Chile Facts & Information

Location	Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Climate	Temperate, desert in north, Mediterranean in central region, cool and damp in south
Terrain	Low coastal mountains, fertile central valley, rugged Andes in east
Population	15,980,912
Nationality	Chilean
Ethnic groups	White 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%
Religions	Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL%
Languages	Spanish
Government Type	Republic
Capital	Santiago
Currency	Chilean peso (CLP)
Description of Flag	Two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the blood spilled to achieve independence; design was influenced by the US flag
Chile Flag

More Information
 www.cia.gov

Santiago Culture

of Santiago. Most holidays are centered around the Christian celebrations. Both divorce and abortion are illegal.

Santiago has a work force with high productivity, making this city an industrial center. Education is well emphasized in the youth and is seen as the key to a better life. So, most receive a secondary education and even go into specialized fields and receive further technical and professional training. There is a large well-educated middle class in Santiago, which can be seen in how Santiago is so modern and commercialized.

When visiting Santiago, don’t be afraid to show a little affection. Chileans are very friendly and this can be seen in their social behavior. They usually greet friends and relatives with an abrazo (a hug and handshake often with a kiss on the right cheek for women). This is repeated at good-bye.

More Information:
 www.state.gov

Santiago Culture

of Santiago. Most holidays are centered around the Christian celebrations. Both divorce and abortion are illegal.

Santiago has a work force with high productivity, making this city an industrial center. Education is well emphasized in the youth and is seen as the key to a better life. So, most receive a secondary education and even go into specialized fields and receive further technical and professional training. There is a large well-educated middle class in Santiago, which can be seen in how Santiago is so modern and commercialized.

When visiting Santiago, don’t be afraid to show a little affection. Chileans are very friendly and this can be seen in their social behavior. They usually greet friends and relatives with an abrazo (a hug and handshake often with a kiss on the right cheek for women). This is repeated at good-bye.

More Information:
 www.state.gov

Santiago Shopping

sweaters that will keep you warm even in the dead of winter. These are alI Chilean specialties. If you are a jewelry enthusiast, silver is abundant throughout the city as well as Lapis Lazuli jewelry with a distinct Andean style—all for inexpensive prices.

When wandering the streets, you may run into women selling their lovely handmade items and you can barter with them for nice prices that will make your wallet happy. These products are of very high quality and are used by the Chileans themselves, rather than being mass produced with inadequate quality for tourists. So for inexpensive prices, you will find the highest quality clothing and jewelry.

Here is a list of good areas for shopping in Santiago:

• Downtown, between Miraflores and Amunategui streets and Av. B. O'Higgins and Santo Domingo Street.
• Providencia Avenue, including chic boutiques on Suecia, General Holley, Los Leones, Ricardo Lyon streets, amongst others.
• Shopping Centers: Panoramico, Apumanque and Parque Arauco, in the eastern area.
• Plaza Vespucio, in the southern area.

Santiago Shopping

sweaters that will keep you warm even in the dead of winter. These are alI Chilean specialties. If you are a jewelry enthusiast, silver is abundant throughout the city as well as Lapis Lazuli jewelry with a distinct Andean style—all for inexpensive prices.

When wandering the streets, you may run into women selling their lovely handmade items and you can barter with them for nice prices that will make your wallet happy. These products are of very high quality and are used by the Chileans themselves, rather than being mass produced with inadequate quality for tourists. So for inexpensive prices, you will find the highest quality clothing and jewelry.

Here is a list of good areas for shopping in Santiago:

• Downtown, between Miraflores and Amunategui streets and Av. B. O'Higgins and Santo Domingo Street.
• Providencia Avenue, including chic boutiques on Suecia, General Holley, Los Leones, Ricardo Lyon streets, amongst others.
• Shopping Centers: Panoramico, Apumanque and Parque Arauco, in the eastern area.
• Plaza Vespucio, in the southern area.

Santiago Travel Guides
 Frommer's Santiago
 Lonely Planet Santiago
 Let's Go Santiago
 Fodors Santiago