Travel Guide to Chile:
5
Fun Facts to Know About Chile
A
Hiking Guide to Easter Island
Chile:
Land of Poets
Chile
Travel: Visiting the Lake District from Puerto Varas
Chile
Travel Destinations & Places To Visit in Chile
Concepcion
Guide
Discover
the beauty of San Pedro de Atacama
History
and Growth of Santiago de Chile
History
of Chile
Sightseeing
in Punta Arenas - Chile
Revealing
the Valleys of Chile
Swept
Away In Santiago De Chile
The
Mythology of Easter Island
Travel
to Valparaiso, Chile
5
Fun Facts to Know About Chile by Henry Arnault
With
its cosmopolitan capital, charming coastal cities, internationally
acclaimed wines, natural wonders and magnificent Patagonian landscapes,
Chile is one of the best destinations in South America. Its countless and
diverse attractions make it a dream destination for all types of
travelers: from adventure to culture, relaxation to thrills, Chile has
something for everybody. If you don't know much about this extremely rich
country, here are X fun facts you should know - to help you plan your
next Chile vacation or just show off during dinner parties.
1. Valparaiso is a charming town on
the Pacific coast only a few kilometers from the capital, Santiago. It was recognized as a
World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2002 thanks to its unique cultural and
architectural treasures. It myriad hills are covered by colorful, chaotic
constructions and all offer amazing views of the Valparaiso bay below.
It's also the only city in Chile with working trolleys, riding up and
down the hills.
2.
Chile is home to the driest town on earth. The northern desert part of
the country, known as the Atacama Desert, is teeming with extraordinary
natural phenomenon, including the small town of Quillaga. In 2000, a
British Television crew visited this remote town and found sufficient
meteorological records to prove that it really is the driest on the
planet.
3.
Iquique, one of the larger ports of northern Chile, received its name
from a derivation of the native Aymara word "ique-ique", which
means "place of rest and tranquility". The radioactive thermal
springs of Mamiña, a nearby town, are believed to relieve the aches and
pains of old age, and were regularly visited by former dictator General
Augusto Pinochet.
4. The
smallest member of the deer family, the Andean pudu has its origins in
the Andes of southern Chile. This tiny 40-centimeter tall deer only
weighs up to 10 kg is one of the most vulnerable species listed in Chile.
This is a result of a loss of habitat but also because their bizarre
appearance, with short spiked antlers, has made them a target for
poaching for zoos. The southern Andes of Chile are also a great place to
spot the Andean huemul, a mountain deer native to the country and one of
Chile's symbols.
5. Easter Island, a small island
famous for its archeological treasures and tragic history is home to an emergency
landing site for US space shuttles. Located 3,790 kilometers away from
mainland Chile in the Pacific Ocean, the island's airport has an extended
runway built especially for this purpose.
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