Chile Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
country in South America
About Chile
Chile bordersPeruto the north andArgentinaandBoliviato the east. Chile has over 5,000km (3,100miles) of coast on the South Pacific Ocean. Before theSpanisharrived in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while the indigenous Araucanians (Mapuche) inhabited central and southern Chile. The Mapuche were also one of the last independent American indigenous groups, that were not fully absorbed into Spanish-speaking rule until after Chile's independence. Although Chile declared independence in 1810 (amid the Napoleonic wars that left Spain without a functioning central government for a couple of years), decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879–1883), Chile invaded parts of Peru and Bolivia and kept its present northern regions.
Top Attractions in Chile
Explore the best things to see and do in Chile:
- ★Hiking and trekking
- ★Surfing
Chile Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 21 sections including: