Chile is located in between the Andes Mountains and the
Pacific Ocean. It's a small, thin country, but it has some of
the best beaches around. The thin strip of land also means
there's a wide array of climates. In the north, the Atacama
desert is one of the driest places in the entire world. The
middle portion of the country is more Mediterranean while the
southern portion of Chile is rainy and temperate. One thing you
may notice about the country is that it has 32 national parks,
48 natural reserves and 15 natural monuments - all of which are
heavily protected by the Chilean government.
One of the most popular (and mysterious) destinations in Chile
is Easter Island - home of giant, monolithic stones in the shape
of heads. Why they were created, how they were created and what
happened to the people who created them is still a mystery. That
doesn't stop many people from traveling to the area to see the
"mystery" for themselves. It's quite a breathtaking site to see.
While there may be limits on how close to the giant statues you
can get, even from far away they're impressive. Don't forget to
bring your camera!
Formally known as Más a Tierra (Closer to land) or Aguas Buenas,
Robinson Crusoe Island is another favorite destination for
tourists in the area, especially those seeking adventure and
excitement. The barren, lava rocks of the island are an
impressive sight to see up close. The island (there are actually
three islands in the area), is home to a wide diversity of life,
making it an important piece of real estate on the planet. If
you want to see untapped wilderness, now is the time to see it.
If glaciers are your thing, there's always the Cordillera
Darwin, in Alberto de Agostini National Park. While you're going
to have to take a boat to see some of the glaciers, it's well
worth the trip. The journey there is almost as scenic and
beautiful as the destination, though. Sometimes it's more about
getting there than where you're going. With Cordillera Darwin
this is very true. Make sure you make enough time to go see the
glaciers right if you do get to Chile.
Interesting Facts about Chile
Chile is one of only two
countries in South America that don't touch Brazil.
While Chile laid claim to
parts of Antarctica, the Antarctica Treaty laid those claims
null and void.
Chile is one of the most
stable and prosperous nations, which may be because of its
location and isolation.
Chile has one of the best
examples of Democracy in the entire world.
No matter what area you decide to visit in this long, thin
strip of land, you're going to be amazed at how well things work
in Chile, how nice the people are, and how spectacular the
natural beauty of the area is. While you may not wander too far
into the desert, the middle and southern regions of Chile have
quite a bit to offer different styles of travelers. Chile may
not be on your top five list of places to see in the world, but
it should be. With one of the most advanced countries in the
third world, there's a lot to learn by visiting. Besides that,
the people are very friendly and welcome tourists.
