Santiago (Chile)
According to SIMPLYYELLOWPAGES, Santiago is the capital of Chile. The city was founded by the Spanish conquistadors in 1541. Santiago is very clean, old colonial-style houses side by side with modern skyscrapers, all against the backdrop of the majestic snow-capped Andes.
Santiago is elongated, the center of the city is the Plaza of Weapons. A monument to the founder of the city, Pedro de Valdivia, was erected on the square, and such buildings surround the square as the House of Governors; Municipality; the building of the Royal Audience, which now houses the Historical Museum; Cathedral, built in the 18th century and the palace complex of La Moneda with the Presidential Palace. San Cristobal Mountain is worth a visit within the city.with a statue of the Virgin Mary, this mountain offers a beautiful view of the surroundings.
There are many parks in Santiago. There is the Botanical Garden, the Central City Park and the parks of Quinto Normal, Balmaceda, Santa Lucia and Metropolitano.
It is also interesting to walk around the Barrio Bellavista district, which is known as the “Paris Quarter”. Here, among quiet alleys, there are luxurious villas, restaurants, cafes and shops.
As in any other capital, there are many museums in Santiago: the Museum of Chilean Art of the Pre-Columbian Era, the Museum of Modern Art, the National Historical Museum, the oldest museum in Latin America – the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Santiago, as well as the house-museum of the great Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.
Arica (Chile)
Arica is located in northern Chile on the border with Peru. This city is known as the “city of eternal spring” because it is warm and comfortable here all year round, despite the proximity of the lifeless Atacama Desert.
In the center of the city is the Plaza de Armas with the Cathedral of Saint Marcos, which was built by Gustave Eiffel in 1876. Of the main attractions, it is worth visiting the Arica fortress on the hill of the same name, where the Museum of History and Weapons is now located), the fort on the Alakran Peninsula, Morro Rock and, of course, the fish market. From the city you can go to the Atacama Desert, visit the oases and hot springs of Mamin.
Valparaiso (Chile)
Valparaiso is the main port of Chile. It is located in the bay of the same name, which is surrounded by mountains. Houses in the city stand on the slopes of the mountains, so the streets rise steeply, some even have funiculars.
In the center of Valparaiso is Plaza Satamayor, where monuments to the participants of the Pacific War rise. The main attractions of the city that are worth seeing are the Cathedral, the Victoria Square Fountain, the Houses of Parliament, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Art and the Maritime Museum. Be sure to visit the city’s port and Muelle Prat pier, where there is a large market.
Viña del Mar (Chile)
Viña del Mar is the most popular resort in Chile. The city itself is known as the “city of gardens” because there are many parks and walking paths. This is a great place to relax with white sand beaches. However, the water temperature here is quite low, so the resort is more suitable for sunbathing.
Be sure to walk through the Chilean Botanical Garden, which is located on an area of 61 hectares.
Punta Arenas (Chile)
Puerto Montt is an important transportation hub for southern Chile. It is from here that excursions to the Los Lagos Lake District depart. It was founded by the Germans in the middle of the 19th century, so the architecture here is different from the characteristic colonial architecture of other cities. Residential buildings here are built in a simple style with tiled roofs topped with weathercocks.
Of the sights, the Cathedral, which was built of mahogany in 1856, is interesting.
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
January 1 – New Year
March-April – Good Friday and Easter
May 1 – Labor Day
May 21 – Glory Day (Navy Day).
June 29 – Saints Peter and Paul Day
August 15 – Assumption
September 5 – National Unity Day (Reconciliation Day)
September 18 – Independence Day
September 19 – Army Day
October 12 – America’s Discovery Day
November 1 – All Saints Day
December 8 – Immaculate Conception Day Virgin Mary
December 25 – Christmas
In Chile, a lot of music festivals are held in the summer. In January – the festival of folklore, the festival of classical music, in February – the festival of jazz, as well as numerous colorful processions on the occasion of Independence Day.
