Chile
is full of surprising stories, dramatic landscapes and rich cultural
traditions that many travellers overlook. These insights reveal a
deeper and more intriguing side to the country before you explore it
yourself.
Chile stretches over 4,300 km from north to south, yet averages only 177 km wide.
Easter Island (Rapa Nui), famous for its moai statues, is a Chilean territory located over 3,500 km offshore.
The country experiences all four seasons opposite to the UK, making December a summer month.
Chile is one of the few places on Earth where you can ski in the morning and sunbathe on the coast in the afternoon.
The Atacama Desert is so dry that some weather stations have never recorded rainfall.
Chile is a global leader in astronomy, hosting some of the most advanced observatories on the planet.
The Atacama region was used to test Mars rover technologies due to its similarities with the Martian surface.
Chile pioneered major advancements in copper mining, becoming the world’s top copper producer.
The country is developing some of the world’s largest green hydrogen projects.
Punctuality is flexible; arriving slightly late to social gatherings is normal.
It is polite to greet with a single kiss on the right cheek among friends and acquaintances.
Tipping in restaurants is customary, with 10% commonly added to the bill.
Chileans value formal communication in business settings, especially on first meetings.
Pablo Neruda, one of Chile’s most celebrated poets, won the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Gabriela Mistral was the first Latin American author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Isabel Allende, author of The House of the Spirits, is one of the world’s best-known novelists.
Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sánchez are among Chile’s most famous footballers.
Chile is home to the world’s driest desert (Atacama), the world’s southernmost city (Puerto Williams) and vast Andean peaks.
Patagonia spans Chile and Argentina, offering dramatic glaciers and wind-swept landscapes.
Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most photographed wilderness areas in the world.
Chile has over 130 active volcanoes.
Chileans often enjoy long family meals and social gatherings on weekends.
Mate (a herbal drink) is widely consumed, especially in the south.
Football is a major passion, with intense team rivalries.
Chileans are generally warm, reserved and polite, especially with newcomers.
Cueca is the national dance, inspired by courtship traditions.
Empanadas, pastel de choclo and seafood stews play a key role in local cuisine.
Many festivals celebrate Indigenous Mapuche culture and heritage.
Chileans enjoy “onces,” an evening snack similar to afternoon tea.
The Mapuche people resisted Spanish domination for centuries, shaping Chilean identity.
Chile gained independence from Spain in 1818.
The 1960 Valdivia earthquake, the strongest ever recorded, originated in southern Chile.
Easter Island’s moai statues date back hundreds of years and remain a global archaeological mystery.
The Marble Caves of Patagonia feature swirling blue formations carved by water over centuries.
Valle de la Luna in the Atacama looks so otherworldly it’s compared to the Moon.
Torres del Paine’s granite towers are an iconic symbol of Chilean Patagonia.
Chiloé Island is famous for its colourful wooden churches, many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Chile spans over 4,300 km north to south.
Home to the driest desert on Earth.
Chile has more than 130 active volcanoes.
The 1960 Valdivia quake is the strongest ever recorded.
Torres del Paine is a world-famous hiking destination.
Easter Island belongs to Chile.
Chile is the world’s top copper producer.
Astronomers say Chile has some of the clearest skies on Earth.
Seasons are opposite to the UK.
The Andes form Chile’s natural eastern border.
The south experiences long daylight hours in summer.
Chiloé is known for its UNESCO wooden churches.