Hola! Welcome to Chile!

Owing to its proximity to the Andes, its white waters and coastline, Chile has traditionally attracted the adventure seeker and there is a lot to see and do. Taking a tour in Chile is the perfect way of seeing and experiencing as much of this adventure as possible. Its culture and cuisine have also recently begun to appeal to international travellers, and the Chilean wine and food are sure to keep gourmets and gourmands coming back for more. Its tourist infrastructure is also well developed and there is a number of places to stay. Most of these Chile hotels offer good value for money and you'll receive a warm welcome from the locals.

What is extraordinary about Chile is the variety packed into its land area. Stretching just 180km from west to east at its widest, it measures a whopping 4300km from north to south, giving it a smorgasbord of ecosystems. You can even use our Chile map to help choose your hotel in Chile based on its location. The climate of Chile is equally varied and you can experience everything from dry desert, chilly Andean, mild Mediterranean, to the utterly indescribable climates of Patagonia, Easter Island, the Atacama Desert, Tierra del Fuego and even Antarctica which Chile counts in its territories.

The snowy south has chilly weather all year round due to the Andes to the east, and adventure seekers enjoy visiting the glacial south to explore the many lakes and fjords. The north remains arid thanks to the Atacama - the driest desert in the world. This region is crucial to the economy of the country because of the abundance of copper and minerals that are mined here.

For those looking for a milder vacation, the central valley region and coastal belt has cheerful, sunny Mediterranean style weather. It is a small but dominant area due to the large number of people who have made this region their home. It is also the centre of agricultural activity and many of Chile's fine vineyards benefit from the climate here. This area is also the administrative and political hub of the country and the area from where much of Chile expanded during the latter half of the 19^th century.

Southern Chile is primarily forested land and grazing fields and has an endless number of lakes and volcanoes. The coastline in this part of the country is reminiscent of what one sees in Norway, with inlets, fjords, lakes, peninsulas and islands marking the maze-like shoreline. The land here is broken by water bodies and inlets to the sea, giving it the appearance of a cluster of tiny islands.

To the east of the country are the Andes Mountains which form a natural border for Chile with the rest of South America. The Andes, though stunning to look at from afar, offer plenty more to the traveller from closer up. The chain has as many as fifty active volcanoes and peaks that soar up to 6700m. The northern edge of the chain is starker with the jagged edges of the mountains jutting out dramatically from the horizon, while the southern section is gentler with a string of clear blue lakes in the corridor of the Andes.

In the Souther Lake region, holidaymakers relax in lakeside vacation homes and Chile hotels or explore nature in many national parks and forested lands. The scenic Elizade Lake near Coihaque is small but beautiful. On the other end of the scale is the vast General Carrera Lake which is partly in Argentinean territory and is the second largest lake in South America.

If nature itself wasn't enough, there are a variety of Chile tours and activities for the traveller. In addition to sightseeing in the larger towns and cities, one can also take a seasonal holiday to Chile to take in sports and events. A winter holiday would be the perfect time for some skiing. In summer, white water rafting brings the right mix of thrills and sights to any itinerary. And the beaches are a haven for sunbathers and surfers all year round.

Before the Spanish invaded during the 16th century, Chile was part of the Inca Empire in the north and the Mapuche lands of the Araucanian Indians in the centre and south. Independence from Spain was declared in 1810 but true defeat of the colonists came only by 1818. By 1883 after the War of the Pacific, Chile had managed to take control of what are now the northern regions of the country, after defeating Bolivia and Peru. The country which had, until then, managed to avoid random governance and coups was suddenly in 1973 subjected to a long and bloody dictatorial rule that lasted 17 years. By 1990 when the rule ended, over 3000 were feared dead or had gone missing.

Today, Chile is among South America's strongest economies and has made a mark for itself globally. The standard of living is high, there is political stability, and corruption and poverty are at a low. Human rights are respected, social and democratic policies seem to be achieving their desired goals and the press are free to exercise their freedom of speech. Chile is now the wealthiest country in the region in terms of per capita GDP (gross domestic product at market prices). For a diverse, culturally rich, and adventurous holiday it is hard to beat the experiences that Chile has to offer!