns, French fries, pizza, washed down with various sodas. Such nutrition cannot but affect the shape of the local population, although they try to actively engage in sports.
And I have never seen such a variety of seafood in any country in the world, all because the Pacific coast covers the entire territory. Shrimp, mussels, oysters, sea urchins and scallops, many types of fish will be prepared for you in any form. It is better to buy such products in markets, although there are special seafood stores everywhere where you will always find fresh goods. In a restaurant, the average bill for two will be 40,000-60,000 pesos ($60-90). But there are also simpler establishments - picadas with home cooking, where it is not so pompous, but tasty and the prices are more reasonable - the bill for two is 20,000-40,000 ($30-60). As a rule, before meals they always bring bread with pebre sauce made from tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro and olive oil with lime juice. You can eat in peace - you don’t have to pay for it. But if you liked the service, it’s worth leaving a tip - 10% of the amount. If you don't have change, don't worry, they can be included when you pay by credit card.
Shopping
Chile is hardly suitable for shopping. Of course, here you will find all the world's famous brands, but, firstly, only in the largest cities, and secondly, the prices leave much to be desired. The country cannot be called cheap, and accordingly, prices for world brands are high. But if you need to buy something, then you should choose one of the three largest retail chains - Ripley, Paris, Falabella. These stores are present throughout the country and sell almost everything, including clothing, sports equipment, electronics, furniture, and household goods. Each of the networks has its own Visa or MasterCard, keep in mind that almost all discounts (and they are sometimes up to 90%) are on these cards. But you shouldn’t look for Tax Free in Chile, it simply doesn’t exist here.
From everything we conclude that it is better to limit ourselves to buying souvenirs, while leaving the rest of the shopping to the recognized leaders in this matter. As a rule, finding souvenirs in tourist regions is not difficult. If this is a market, bargaining is welcome; if this is a store with fixed prices, you understand.
There is no particular ban on exporting anything from the country, and there will not be much checking. It’s better to worry about how to bring it to us. For example, the Chilean side is unlikely to limit you in the amount of alcohol or the availability of coca leaf tea, but Russian or European customs officers will probably have many questions. And maybe not only questions.
Safety
Chile is one of the safest countries in Latin America. But as anywhere else, in crowded places, scammers can operate, so you should be attentive to your belongings and wallets. The center of Santiago and the port city of Valparaiso are considered unfavorable areas, where you should not walk alone in the evenings and at night and do not bring trouble with jewelry.
Natural disasters are much more dangerous for this country. This is how Chile pays for the amazing landscapes it has:
- Volcanic eruption. A large number of volcanoes in the country are accompanied by a special warning system - volcano traffic lights. If the light is green, there is nothing to worry about. Yellow - Prepare essentials, including documents and water, and listen for information. A red light means immediate evacuation. There are signs everywhere indicating a safe route.
- Forest fires usually occur in the central region due to dry summers.
- Heavy rainfall may result in flooding in some regions of the country.
- Chile is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. Thus, the strongest earthquake in the world was recorded in the Chilean city of Valdivia in 1960 - 9.5 points on the Richter scale. But, as a rule, tremors of 5-6 points are practically the norm, and this does not affect local residents. But those who are not used to it will be scared, I assure you. You should know that buildings are built using a special “flexible” technology, so during earthquakes they can sway strongly, but they are strong and will not collapse. And yet, before the trip, it is worth refreshing your memory of the school curriculum on the basics of life safety, the section “my actions during an earthquake.”
- Earthquakes provoke tsunamis, and almost more people die from this. With such a threat, coastal areas are always evacuated. In any case, in dangerous areas you can find special street signs indicating that you should not be in this part of the city when there are large waves.
It is worth noting that the sun in Chile is very dangerous, due to its proximity to the ozone hole and strong ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, be sure to use sunscreen even if you want to tan. The sun here is “burning” and not “sunbathing”, unfortunately.
5 things you must do in this country
Although church in Chile was separated from state under the 1925 constitution, more than 80% of the population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. Typically, the church rarely interfered in the political life of the country, but since the late 1960s, following the instructions of papal encyclicals on social issues, as well as under the influence of the social trends of European Catholicism, the Chilean church began to play an important role in carrying out social reforms in the country, and the number of There has been a noticeable increase in socially active clergy.
Some clergy contributed to the growth of the influence of the Christian Democratic Party. In 1970, the Catholic Church of Chile officially declared its rejection of capitalism and renounced all its securities, as well as its profitable lands and properties. After 1973, the church condemned torture, murder and kidnapping.
In addition to Catholics, in Chile there are influential groups of Protestants (according to the 1992 census, they make up 13% of the population) and adherents of Judaism. The significant influence of the Protestant Church is explained by the strong support from Great Britain and the presence in the country of a number of educational institutions and social institutions founded by North American religious organizations.
Official currency The official currency of Chile is the Chilean Peso (Ch$, CLP), equal to 100 centavos. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000 pesos, as well as coins in 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 pesos. Mains voltage Electrical voltage: 220 Volts. Climate Due to its large extent from north to south, Chile has a fairly varied climate. The northern region is one of the driest in the world, but temperatures there are moderated by the influence of the Humboldt Current. The average monthly temperature in January in the city of Antofa Gasta is about 20 C, the average temperature in July is about 13 C. In Santiago, the January temperature ranges from 12 C to 29 C, and the July temperature - from 3 C to 15 C. Further south, the temperature drops, and in There are snowfalls in some places. The average annual temperature in Punta Arenas is about 7 C. Easter Island has an even subtropical climate, quite hot. The Strait of Magellan area and the island of Tierra del Fuego are cold, with strong winds and little rainfall.
Finance
What money to take with you It is possible to pay for goods and services in US dollars. Where to change Money can be exchanged at banks or exchange offices (“casas de cambios”). It is quite possible to exchange with private money changers - their exchange rate is usually 10 percent more favorable, but this form of exchange cannot be recommended as a permanent one - cases of fraud are not uncommon here.Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 14.00. Exchange offices are open from 9.00 to 19.00 daily.
Credit cards Large stores, restaurants and hotels accept credit cards from the world's leading systems for payment. Traveler's checks can be exchanged at banks (departments that deal with traveler's checks are usually open here only until noon) or at exchange offices (usually there is a better rate here). To avoid additional exchange costs, it is recommended to take traveler's checks in US dollars with you. In the provinces, the use of non-cash means of payment is problematic. Shopping In Chile you can buy a variety of souvenirs. First of all, these are silver jewelry of the Mapuche Indians and items made of lapis lazuli, a bluish stone that is found only in Chile. Souvenirs from the Indians of the north of the country resemble the handicrafts of the Peruvian Indians. There is also a great variety of copper crafts here - it’s not for nothing that Chile is the largest exporter of this metal (about 40% of global turnover). As for light industry products, they are traditionally of high quality and are in deserved demand far beyond Latin America. The most popular shopping centers in Santiago are Parque Arauco and Las Condes.
It is customary to bargain in markets. Shops are usually open from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 20.00. On Saturdays, shops close at lunchtime. They don't work on Sundays.
Tips Tips are about 10% of the amount indicated on the bill. In taxis, it is customary to round up fares. Cost of food Lunch in a middle-class restaurant will cost 600-800 rubles. Taxi services Taxi services are a very popular mode of transport in the country. It can be immediately recognized by its bright color: black bottom and yellow top. Each car has a registration number and a meter. Politeness and attentiveness are the main features of Chilean taxi drivers. Smoking is prohibited in public transport (including taxis). Public transport City buses are easily recognized by their bright yellow and white colors. In general, minibuses, taxis and collectivos travel around the city. From the point of view of speed of movement and comfort (especially during rush hours), this is not the best way to travel.
Minibuses and collectivos travel along set routes. Mainly around the city and short distances between villages, city districts, and the metropolis. A minibus is a minibus for 20 people. It costs the least. In addition, they are quite comfortable and wear quickly.
Collectivos are ordinary passenger cars, black and yellow in color, and they are usually parked at bus stops. They, like minibuses, travel along a given route and cost a little more than a minibus. The distances are approximately the same, but the difference is in comfort and speed. It is almost impossible to hitchhike a collectivo; you need to go to their parking lot.
Metro Santiago is a standard of cleanliness and excellent service. It is a fast, safe and cheap form of transport. It opened on September 15, 1975. At the moment, it has 5 lines, 89 stations, of which 61 are underground, the rest are ground or on overpasses. The total length is 84.4 km. Metro operating hours: on weekdays and Saturdays - from 6:30 to 22:30, on Sundays and holidays - from 8:00 to 22:30.
Car rental It is very convenient to rent a car. On average, a second class “B” car will cost $52 per day or $288 per week excluding VAT. In order to rent a car, you must be over 21 years old, have a passport, an international driving license and a credit card.
You can rent a car with a driver, but then you will need to pay another $36 for the driver (for 9 hours) and $54 if, in addition to Spanish, the driver can speak another European language.
Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and passengers. Smoking or using a cell phone or player while driving is prohibited.
If you are driving in Chile, be aware that traffic is quite fast. Try to follow traffic rules, especially traffic lights and yield signs. If you are in the city, stay away from city buses... Just in case. In Santiago they can be recognized by their “combat” yellow and white coloring.
Almost constantly, Chilean drivers, like all Latin Americans, use their left hand as an additional indicator of their intentions (i.e. “pass”, “stop”, “don’t drive”, etc.). If you violate traffic rules, your license will be revoked and you will be given an appointment with a judge. Be sure to keep your license and car documents with you: checks on the roads in Chile are quite frequent. Drunk driving is a very serious offense for which you can be fined or even arrested, depending on your level of intoxication.
customs control
When entering Chile, all foreign citizens must fill out a single declaration - customs and sanitary control services. Since sanitary control is mandatory for all persons without exception, and customs control is carried out simultaneously with it, in practice all passengers go through it as well. The procedure is carried out by inspecting luggage using an X-ray machine and, at the discretion of the employees of the mentioned services, manually.
Indication of knowingly false information in the customs declaration is grounds for imposing a fine on a foreigner in the amount of up to 80% of the value of the goods required to be declared or the amount of cash currency.
A foreign citizen has the right to import personal luggage into Chile duty-free - items intended for personal use. There are no restrictions on the weight and volume of personal luggage. At the same time, its quantity must be reasonable taking into account the length of the foreigner’s expected stay in the country. Personal baggage must not have a commercial purpose and can be brought into the country at the same time as the passenger, or within 120 days before or after he crosses the border.
Also, without paying customs duties and taxes, you are allowed to import:
– various used items and goods for professional activities. They must be portable, i.e. do not require special installation or assembly before starting their operation;
– goods purchased in duty-free stores (DutyFree) for an amount not exceeding 500 US dollars;
– gifts with a total value of no more than 150 US dollars;
– video camera, CD player, glasses, binoculars, medicines for personal use;
It is prohibited to import more than 400 cigarettes, 500 grams of pipe tobacco, 50 cigars, 2.5 liters of alcoholic beverages per adult passenger.
Cash foreign currency in the amount of more than 12,000 US dollars (or its equivalent) must be declared.
Foreigners have the right to import goods into Chile that are not items for personal consumption. If they are intended for subsequent commercial use (i.e., profit), then their total cost should not exceed $1,000. The import of non-commercial cargo is permitted if its total value does not exceed $1,500. In the above cases, it is necessary to fill out a special declaration, which is issued at the customs control counter - “Declaraciónde Ingresoy Pago Simultaneo”, and pay a customs fee of 6% of the value of the goods and VAT (19% of the value).
Goods exceeding these amounts must be imported into Chile separately as commercial cargo using the services of a customs agent.
When leaving the country, going through customs control is not mandatory. There is no need to fill out a customs declaration. If a foreign tourist exports any items that are not his personal luggage, no duties or customs duties will be charged. This also applies to items exported for commercial purposes (for example, intended for resale abroad). However, if a foreigner resides in Chile permanently and plans to return to the country after some time, he should fill out a declaration for presentation upon return to avoid paying import taxes.
Only cash in excess of 10,000 US dollars (or their equivalent) is subject to mandatory declaration. Otherwise, if it is detected, the passenger will be charged a fine of 30% of the amount exceeding the specified value.
To export items of cultural or artistic value, permission from the local authorities is required - the Directorate of Libraries, Archives and Museums (Direcciónde Bibliotecas, ArchivosyMuseos), which is part of the Ministry of Education of Chile (Ministeriode Educación). Ancient fossils may only be removed with permission from the National Monuments Board. To import or export firearms, permission from the Chilean Ministry of Defense is required; other types of weapons can be moved across the border without restrictions.
In the case of a foreign tourist entering Chile by personal or rented vehicle, when passing through customs control, the official additionally draws up a special document - “DeclaracioneAdmisionTemporal”. Its presence is mandatory for subsequent travel of the car outside of Chile.
When importing any goods of plant or animal origin into the country privately, mandatory declaration is required. If declared, prohibited items and food products will simply be confiscated. If the fact of undeclared import is revealed, the passenger is additionally subject to a large fine. The amount is determined based on the weight of the prohibited item and starts at the equivalent of $250 in local currency.
It is prohibited to import into Chile wood products, any fresh vegetables and fruits, meat and fish, milk and its derivatives, mushrooms, live plants, their seeds, honey, cereals, animal feed, as well as any products based on them that do not have confirmation factory origin. If items prohibited for import are discovered, they are immediately removed from the luggage and destroyed in the presence of the owner.
For personal consumption in reasonable quantities, declared import of industrially manufactured products in sealed factory packaging is allowed (meat products - only in canned form). At the same time, the product labeling must allow unambiguous identification of its composition and processing method.
A standard international health certificate is required for the import and export of cats and dogs.
Transport
Chile is one of the countries in Latin America with the highest quality roads. It is also a country with an extensive railway network and convenient air connections.
The most popular communication between distant cities is by air or ferry. There are several companies offering intercity bus services. The service is quite at the level, the schedule is respected.
The public rail transport system ("Sistema Estatal de Ferrocarriles" (EFE)) operates from Santiago to the south of the country. Passes through many cities such as Rancagua, Talca, Chillan, Concepcion and until the final station - Temuco. Trains have several types of passenger cars, differing in different levels of comfort. This type of transport is quite comfortable and cheap. However, problems on the tracks or with trains are common, so the journey takes longer than planned.
On the other hand, there is a "Metrotren" system between Santiago and Rancagua. Trains on this system stop in all cities between Santiago and Rancagua. The trains are quite fast, and the passenger cars are the same as in the subway. There is also a train in the very north of Chile, going from Arica to La Paz (Bolivia).
Air transport in Chile occupies a leading position in the transportation of passengers over medium and long distances. The main participant in international passenger air transportation is the Chilean airline LanChile – 57.2% (LanAirlines – 54.1% and LanExpress – 3.1%). Foreign companies are less represented: American Airlines – 5.1%; AerolñneasArgentinas – 4.5%; Iberia – 4% and AirFrance – 3.3%. Domestic air transportation is practically monopolized by LanChile – 74.1% (LanExpress – 63.4%, LanChile – 10.7%). A smaller share is represented by SkyAirlines – 17.6% and AerolineasdelSur – 7.6%.
To ensure air transportation in the country, 73 airports and airfields with paved runways are used. Of these, 17 are equipped with runways up to 900 m, 22 - up to 1500 m, 22 - up to 2400 m, 7 - up to 3000 m and the 5 largest - over 3000 m.
The main “international gateway” of Chile is the Santiago airport “Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez”, which is one of the most modern and safest facilities in Latin America. The airport has passenger terminals equipped with the latest technology with a total area of more than 90 thousand square meters. m, 115 counters, 20 jet bridges, providing an estimated annual capacity of 12 million passengers.
Maritime transport provides about 80% of Chile's cargo transportation volume (over 97 million tons in 2006), including up to 88% of export and import operations. The country has 25 ports and 32 industrial terminals.
The largest ports are San Antonio and Valparaiso, which account for about 20% of all cargo traffic (in 2006, 12,263 thousand tons and 7,971 thousand tons, respectively). More than 20 thousand people are employed in the port sector. The total ship capacity of ports and roadsteads is up to 700 vessels of various displacements.
Port infrastructure is a dynamically developing sector of the Chilean economy.
In general, in Chile, the improvement of transport infrastructure is considered as one of the strategic objectives and an integral component of the successful development of the country’s internal and external economic relations.
Telecommunications
Chile's telecommunications system is at a fairly high level. Mobile phones are very common in Chile. You can very easily rent a mobile phone for any period of time. How to do this - contact the reception desk at your hotel or look in the Yellow Pages. The Internet is very common in Chile. Some hotels provide this service in their business centers. You can also use the services of Internet cafes, which are located throughout Santiago. There are several companies in Chile that provide fax, telex and telegraph services. Among them: ENTEL, Telef?nica, VTR and Telex-Chile. The communication systems are of excellent quality and the prices are quite reasonable.
Telephone communications Telephone communications in Chile are quite developed. Telephones with direct automatic access to an international line can be found in bank offices, large restaurants and hotels, shops and other public places. International calls can also be made from a post office or from a hotel (considerably more expensive, the price per minute depends on the level of the hotel itself).
Most public pay phones operate using CTC (Compania de Telefonos de Chile) calling cards, which can be purchased at company offices, tobacco shops and supermarkets. From Friday to Monday from 18.00 to 05.00, all Saturday, Sunday and weekends, there is a reduced rate for all types of negotiations.
International country code is 56. Outgoing international code is 00.
Calls to Russia To call from Chile to Russia, dial (00)*-7**-(Russian city code)-landline phone number. Calls from Russia To call from Russia to Chile from a landline phone: 8-10-56 - city code - subscriber number. City codes Some city codes: Antofagasta, Calama, Taltal, Tocopilla - 55; Arica - 58; Ausco, Vicuña, Coquimbo, La Serena - 51; Valdivia - 63; Valparaiso, Viña del Mar - 32; Iquique - 57; Castro - 65; Quillota - 33; Coyhaique - 67; Concepcion, Coronel, Lota - 41; Copiapo, Chañaral, El Salvador - 52; Kuriko - 75; La Union, Osorno - 64; Linares - 73; Los Andes - 34; Los Angeles - 43; Ovalle - 53; Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales - 61; Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt - 65; Rancagua, San Fernando - 72; San Antonio - 35; Santiago - 2; Talca - 71, Temuco - 45; Chillan - 42. Useful telephone numbers: Ambulance - 131, fire - 132, police - 133, Andean rescue service - 136.
National cuisine
Chilean cuisine is a rather unusual mixture of national tradition and numerous foreign recipes brought here by immigrants from Europe. The harsh conditions of most of the country have left their mark on the local cuisine - in mountainous areas there are usually fewer ingredients in food and their variety is small. In the Central Valley, on the contrary, the influence of European traditions is very noticeable, and therefore the dishes prepared here are more varied.
Typical cuisine in Chile includes seafood, beef, fresh fruits and vegetables. Common to the whole country is the abundance of pepper, garlic, potatoes, yams, corn and other vegetables in the food. Rice and potatoes are present in almost every dish.
Chile is considered the country with the most delicious seafood in the world (mariscos), which can be enjoyed not only in prestigious hotels, but also in numerous restaurants throughout the country. The crabs and locos are especially tasty.
The abundance of fish does not mean that Chileans do not recognize meat - it is also of the highest quality here. The locals love chickens very much. One of the typical, most delicious and common dishes is “cazuela de ave” (cazuela de ave or cazuela de pollo), which is a chicken soup with various spices, potatoes and rice. Cazuela is a must on any restaurant menu; in the provinces it is especially tasty. If you imagine a huge bowl of soup containing half a chicken, two or three huge uncut potatoes, rice and the smell of various spices, then this is cazuela. But it is not like our ordinary chicken broth or soup; in Chile, cazuela is cooked in a special way and has a special taste. Having ordered cazuela for the first one, you can no longer think about the second one and about the cakes, because you won’t have enough strength. Casuela goes perfectly with a glass of vodka. In the provinces, cazuela is often cooked not only from chicken, but also from beef, seafood, etc. Don't confuse cazuela with another word, consom?. Consommé is a broth.
Chile is considered one of the most Europeanized countries on the continent, and one can hardly talk about the huge difference between the country’s cuisine and European countries. Although, of course, there are local dishes. For example, "couranto". Thick soup "Curanto" is considered one of the favorite national dishes, made from fish, crustaceans, poultry, pork, lamb, beef and potatoes, common in the south of the country and on the island. Easter.
An important place on the table is occupied by corn (“tortillas”) and maize tortillas, as well as “humitas” - boiled corn with spices, wrapped in corn leaves, and a variety of fritters like pumpkin “sopaipillas”.
“Empanadas” are also popular - pies, the filling of which can be very varied: meat, olives, and tuna.
Another typical dish is sea urchin soup. And although its taste can be debated, this iodine-rich dish is very loved by Chileans.
Chileans and tourists visiting the country can enjoy a huge variety of fruits and vegetables every day - from avocados, papaya, grapes, bananas and pineapples to tomatoes, cucumbers and all kinds of wild berries. And all this was produced in Chile, that is, it comes to your table literally from a field, branch, clearing, etc. Every known fruit is grown in Chile. Even kiwi was specially imported from New Zealand, and now it is also a Chilean product.
The traditional drink of Chileans is tea. Whether it’s regular black or green tea, or “mate”, traditional throughout the continent, you can always taste it in any establishment in the country.
A traditional alcoholic drink is “pisco” - a kind of liqueur made according to ancient recipes (many attribute its origins to the pre-Inca era) from specially grown grapes. Pisco is usually drunk with lemon juice, powdered sugar, beaten egg whites or Coca-Cola and plenty of ice.
Pisco production is an art that begins between February and May, when the grapes are harvested and then pressed. Then comes the fermentation stage in large wooden barrels, adding a special starter according to indigenous recipes and sugar, which contributes to the formation of alcohol. Fermented wine is purified in distillers, which then allows you to obtain a high-quality product. During the distillation process, pisco acquires its subtle aroma. In order to make the taste softer, pisco is stored for a certain period of time, depending on the need, in vessels made of American oak, which gives the drink a specific and exceptional aroma and taste.
Excellent Chilean wines are no less popular. The fundamental difference between local wines and European ones is the exceptional quality of the grapes, which simply do not suffer from many diseases, as well as the production of wine according to a unique recipe, which makes it possible to obtain exceptionally aromatic and rich wines.
Work of institutions
Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00. Shops are open from 9.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 20.00. Shops close at lunchtime on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays.
Holidays and non-working days
Holidays:
January 1 - New Year.
March-April - Good Friday and Easter.
May 1 - Labor Day.
May 21 - Day of Glory (Day of the Navy).
May 23 - Feast of Corpus Christi.
June 29 is the Day of Saints Peter and Paul.
August 15 - Assumption.
September 5-6 - Day of National Unity (Day of Reconciliation).
September 18 - Independence Day.
September 19 is Army Day.
October 12 - Dia de la Rasa (Discovery Day of America, Columbus Day).
November 1 is All Saints' Day.
December 8 is the Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
December 25 - Christmas.
Like all Latin American countries, Chile celebrates a huge number of various celebrations and festivals. In January, noteworthy are the Angola Folklore Festival, the Valdivia Classical Music Festival, the Joranadas de Villarrica Music Festival in Villarrica, the Festival del Juaso in Ovalle, the International Folklore Festival in San Bernardo, the Feast of St. Sebastian in Yumbel. Good ones at the end of the local summer (February) are the Semanhas de Frutillar (harvest festival) music festival in Trilha, the Costumbrista Festival in Castro in February and the Tongoy Jazz Festival.
No less interesting are the festival De la Canquin de Vica, the International Exhibition of Los Andes, Derby Day and Viña del Mar (March), the traditional religious festival Fiesta de Quasimodo (April), the famous religious festival Fiesta de Quasimodo La Tirana (July 12-18), numerous celebrations dedicated to Independence Day, St. Francis of Assisi Day (October), colorful La Fiesta Grande, Fiesta de la Virgin del Rosario in Andacoglio (end of December ). The International Equestrian Championship is held in Viña del Mar in January. The two main horse races of the year - the Derby (Vina del Mar, January) and El Enasayo (Santiago, October) attract a huge number of participants and spectators.
Please note that dates for festivals and religious events change frequently.
Customs and orders
Chile is a predominantly Catholic country, but at the same time, established secular norms of behavior and public morality practically coincide with those observed in the countries of Europe and North America.
Chileans are one of the most unusual nations on the planet. Formed on the basis of the Spanish and Indian populations of this territory, it contains a rich “admixture” of almost all the peoples of the world. There are a lot of people here from the British Isles, Germany, and Slavic countries, but there are practically no people from Africa and Southeast Asia, so common in other countries of South America. Each ethnic group brought some of its own components into Chilean culture, which is very clearly visible in the example of numerous “ethnic” settlements on the outskirts of the country, and most of the peoples living here carefully preserve their cultural traditions and language. And yet the majority of the country’s residents still consider themselves Chileans.
Chileans are very pleasant to talk to, very friendly people, they will always help you and, if necessary, they will definitely remember the word “comrade” from the distant past and pronounce it completely without malice, but in order to please you.
Almost all families in Chile (according to our standards) have many children. Having four or five children is normal and not because of poverty, but because a respectable father is able to feed such a crowd and give all his children the education necessary for a happy future life. Divorce is not accepted in Chile. If a man divorced and married a second time, then his friends, as a rule, giggle at him, either out of envy, or because he is fickle in his hobbies.
Everything here is done in a suit. It is customary to arrange meetings here in advance. Business cards should be ordered in English and Spanish. It would be good to translate all materials for negotiations into Spanish. Avoid pressure in negotiations. A gentle approach will help. Businessmen from Santiago are very sensitive to being looked down upon. The leadership style is bureaucratic and authoritarian. Negotiations are strictly business in nature. Although the country's official language is Spanish, many people speak fluent English and German.
Chileans are very amused to receive foreigners who have arrived in their country for the first time: the guests have a completely wrong idea about their country, people, climate. Chile may be warm, but it is not a tropical country filled with lush vines and palm trees. There are few Indians among the inhabitants. Most businessmen have German, English, Spanish or Italian roots.
In terms of their mentality, Chileans are closest to the Scandinavians among all Latin Americans. There is no corruption in the country. Manana is not known in Chile. The working day is long. Punctuality is highly valued. Local businessmen will be happy if the guest remembers to praise the good wines and fruits of their country. Representative events are held in hotels and restaurants. Lunch time is 14:00, dinner takes place at 22:00. Try not to talk about politics and territorial disputes that are taking place between Chile, Bolivia and Argentina.
Precautionary measures
Chile is the calmest and most prosperous country in Latin America. Industry and agriculture are actively developing here, and the standard of living is much higher than in neighboring countries. Crime here is under strict police control, and you can safely walk in the evening in large cities and small towns. But still, you should not attract attention to yourself with expensive things and jewelry. Keep a close eye on cameras, laptops and wallets. Do not leave valuables unattended and, if possible, store them in the hotel safe.
You should not smoke or drink alcohol on the streets - in many places this is considered a sign of bad taste, and in some cities it is even prohibited. Since mid-2006, a new law came into force providing for a ban on smoking in government buildings, buses, stadiums, schools, hospitals and other public places, and large non-smoking areas must be provided in restaurants. Violators will face a fine of 15,000 pesos ($30).
All water should be assessed as potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth, or making ice should be boiled first. The milk is pasteurized and safe to drink even unpasteurized everywhere except in remote mountainous areas. Meat and fish must undergo mandatory heat treatment. Pork, salad and sauces may be at increased risk. Vegetables should be thoroughly washed, and fruits and vegetables should be pre-washed and preferably peeled.
Swimming in the ocean is only possible in strictly designated areas. The local undeveloped shores are mostly rocky and have a very large bottom slope. Coastal currents are very strong, and if you also take into account the danger of the surf (the ocean, after all!) and tidal currents, you can understand that it is much safer to swim on the beaches or in bays among the fiords. The local coastal police and rescuers work at a very high level, but it’s still not worth taking risks thoughtlessly.
Santiago (capital of Chile) Santiago(Santiago), capital of the Republic of Chile. The main cultural and economic center of the country. Located at the foot of the Andes (at an average altitude of about 540 m), on both banks of the river. Mapocho. The climate is Mediterranean type, the average temperature in January is 19.7 °C, in July 7.7 °C, precipitation is 363 mm per year. Area over 100 km 2
.
3.4 million inhabitants (1974, B. Santiago).
A large junction of railways and roads. The Pan-American Highway passes through the north. The railway connecting S. with the main port of Chile, Valparaiso, is electrified, and there are 4 airports. The largest enterprises in the electrical, metalworking, machine-building, chemical, pharmaceutical, rubber, light (including textile), food, and other industries are concentrated in the country. Northern enterprises provide about 1/2 of the value of the country's manufacturing products.
S. was founded on February 12, 1541 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. After the declaration of independence of Chile (1818), it became the capital of the republic. Since the beginning of the 20th century. industrial center of the country. In modern times, S. is the arena of the largest class and anti-imperialist protests of the proletariat, especially in the 30s, in 1950, 1954-55, 1966. With the coming to power in November 1970 of the Government of Popular Unity, headed by S. Allende, S. - the center of intense class battles between supporters of National Unity and the opposition. On September 11, 1973, a reactionary military action took place in S., which led to the overthrow of the Government of National Unity; During the storming of the presidential palace La Mopeda, S. Allende was killed.
S., who received in the mid-16th century. strictly regular layout, built up with identical low and wide houses with courtyards. In the center is the rectangular Plaza de Armas with colonial buildings, mainly in the Baroque style: the cathedral (1541‒1619; completed in 1780, architect J. Toesca y Rici) and the town hall (2nd half of the 18th century, architects Toesca -i-Richie and M. de Jara Quemada). Other buildings from the colonial period include the Church of San Francisco (1618) and the Mint (La Moneda; later the Presidential Palace; begun in 1782, architect Toesca y Rici, bombed in 1973 during the coup). From the end of the 19th century. In the city, streets are being paved and landscaped, and parks are being created. There are many buildings in the spirit of neoclassical, neo-Gothic, "modern". In the center, as well as to the south-west. and W. from the center - modern 8-12-story administrative, business and residential buildings, numerous mansions.
In S. there are: the University of Chile, the Catholic University of Chile, the Technical State University, a military school, the School of Applied Arts, and the National Conservatory. Scientific institutions: Academy of Sciences of Chile, academies of linguistics, natural sciences, history; Chilean Institute for Antarctic Studies, Latin American Institute of Socio-Economic Planning, Institute of Experimental Medicine, etc. There are 13 libraries in S., the largest of which is the National Library of Chile. Museums: National History Museum, National Museum of Fine Arts, National Museum of Natural History, museums of anatomical, archaeological, pedagogical, modern art, American folk art, etc.
Among the theater buildings: “Teatro Municipal” (opera, ballet and dramatic performances), “Opera”, “Municipal de los condes”, “A. Varas", "El Tunnel", "Caupolican", "Petit Rex".
Great Soviet Encyclopedia. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1969-1978 .
See what “Santiago (capital of Chile)” is in other dictionaries:
SANTIAGO (Santiago), capital (since 1818) of Chile (see CHILE). Located at the foot of the Andes, on the Pan-American Highway. Population 4.4 million people (2004; in the agglomeration 5.4 million people). International Airport. Mechanical engineering, metalworking,... ... encyclopedic Dictionary
- (Santiago) the capital of Chile, located at the foot of the Andes, surrounded on all sides by mountains, from east to west the city is crossed by the Mapocho River. In the center of Santiago rises Mount Santa Lucia, at the foot of which the conquistador Pedro de Valdivia February 14... ... Geographical encyclopedia
City of Santiago in Spain Santiago de Chile Flag Coat of Arms ... Wikipedia
1) capital of Chile. Founded in 1541 in Spain. conquistadors and named Santiago in honor of Saint Iago (Jacob, mouth of Jacob), who was especially revered as the patron saint of Spain, his remains were buried in the northwestern part of Spain in Galiz, the town of Santiago de Campostela.... ... Geographical encyclopedia
SANTIAGO- CHILE Santiago, the capital of Chile (since 1818), is located at the foot of the Andes, on the Pan-American Highway in the most populated central region of the country. The city's population is about 5.1 million inhabitants. The snowy peaks of the mountains to the east of the city are mesmerizing... Cities and countries
The Republic of Chile is a state located on the southwestern coast of South America between the Andes mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean. The length of Chile from the city of Arica in the north to Cape Horn in the south is 4025 km, with an area of 756.6 thousand square meters. km, while... ... Collier's Encyclopedia
Republic of Chile (República de Chile), a state in southwestern South America. 756.9 thousand km2. Population 14.4 million people (1996), over 90% Chileans. Urban population 85.8% (1995). The official language is Spanish. The majority of believers are Catholics... ... encyclopedic Dictionary
Republic of Chile, state in South. America. The name is in the language of the Arawak Indians, whose chilli is cold, winter, which is associated with their perception of the snowy peaks of the Andes. Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001. Chile... Geographical encyclopedia
- (Santiago), capital of Chile. Located at the foot of the Andes. Founded in 1541. In the middle of the 16th century. the city received a strictly regular layout. The development combines churches and colonial houses with courtyards with modern... ... Art encyclopedia
