...ion and challenging land forms, Chile has become of a country of people ho are strong, proud, and extremely innovative. Also part of Chile are to notable Pacific possessions, the Juan Fernandez Islands and the famous Easter Island, both of hich are administered as national parks. The Juan Fernandez islands are located about 670 km off the Chilean coast, hile Easter Island is situated 3700 km distant.Chile has many different climates because of its vast continental territory. They range from hot and dry regions in the north to cool and damp regions in the south. The Central Valley has a very temperate climate, ith fertile lands.Politically, Chile is divided in 12 regions,including the Antarctic territory, and the metropolitan region.PeopleThe majority of Chiles population is mestizo, a result of frequent intermarriage beteen early Spanish settlers and indigenous inhabitants. Many Chileans are also of German, Italian, Irish, British, or Yugoslav ancestry. Three small indigenous groups are still distinguishable, the Araucanians of central Chile, the Changos of north Chile, and the Fuegians of Tierra del Fuego. Chile is predominantly urban, ith more than a third of the total population concentrated in and around Santiago and Via Del Mar. Nearly 90 of the people are at least nominally Roman Catholic. Spanish is the countrys official language.EconomyChiles economy is based on the export of minerals, hich account for about half of the total value of exports. Copper is the nations most valuable resource, and Chile is the orlds largest producer of the mineral. Agriculture is the main occupation of about 15 of the population it accounts for about 10 of the national ealth, and produces less than half of the domestic needs. The production of an adequate food supply remains one of Chiles major economic problems. heat, potatoes, corn, beans, sugar beets, and fruit are the chief crops a variety of vegetables, fruits, and grains are gron in the Vale of Chile, the countrys primary agricultural area. The vineyards of the valley are the basis of Chiles groing ine industry. Livestock production includes beef and poultry. Sheep raising is the chief pastoral occupation, providing ool and meat for domestic use and for export. Fishing is also an important economic activity.Santiago - The CapitalSantiago is divided into 32 districts or comunas. It is the capital of Chile and it is the fifth largest city in South America. Santiago is a city that seems destined for groth. The Mapuche destroyed it in 1541, only six months after Pedro de Valdivia founded it, but soon the Spanish ere back and building it up again. Today, it is one of the most modern cities on the continent. Santiago is also the central point of a region filled ith attractive sites and activities. Only 60 km aay are the main South American ski centers, and the beautiful beaches of the Pacific are only an hours drive to the northest.Sights in SantiagoPlaza de Armas -Main PlazaPlaza de Armas is Santiagos attractive city center. Setting off the plaza are various historic buildings, including the Cathedral, the Arch Bishops Palace, City Hall, the Central Post Office, and the National History Museum.San Cristobal HillThe summit of this hill offers spectacular vies of the city, and it can be reached via a funicular railay. Up top is giant statue of the Virgin Mary, a zoo, and a restaurant.Vina del Mar Beaches Vina del Mar, also knon as Garden City, is an internationally-knon beach resort area located just outside of Valparaiso and about an hour from Santiago. Every February, the International Song Festival held in Vina del Mar attracts the finest stars of Latin America.Ski Areas Valle Nevado and Portillo ski centers, both among the finest skiing centers in the orld, are conveniently located to Santiago. Portillo, a past host of orld championship alpine events, has also been the site of a number of donhill speed records....
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