Location:
Santiago is at 543 meters above sea level, in Chiles central zone. The Pacific Ocean is located a 100 Km. away to the West and the Andean Mountain Range, 40 kms to the East.

Time:
Winter : -4 hours GMT
Summer : -3 hours GMT

The majestic Andean Mountain Range can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Due to its geographic location, Santiago is one of the few capital cities in the world which has easy access both to ski slopes -just 50 kms. away-, and beaches, 100 kms. away. It is in fact possible to visit the modern ski resorts as well as the famous beach resort of Viña del Mar or picturesque Valparaiso, Chiles main port, in just one day.
Numerous villages located in the countryside around Santiago invite the visitor to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of country life.

General Information

Full Country Name: Republic of Chile
Area total: 756,950 sq km
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Perú
Population: 16.134.219
Capital City: Santiago (population 6 million)
Ethnic group: white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%
Language: Spanish
Religion: 89% Roman Catholic, 10% Protestant, less than 1% Jewish
Government: Republic
Head of State: President Sebastián Piñera
Administrative divisions: 15 regions
Climate: temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south
Annual Growth: 3.5%
Major Industries: copper, fishmeal, wine
Currency: Chilean Peso

From salty desert top to glacier-crowded bottom, Chile is an incredible reminder of natures beauty and power. This narrow country is jammed with enough geysers, mountains, beaches, forests and volcanoes to keep adventure nuts slavering for a lifetime.

Santiago, its capital city, complements with the artistic, culinary and cultural activities that every cosmopolitan city delivers.

Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.