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| A SNAPSHOT OF CHILE |
 Chile means, depending on the book you read, “where the land runs out” or “the end of the world”; also means snow and the deepest point on earth. Chile has also been called many other names, such as a country with a crazy geography, a geographical extravaganza, country of a comic geography, country made for poets, etc. There are many theories as to where the name "Chile" comes from, but the most popular ones say that it may have derived its name from the mapuche word "chilli" which means "where the world ends", or from Quechua word "chin" meaning cold, or the Aymar word "tchili" meaning snow. It may have also come from the "cheele-cheele"--the Mapuche immitation of a bird call. There is a legend which says that when God finished the Creation, he took the leftovers of desert, plains, jungle and mountains, and with that he created the patchwork that is now Chile.
 Approximately 16 million inhabitants live on the territory, which is 175 km wide and over 4300 km long (8000 km if you add the Antarctic), – including various ethnic groups like the Aymaras, the Mapuches, the Easter Islanders and a small number of people from Tierra del Fuego. The official language is Spanish; the dominant religion is Catholicism and the currency – the Chilean Peso - is valued at around 440 per US dollar (as of March, 2008).
Chile, often regarded as one of South America's safest and most economically and politically stable countries, has experienced a dramatic increase in tourism over the last few years. What foreign tourists look for and find in Chile is endless opportunities for recreation and leisure activities, astonishing beauty of the landscapes, uncommon cultural, geographical and historical diversity. If you look for diversity, you can go to different countries or you can just come to Chile.
 Chile is a photographer’s and traveler’s paradise for all its colors and shapes. From north to south the landscape changes dramatically, and so do the colors. Only in Chile you will see lunar landscapes, deserts, active geysers and salt lakes in the North; densely forested areas, waterfalls, ice fields, glaciers, fjords and lakes in the South; first-rate shopping malls, five star hotels and international restaurants in the Metropolitan area; green valleys and wine yards in the Central region. In one day you can go trekking or skiing in the mountains and then enjoy a delicious seafood and premium wine dinner by the ocean.
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| WEATHER IN CHILE |
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 Santiago has a Mediterranean climate and well-defined seasons. Spring (September–November) is mild, and contributes to the flourishing green color of the plants and trees. Summer (December-February) is dry and hot with temperatures reaching 37º C. At night it cools down slightly, and on the coast this temperature can drop significantly. Autumn (March– May) temperatures decrease gradually to average high 25º C. In winter, mornings are cold, as low as 0º C and although the temperature rises at midday it rarely exceeds 15ºC. Precipitations begin in April and reach its highest level during June and July, then decrease gradually to almost nothing in November. The average annual rainfall in Santiago is 384 mm (14.9 in). ISEC 2011 Conference will be held in October, a spring month in Chile. Weather is usually very nice at this time, around 23C, but just in case bring along sweaters and a light jacket.
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| BANKING AND ATM AVAILABILITY |
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 All major cities and many smaller towns with a significant tourist economy have ATMs. Some banks, however, charge rather exorbitant fees for international withdrawals, and per-day withdrawal limits are usually around US$300. Banks are open to public Monday through Friday, from 9.00 to 13:30.
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| ELECTRICITY |
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 Chile's electricity standard is 220 volts/50Hz. Electrical sockets have two openings for tubular pins, not flat prongs, make sure you have an appropriate adaptor.
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| TIPPING |
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A 10-15% tip is usually given in bars and restaurants. In hotels tipping is left to the guests' discretion. The same applies to the hair salons and other cosmetic services. Taxi drivers are not tipped.
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| SAFETY AND EMERGENCIES |
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 Santiago is probably the safest big city in South America. Serious violent crime is not unheard of, but it's not common either. A visitor's principal concern will be pickpockets, but even then your chances of being a victim are rare. To avoid any problems, make sure you do not have expensive jewellery or electronic equipment on display. Downtown area is safe to visit during the day, but shold be avoided at night time.
In case of emergency:
- To call an ambulance dial 131
- To report a fire emergency dial 132
- For a police emergency dial 133
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| TIME ZONE |
| The time zone in winter is GMT –4 hours; in summer it is GMT –3 hours. |
| LINKS |
| For more information about Chile please use these links. |
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