House of travel South and Central America Brochure 2017 | Page 10

Experience
Chile
C ut off from the rest of South America by the ramparts of the great Andean
Fast Facts
Country name: Republic of Chile
Population: 18.2 Million
Capital: Santiago
Languages: Spanish, Mapuche, Aymara, Rapa
Nui
Currency: Chilean Peso
Time zone: 16 hours behind New Zealand (17
hours with daylight saving)
Electricity: Current is 220V/230V, 50HZ
Plug is a 2 point round-pin adaptor
Festivals and Events 2017
6
29 Jan Easter Island Tapati Festival
01 Feb Costumbrista Chilote Festival,
Chiloe Island
07 Jun Battle of Arica Remembrance Day,
Arica
Jun Fiesta de San Pedro, San Pedro de
Atacama Desert
18 Sep Chile Independence Day
Mountain chain and the driest desert on the planet, Chile has a distinctly different
character to the rest of the continent.
Stretching more than 4000km from north to south, and only 440km at its widest
point, Chile offers a spectacular array of landscapes and climates. You can reach
either extreme in Chile; from the scorched desert to miles of fantastic skiing, from
indulgent winery hopping to a close up view of epic glaciers and fjords. Equally
fascinating is its unique Pacific territory of Easter Island, the most isolated inhabited
island in the world.
Chile’s breathtaking diversity can create a dilemma for travellers – how do you fit
everything in? After all, what could you leave out – certainly not the out-of-this
world arid moonscapes of the Atacama Desert at the northern tip with its hot
springs, geysers, active volcanoes and ancient ruins. Then far to the south lies
Patagonia, also known as 'the most beautiful end of the world' and the indescribably
spectacular Torres del Paine National Park. Hike, paddle and bike the region to truly
appreciate every angle of the three granite monoliths, also known as The Towers, as
they catch many different shades of daylight.
Chile’s capital Santiago is the gateway to these adventures, but also a great city to
spend a few days. Around every corner is a pretty art and craft gallery, a boisterous
performer, or a street vendor serving deliciously fresh local cuisine. With a backdrop
of the majestic Andes and second-to-none wining and dining, Santiago is becoming
one of South America’s most economically successful countries, and a satisfyingly
fun one to explore for any kind of traveller.