Main Attractions: Unexplored wilderness, volcanic mountains, national parks, beaches, etc.
One of the most beautiful and scenic destinations in South America is Chile. Located on the long and narrow western stretch of the continent, Chile is known for its beaches, glaciers and volcanic mountains. With nature in its best and most diverse forms, Chile is the ideal destination for all those who love to be intrigued by the wilderness and mystical places. The capital city of Chile is Santiago, which offers its tourists some of the best places to see and numerous tourist attractions. The topography of Chile is such that on one hand it has one of the driest places in the form of Atacama Desert and in the southernmost area, it has the coldest glaciers. This diversity of nature is something that should not be missed.
Bountiful Beaches
Chile’s long coastline makes it ideal for beach lovers to explore. Chile has many good beaches that let you surf, swim and also relax in the warm sun. Apart from that, there are many resorts and hotels on the coast itself, which means if you book well in advance, you can easily get a room with a beach view. Some of the beaches worth visiting are Vina del Mar (Chile’s premier beach resort), Renaca (Chile’s most extensive beach) and Concon (popular for surfing and delicious local food). The beaches are frequented by both locals and visitors and definitely must not be missed if you are planning to go to Chile.
Santiago - Capital City
The capital city of Chile, Santiago offers tourists a number of attractions. It is bordered by the Andes ranges in the east where you can go skiing. The place exudes a certain European flavor when you visit the main city. The architecture is primarily chic neoclassical, you can expect to see modern high-rise apartments as well as an elaborate underground Metro rail system. The city also has a number of restaurants and bars, hotels and clubs, historical museums, etc. There is something for everyone, be it an adventurous soul or an avid explorer.
Parque Nacional Puyehue
This is Chile’s most popular national park and it is situated in the Lake District, which is approximately 700 kilometers south of Santiago. This place is spectacular as it has two volcanic mountains, out of which one erupted and covered a substantial part of this forest in volcanic dust and debris. One can also find hot springs and geysers, waterfalls and a rich bird life over here. It is one of those places where you can be one with nature and explore natural beauty till it completely mesmerizes you. There are numerous nature trails to follow, stunning lakes to explore and even ski resorts!
Easter Islands
One of the major attractions of Chile is Easter Islands. The place is well-known for the colossal rocks that are carved to resemble huge human faces and are placed strategically across each other. The greatest attraction factor here is the fact that no one knows who carved these boulders and how did the monoliths come into existence. This one mystery intrigues people who come from some of the farthest corners of the world to view the mysterious boulders and the lovely scenery that surrounds.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Culture of Chile
Language in Chile
Spanish is the official language of Chile. There are also quite a few indigenous languages such as Mapudungun that spoken between the Itata and Tolten rivers and Aymara that spoken in the mountains of the north.
Chilean Culture and Society
Religion
. Most Chileans are Roman Catholics. The religion has played a large role in defining social and political life.
. Religious instruction in public schools is almost exclusively Roman Catholic. Abortion is actually illegal due to the influence of the Church.
. Divorce was illegal until 2004.
. Most national holidays are religious in nature.
. Chileans of more mature generations still celebrate their saint's day as much as they do their own birthday.
The Role of the Family
. The family occupies a central role in Chilean life.
. Extended families are very close and will frequently congregate for major occasions and celebrations.
. Family and business are intertwined to the extent that nepotism is seen as a positive concept.
. Many small firms will be 100% family run.
Class Structure
. Chilean history has had a large influence on modern day class lines.
. Today's wealthiest class are more or less the same land owning families of before.
. A middle class has developed of late and now accounts for nearly a half of the population.
Classes are fluid and it is possible to move either upwards or downwards depending on your salary.
Etiquette and Customs in Chile
Meeting & Greeting
. Men will usually shake hands.
. Women generally pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder.
. These are always accompanied by the appropriate greeting for the time of day - "buenos dias" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon) or "buenas noches"(good evening).
. Between friends and family things will relax and become more unreserved - men may embrace and energetically pat each other on the back whilst women will kiss once on the right cheek.
. Always let your Chilean counterpart progress to this stage of formality.
. Like many South Americans, Chileans use both their maternal and paternal surnames. The father's surname is listed first and is the one used in conversation.
. If you know of any titles always try to use them. . If no title exists then simply use "Senor" (male) or "Senora" (female) followed by the surname.
. When addressing older people with whom you have a personal relationship, who may be referred to as "don" (male) or "dona" (female) with their first name.
. First names are used between close friends - wait until invited to move to a first name basis.
Gift Giving Etiquette
Gifts are usually given for birthdays and Christmas. Some general etiquette guidelines include:
. If invited to a Chilean's home, take sweets/chocolates or wine for the hostess.
. Send flowers in advance.
. Do not give yellow roses as they indicate contempt.
. Do not give purple or black flowers as they symbolize death.
. Do not give scissors or knives as they indicate you want to sever the relationship.
. For a young girl's 15th birthday, a gift of gold jewellery is the norm.
. Gifts are opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
. Dining etiquette can be quite formal in Chile.
. As a general rule, observe and follow if ever unsure.
. Here are some basic dining etiquette guidelines:
- When sitting wait to be shown to your place.
- Women sit before men.
- The hostess invites people to eat.
- Keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.
- Always use utensils to eat.
- Avoid speaking with eating utensils in your hands.
- It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate.
- Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink.
- The host makes the first toast.
- The most common toast is "Salud!"
- When you lift your glass, look at the person being toasted.
- Pour wine with the right hand only.
For my opinion, the culture of Chile has a lot of similarity with my own culture. We has to always pay attention when social with people from different culture to avoid misunderstanding.
Spanish is the official language of Chile. There are also quite a few indigenous languages such as Mapudungun that spoken between the Itata and Tolten rivers and Aymara that spoken in the mountains of the north.
Chilean Culture and Society
Religion
. Most Chileans are Roman Catholics. The religion has played a large role in defining social and political life.
. Religious instruction in public schools is almost exclusively Roman Catholic. Abortion is actually illegal due to the influence of the Church.
. Divorce was illegal until 2004.
. Most national holidays are religious in nature.
. Chileans of more mature generations still celebrate their saint's day as much as they do their own birthday.
The Role of the Family
. The family occupies a central role in Chilean life.
. Extended families are very close and will frequently congregate for major occasions and celebrations.
. Family and business are intertwined to the extent that nepotism is seen as a positive concept.
. Many small firms will be 100% family run.
Class Structure
. Chilean history has had a large influence on modern day class lines.
. Today's wealthiest class are more or less the same land owning families of before.
. A middle class has developed of late and now accounts for nearly a half of the population.
Classes are fluid and it is possible to move either upwards or downwards depending on your salary.
Etiquette and Customs in Chile
Meeting & Greeting
. Men will usually shake hands.
. Women generally pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder.
. These are always accompanied by the appropriate greeting for the time of day - "buenos dias" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon) or "buenas noches"(good evening).
. Between friends and family things will relax and become more unreserved - men may embrace and energetically pat each other on the back whilst women will kiss once on the right cheek.
. Always let your Chilean counterpart progress to this stage of formality.
. Like many South Americans, Chileans use both their maternal and paternal surnames. The father's surname is listed first and is the one used in conversation.
. If you know of any titles always try to use them. . If no title exists then simply use "Senor" (male) or "Senora" (female) followed by the surname.
. When addressing older people with whom you have a personal relationship, who may be referred to as "don" (male) or "dona" (female) with their first name.
. First names are used between close friends - wait until invited to move to a first name basis.
Gift Giving Etiquette
Gifts are usually given for birthdays and Christmas. Some general etiquette guidelines include:
. If invited to a Chilean's home, take sweets/chocolates or wine for the hostess.
. Send flowers in advance.
. Do not give yellow roses as they indicate contempt.
. Do not give purple or black flowers as they symbolize death.
. Do not give scissors or knives as they indicate you want to sever the relationship.
. For a young girl's 15th birthday, a gift of gold jewellery is the norm.
. Gifts are opened when received.
Dining Etiquette
. Dining etiquette can be quite formal in Chile.
. As a general rule, observe and follow if ever unsure.
. Here are some basic dining etiquette guidelines:
- When sitting wait to be shown to your place.
- Women sit before men.
- The hostess invites people to eat.
- Keep your hands visible when eating. Keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.
- Always use utensils to eat.
- Avoid speaking with eating utensils in your hands.
- It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate.
- Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink.
- The host makes the first toast.
- The most common toast is "Salud!"
- When you lift your glass, look at the person being toasted.
- Pour wine with the right hand only.
For my opinion, the culture of Chile has a lot of similarity with my own culture. We has to always pay attention when social with people from different culture to avoid misunderstanding.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Flag of Chile
The national flag of Chile is also known as the Lone Star. It consists of two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red and a blue square the same height as the white band in the canton, which bears a white five-pointed star in the center. It was adopted on October 18, 1817.
The star represents a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky and the Pacific Ocean, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the blood spilled to achieve independence.
According to the epic poem La Araucana, the colors were derived from those from the flag flown by the Mapuche during the Arauco War. "Flag Day" is held each year on the ninth of July to commemorate the 77 soldiers who died in the 1882 Battle of La Concepción.
Geography of Chile
GeographyChile is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It located at the south of Peru and southeast of Bolivia. The Pacific coastline of Chile is 6,435 kilometres. Chilean territory includes the Pacific islands of Juan Fernández, Salas y Gómez, Desventuradas, and Easter Island.
The shape of Chile is a distinctive, multi-colored ribbon of land 4,300 kilometres (2,700 mi) long and on average 175 kilometres (109 mi) wide.
Climate
Chile's climate varies, from the world's driest desert-the Atacama-in the north, through a Mediterranean climate in the center, to a rainy temperate climate in the south. The northern desert contains great mineral wealth. The small central area dominates in terms of population and agricultural resources, and it is the cultural and political center that was expanded in the late 19th century. Southern Chile is rich in forests and grazing lands and it features a string of volcanoes and lakes. The southern coast is a labyrinth of fjords, inlets, canals, twisting peninsulas, and islands.
Population
The population of Chile was estimated at 15,153,797 in July of 2000 with an annual growth rate of 1.7 percent. According to the Population Reference Bureau, with a projected annual population growth rate of 1.29 percent, the population is expected to reach 19.55 million by the year 2025 and 22.21 million by 2050.
Ethnicity groups
The Chilean population is estimated at nearly 95% White and Mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian); 3% Amerindian (indigenous people of pre-Columian era); and 2% other. Mixtures between the conquering Spaniards, largely Andalusians and Basques, and the Mapuches produced the principal Chilean racial type. An indigenous population of perhaps as many as 600,000 pure Mapuches live mainly in Temuco and in the forest region south of the Bío-Bío River. Remnants of other small tribal groups are found in isolated oases within the northern desert or live a nomadic existence on the archipelagos and islands of the extreme southern coast. A small minority of Germans and their descendants live in the Valdivia-Puerto Montt area.
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