Chile
• Chile borders three different countries; Argentina to the
east, Bolivia to the northeast and Peru to the north
• Chile has an unusual ribbon shape. It is 4300 km long and
just 175 km wide (on average)
• Forests, grazing land, volcanoes and lakes are all features
of southern Chile.
• Chile had to endure a 17 year military dictatorship between
1973-1990 that left more than 3000 people either dead or
missing
Fast Facts about Chile
• It is believed that Native Americans settled in Chile about
10,000 years ago. They settled along the coast as the most
fertile land was found there
• Chile is the world’s 38th largest country. It is about twice
the size of Japan
• The population of Chile is expected to be about 20.2
million by 2050
• About 10% of the Chilean population consider themselves
indigenous to the region. However, according to the 2002
census, only about half of these people still speak a native
language or practice a native culture
• The most popular sport in Chile is football (soccer to
Australians and Americans). The Chilean football team
won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Tennis is the second most popular sport in Chile.
• Tourism is growing very quickly in Chile. In 2005,
tourism generated more than $US4.5 billion.
• The main language spoken in Chile is Spanish, but there
are also many indigenous languages that are spoken by a
minority of Chileans.
• Catholicism is the main religion is Chile.
• Before being discovered by the Europeans, Chile was
inhabited by several tribes of Native Americans; including the
Inca in the north and the Araucanian tribes in the south.
• In 1520 Ferdinand Magellan was the first European to see
Chile. In 1540 Pedro de Valdivia a Spanish conquistador came
to Chile were he founded several cities, despite resistance from
the Araucanians.
• One of these cities he founded was Santiago, which is now
Chile's capitol and largest city.
History -Early Settlement
• In 1553 the Native Americans led several successful
revolts against the Spanish conquerers, killing Valdivia
and devastating most of the cities he founded.
• This lead to nearly 100 years of warfare. Eventually the
Spanish dominated, but even then strife and conflicts
continued for many more years.
• In 1808 when Spain was seized by Napoleon the Chileans saw an
opportunity to gain independence. September 18th, 1810, Chile
declared independence beginning a long war.
• Eventually Chile was able to defeat Spain and Bernardo O'Higgins
became Chile's first leader. Despite finally winning its Independence,
Chile suffered several changes of government. Many of these changes
were caused by coups by the military and civil wars, though none as
severe as other Latin American countries. Despite these problems the
government enacted many changes that have lead Chile to become the
most economically developed country in South America.
• Salvador Allende Gossens, a Marxist, was elect president in 1970
making Chile the first country to vote in communism. This move lead
to political and economic disaster. The unrest caused by his rule
(which was further aggravated by the US government) eventually lead
to a military takeover of the government.
Independence from Spain
• September 11th 1973 Augusto Pinochet Ugarte became the dictator
of Chile. Pinochet immediately suspended the constitution, enforced
strict censorship, banned all political parties, and dissolved Congress.
During his time as leader, the country was kept in a state of
emergency and the military tightly controlled the people. Thousands
were arrested, executed, exiled, or kept in prisons, while many people
simply disappeared.
• But, the Pinochet government helped the struggling Chilean economy
and improved education giving Chile one of the highest literacy rates
in Latin America. Due to this, the people of Chile are very divided in
their opinions about his rule. In 1989 Pinochet allowed the people to
vote in a new president and returned the government back to the
people.
Augusto Pinochet
• Chile is now a republic with a stable government and
economy. The current president is Michelle Bachelet,
who is also Chile's first female president. The legislative
branch is made up of a Chamber of Deputies (similar to
our House of Representatives) and a Senate. The highest
court of the country is the Supreme Court. The country is
divided into 15 political divisions called regions (which
are like states here - only with much less political power).
Michelle Bachelet
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkz2Y1iBMyw
Tourism
• The most popular tourist attraction in Chile second to
only Eastern Island. The Atacama Desert is the highest
and Driest Desert in the world. Unique rock formations
will leave you speechless the entire time you are there;
valle de la luna (moon valley), death valley, and dinosaur
valley, to name a few.
Atacama Desert
• One of the most isolated places on Earth, it’s still an
enigma to most people. The lineage of the people in
Easter Island is actually traced back
to Polynesia and Micronesia, not the migration originally
thought. Its very easy to get around on the island and
some tourists like to bike around the island. Only Lan
Airlines flies to Easter Island from Peru or Santiago. Oh,
and they have funny statues with hats on them, don’t
forget to see those.
Easter Island
• Patagonia in Chile is one of the reasons why they call
Chile the Switzerland of the South. There are gorgeous
snow capped mountains where the Andes tower over the
border of Chile and Argentina. The lake country in Chile
is also very impressive, make sure to check cities off the
beaten path like Chiloe. The Torres del Paine national
park is the most popular attraction in this region.
Patagonia
• The tourist attractions in Chile are going to start in Santiago as
all major flights come into the city. Santiago is the engine that
makes Chile run and the entire country is in the middle of an
economic boom (in comparison to its neighbors).
• There is great nightlife in an area called Bellavista, extremely
interesting museums to visit, and even wine country nearby.
• Honorable Mention: Chile is the host of the largest pool in the
world. You can find the pool at the Alfonso Del Mar Resort in
Algarrobo, Chile, about a 2 hour drive from the capital.
Santiago
• These two cities sit 1 hour from each other on the coast of
Chile, roughly 2-3 hours from Santiago (longer if you go by
bus).
• Valparaíso can be described as an artsy town and one of the
great things to see is the graffiti that defines the city. Streets
are lined with very creative portraits and unique art work.
• Make sure to explore the Pablo Neruda museum in the
city. Just a short bus or taxi ride away is Vine Del Mar where
you can find the famous flower clock. The city doesn’t have
that many attractions but you can find the beach if you are in
the mood for some sun.
Valparaiso and Vine Del
Mar
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeyWMwO7x7I
BBC: Documentary of
Easter Island