• Population: 15 million
• Capital City: Santiago (pop. 4.9m)
• Time difference: -4 hours GMT (Easter Island -6 hours)
• Language: Spanish

Transposed to western Europe, Chile would stretch from northern Norway to Tunisia - over 4000km. it is the sheer diversity of its landscapes and climate which makes this friendly republic so attractive to visitors.

The far north of the country is within the tropics, while in the south, Chile reaches into Antarctica. 

You will also find the highest stretches of the Andean range, volcanoes, glaciers, fjords, the highest lake in Latin America and the driest desert on earth. You can conceivably swim or surf in the Pacific in the morning and in the afternoon ski down an Andean piste.

Although Chile's population is probably the most homogeneous in Latin America, the descendants of European settlers especially Germans and Yugoslavs, have perpetuated the influence of their home countries’ cultures in the towns and villages of the south, where there is still a frontier feel to the way of life.

Chile is a peaceful and welcoming country with a good infrastructure and, in spite of the distances involved, it is easy to get around. Excellent hotels, abundant fresh seafood and cheap, delicious wines are the ingredients for a superb, trouble-free holiday.