CHILE 

Our Spanish Courses in Chile
click below :

 - Santiago 
 - Valparaiso (Viña del Mar)

14,8 millions 

National anthem

• 1540 : Spanish arrival and foundation of Santiago.

• 1811 : Independence movements and civil war until independence.

• 1879-1883 : Victory in the war against Bolivia and Peru.

• 1891 : Civil War followed by an extended period of social reforms and Parliamentary system.

• 1925 : Military regime followed by (1927 - 1952) democratic governments.

• 1970-1973 : Presidency of Allende.

• 1973 : Coup d'état by Pinochet September 11th and the murder of Allende.

• 1973-1989 : Bloody dictatorship of Pinochet.

• 1989 : Return to a Democratic government.

The Climate in Chile varies from one place to another. The north is home to driest desert on earth, the Atacama, is often foggy and cooled for its elevation. The regions of the center have a Mediterranean weather with very varied winter and hot and dry summers. The High peaks of the east The high peaks of the Andes has a typical mountain climate, you will find, eternal snow and glaciers. The south of the country is allot more humid.

Spanish and Indian dialects.

• Voltage : 220 volt

• Driving : on the right

• National Parade : September 18th.

• Country's motto:  By reason or by force

Chilean Peso 

Canadian travelers please consult Travel information and advisory reports. For all other nationals please consult your Chilean embassy or consulate in your country of origin.

Ponchos, made out of wonderful wool of llamas, basket making ,wood, potteries, copper, silver jewellery.

For your information here are some details of a typical meal in Chile:

You will first be served a salad with oil and lemon for seasoning, then a "cazuela de ave", a sort of stuffed turkey, steaks or chicken, or still empanadas (fried sambusic with meat, onions, a boiled egg, olives and cheese). In the summer, taste the "humetas", mashed cereal in a spathe envelope, or the pastel de choclo, pâté de maïs. Seafood is excellent. Try the picarocos, jaiva (crab) and the locos (sea ears). The main dish usually constitutes a rice dish with a special preparation of chicken, meat, or fried fish. Then you will be served a desert, followed by instant coffee. Evenings, sandwiches are kings for its famous churrasco sandwich accompanied by mashed avocado, son chacarero (steak and green beans), or the completo (sausages with tomatoes, avocado and mayonnaise).

Cazuela (chicken stew, rice, steak d'alpaga (Altiplano), veal, fish and seafood on the side, local wines, pisco (rose water), chicha (fermented wheat). Numerous street market where one can go eat.

Relish Chilean (Ingredients)

• 1 big cabbage

• 1 big onion

• 2  green tomatoes

• 2 fresh red sweet peppers

• 2 long red hot peppers

• 1 cup of cider vinegar

• 1 to 1/2 spoon of salt

• 1/2 spoon of sugar

Preparation
Wash an rinse the vegetables.cut the meat in a mixer.Heat the vinegar in a casserole until ablution.Add salt and sugar, let it mix for a couple of minutes.Add vegetables.Keep on heat for 15 minutes, mix from time to time, then empty into a glass container, and put in the fridge.can last a long time.

Chile is a thin stretch on 4350 km along the Pacific in South America. The central plains known as, la pampa, separates the Andes mountains from the coastline; the population for the most part is concentrated on the fertile lands of the center in Santiago. The topography of the South Andes is marked by the presence of glaciers, fjords, lakes and deep see straights.

Santiago.

In 1541, when Pedro de Valdivia discovered the scenic valley cut by Mapocho and Mapio, he knew that this site overlooked by the mountain chain would be an ideal place for a colony. Today, the conquistadors may not be able to recognize Santiago, fogy capital of the Chileans, its charm however, is unequaled in South America. The Colonial city of Santiago is organized around a town center called, la Plaza de Armas (1541).

This beautiful esplanade is the ideal place for retirees, shoe shiners, beggars and lovers alike. The "Correo Central", a pink building built in 1882, is home to the most efficient postal service in Latin America. Close by the "Museo Historico Nacional" traces back the history of Chili from pre-Colombian times to the present. You will also find the largest Church in the country the Santiago Cathedral (1748-1789). Even tough it was damaged and repaired numerous time, it possesses a monumental nave. It angles the " viceria de Solidaridad" an organization for the defense of human rights whom sell artisanal objects by victims of the dictatorship.

The Congreso Nacional (1876), where stood the ministers until its closure in 1973 is 2 streets away on Calle Cathedral. The Federal tribunals and the Sernatur (Tourism office) face it.

The Palacio de la Mondena (1805) is situated 4 streets further in the Calle Morandé. In this symbolic Hotel of the money, later becoming the presidential house, that Salvador Allende found death by the military coup in 1973.

With its commercial galleries and it coffee shops, the pedestrian street Paseo Ahumada, that connects the Plaza de Armas and Alameda Bernado O'Higgins, is the nervous center of the capital. There, business men deal with street vendors and exchange officers.

On the Alameda, most important artery of the city, you will find an imposing cathedral of San Francisco (1586). You will notice the decorations that give the place a certain Spanish flair.

The Plaza Mulato Gil (Universidad Catolica metro) a small paved center, with dimmed lighting, there you will find most of the music halls, theaters, and concerts.

Santiago (old neighbourhoods, cathedral, the Moneda); Valparaiso (port, beach, collines-parks, Vina del Mar), Arica; Atacama desert and Valley of Lune; La Serena (colonial sites); Lakes region (south), Patagonie and land of Fire, the Andes. Fauna and flora in general.

On the markets of Santiago, you should haggle for everything you buy, from the most expensive antiquities to a bag of oranges. The Mercado Franklin (4 streets to the east from the Franklin Station) you will find a flea market open on weekends, within the old walls of a building. There you will find everything, silverware to old books, let us not forget disks and water faucets.

On Mercado Central, established on the Mapocho, you will find all the fresh products. You can also find in Santiago nice clothing at very reasonable prices.