Chile is the narrowest country in the world, but that doesn’t mean it is thin on sites to see. It is an amazingly beautiful country of dramatic landscapes, rich culture, diverse wildlife, and great adventures. There are a thousand reasons to pack your bags and head to this amazing South American country. Here are the top 5!
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Dramatic Landscapes
Chile is a country of incredibly diverse landscapes. From the stark Atacama Desert (the driest in the world) in the North, to the Patagonian ice fields in the south, Chile is a site to behold. While it’s the world’s narrowest country (only 39.7 miles at its narrowest point), it is also the worlds longest country (2,670 miles from top to bottom). This provides a lot of space for a diversity of landscapes.
When traveling through Chile, you will enjoy rocky mountains, fertile valleys, rain forests, lakes, fjords, and even glaciers. Plus let us not forget miles and miles of Pacific coastlines with un-spoilt beaches. Located on the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” Chile is prone to a bit of seismic activity including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. You will likely feel a few tremors when you are there! Don’t be alarmed. Buildings in Chile are built to sustain most seismic events.
Diverse Wildlife
Chile is home to an amazing array of wildlife and is one of the best places in the world to see wild penguins. The country is home to five different penguin species including the Magellanic, Humbolt, Macaroni, Southern Rockhopper, and King penguins. You can get up close and personal with penguins in the Patagonia region of Southern Chile.
Depending upon what parts of Chile you visit, watch for Andean flamingo, condor, guiña, colcolo wildcats, and puma. You will also find four different species of camelid including llama, alpaca, vicuña, and guanaco.
Rich Culture
Chile boasts a rich cultural heritage that dates back thousands of years. The Chilean people are primarily a mix of Spanish colonial and indigenous cultures. Despite geographic isolation of the country from the rest of South America, it is still somewhat similar to its fellow Latin American neighbors.
Chilean customs and activities are strongly tied to the geography of the country. Chile is a dream for outdoor enthusiasts and popular past-times also include soccer and rodeo. The cuisine is rich in seafood due to the proximity to the Pacific Ocean. You will also find excellent wines due to the country’s rich wine region.
Music and dance are extremely important components of Chilean cultural identity. The national dance of Chile, the Cueca (Zamacueca), comes from the Huasos people of central Chile.
That said, the Northern and Southern regions of the country have their own folk music and dance due to different indigenous and immigrant populations settling the areas.
Amazing Attractions
There is something for everyone to see and do in Chile. City seekers will bask in sophisticated Santiago with its museums, nightlife, and food scene. Santiago is also a wonderful jumping off point for various day-trips to other regions.
Art lovers will enjoy the fabulous street art of Valparaiso. Take the stairs and funiculars to the historic quarter for amazing views of the port city and then slowly walk down the multi-layered city while taking in the colorful Victorian architecture. Nearby you will find a flowing wine country with its intricate vineyards.
For a stark contrast, don’t miss the desolate moonscape of Valle de la Luna. Check out the vast Atacama Desert and look for the beautiful Andean flamingo at the Atacama salt flat. The Atacama Desert is also home to the ghost towns of Humberstone and Santa Laura. These were important salt mining communities at the turn of the 20th century.
If you want to see penguins, then spend some time in Patagonia. This region extends into the southernmost part of Argentina as well. The area is famous around the world for its vast forest, natural reserves, glaciers, and native wildlife.
Don’t miss the mysterious Easter Island with its 900 monumental statues called moai. These carved human figures with gigantic heads were created by Rapa Nui inhabitants over the centuries. While nobody knows for sure, it is believed these were carved to commemorate important ancestors. This Polynesian island is a territory of Chile.
Hiking and Adventure
Chile is an adventure traveler’s playground. You can hike, ski, raft, fish, ride horseback, scuba dive, surf, birdwatch, and so much more! The country is filled with national parks and other locations for hiking in a variety of terrain. Trek all (or perhaps just a portion) of the 1,700-mile-long trail at Torres del Paine National Park. Located in Patagonia, it boasts incredible views and landscapes. You will also find amazing hiking in the Atacama Desert, La Campana National Park, and other places throughout the country.
If dusty trails aren’t your thing, perhaps you prefer the ice. Grab your walking sticks and crampons before tacking one of Chile’s ice fields. Discover glacier rivers and ice tunnels as you take in the great white wilderness.
Stargazers will find it tempting to spend every night under the stars as Chile is an astronomer’s paradise. Vast unpopulated areas with little to zero light pollution create optimal stargazing conditions. The hot, dry Atacama Desert is absolutely the best place to observe the ever-elusive Milky Way. Check out one of the many observatories taking advantage of these optimal conditions.
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