Chile can be found in the southernmost region of South America, bordered by the Andes mountain range/Argentina to the East, Peru and Bolivia to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is the 6th largest country in the continent, and the 38th largest country in the world.
A mountainous country; the snow-capped Andes range covers most of its eastern border with Argentina, whilst lower non-Andean ranges span the remainder of the land. Chile is also home to many fjords, beaches, glaciers, icebergs and deep sea channels, as well as the Atacama Desert, which has been officially declared as the driest place in the world.
Recognising the need to protect these areas from harm, the Chilean government have established 18 national parks throughout the country, covering approximately 18% of the Chilean mainland.
Capital city: Santiago
Highest Point: Nevado Ojos del Salado (22,572ft / 6880m)
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean (0ft / 0m)
Land Area: 287,187 sq. mi (743,812 sq. km)
Water Area: 4745 sq. mi (12,290 sq. km)
Total Area: 291 933 sq. mi (756,102 sq. km)
Coastline: 3999 miles (6435 km)
Bordering countries (3) Argentina, Bolivia, Peru.
The Atacama Desert covers a total area of 40,541 sq. mi (105,000 sq. km), stretching 600mi (1000km) from southern Peru into northern Chile. Officially the driest place on Earth, it receives almost no rainfall whatsoever. In fact, it is so dry that some weather stations in the desert have never recorded a single drop of…
The Beagle Channel is a strait separating the main island of Tierra del Fuego from various other small islands. It is one of three navigable routes linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the southern tip of the South American continent. The Strait of Magellan is further north lying between Tierra del Fuego and mainland…
Chile is a remarkable country endowed with some of the world’s most spectacular scenery but for lovers of mountains, lakes and glaciers, the Torres del Paine National Park has deservedly become one of the country’s major attractions with over a quarter of a million visitors per annum over half of whom travel from other countries….