Chile's 800,000 sq km contains stony Andean peaks, snow-capped volcanoes, broad river valleys and deep canyons, tranquil turquoise lakes, sandy beaches and Rockland headlands. It is the longest and narrowest country in South America (4,329 km long and 177 km average wide).

Chile stretches through desert and ice, passing through valleys, canyons, lakes, forests, islands, and canals. To the north of Chile is Peru. Continental Chile extends from the tropical Arica, Altiplano, & Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world. As we travel south, through the rich Central Valleys crossing over the Tropic of Capricorn, you will find the Andes Mountain Range, which offers a natural border to the east of Chile, separating it from Argentina. To the west of Chile is another natural border, the Pacific Ocean. It goes on south with the Lake District, rich with volcanoes, rain forest, lakes and several rivers. Chile extends as far south as the Patagonia and also partially includes the polar circle of Antarctica, which separates the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, lands full of glaciers, forest and untouched nature.

In the middle of the Pacific Ocean you find a little magic portion of land: Easter Island. Peaceful and trustworthy is its friendly government and welcoming are its people. Other islands also include, the Juan Fernandez Archipelago (where Robinson Crusoe lived), and Chiloe.

Chile offers eight thousand kilometers of legends, traditions, handicrafts, food and beverages. This is where you can choose from hundreds of different plates made with ingredients harvested from their orchards, and mountains, and multiple fruits from the ocean. These, together with the endless beauty of its lands and much more, make this country an incredible and perfect destination to explore.

Climate

Chile experiences many different climates, as its territory stretches from the desert in the North to the Antarctica in the south.

Big North (Arica to Taltal. Includes the Atacama Desert):
The climate in this is zone desert like, and for this reason good weather is guaranteed throughout the year with the exception of January and February months, when a climatic phenomenon appears Bolivian Winter which brings rain, snows and electric storms making it dangerous to ascend the mountains.

The average Winter temperature is 7ºC, and the average Summer temperature 23ºC.

Small North (Taltal to Illapel. Includes La Serena):
Rain, is rare. There`s no rain in Summer, the Winter is light and lasts only a short time. The average temperature in the Summer is 19ºC, and in the Winter 12.5ºC.

Central Region (Santiago and the heartland):
Due to Santiagos position in the central zone, it has a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons. Spring, between September and December is mild, which contributes to the flourishing greenness of the plants and trees.

Summer, between December and March, is dry and hot with temperatures that can reach over 30°C (87º F). At night it cools down slightly, and on the coast this temperature drop can be much more extreme. Autumn is between March and June, and temperatures decrease gradually.

In Winter, mornings are cold, some as low as -2º C (28º F) and although the temperature rises at midday it rarely exceeds 15°C ( 60º F). In spite of the cold, it doesn't snow, except in the mountains where peaks are all snow-covered embellishing naturally its surrounding.

South Area (Santiago south to Temuco):
The climate is very agreeable in summer, but from April to September the rains are heavy; the annual average rainfall, nearly all of which falls within those six months, is from 1,250 to 1,500 mm.

The average temperature in the Summer is 15ºC, and in the Winter 10ºC.

The Lake District (Temuco to Puerto Montt. Includes Chiloe Island, Pucon, Valdivia):
The climate is cooler; the Summer is no longer dry, for rain falls every season, heavier than further north. The rain decreases as you go inland: 2,500 mm on the coast and 1,350 mm inland.

The average temperature in the Summer is 17ºC, and in the Winter 8.5ºC.

Austral Route (Puerto Montt to Cape Horn):
There's no real dry season. On the offshore islands and the western side of the Andes it is frequently wet and windy, particularly south of Baker River. North of this river, the Summers are drier than the Winters, however to the south Summers are windier and marginally wetter.

The average temperature in the Summer is 16ºC, and in the Winter 8ºC.

Patagonia (Includes Torres del Paine National Park):
There are important climatic variations in the Region, influenced mostly by the relief, of the sea and the winds. In the eastern slope of Patagonian Mountain Range there is a cold steppe climate that prevails in the central continental area. This is where most of the population settlements, among them Punta Arenas, register an average rainfall of 425 millimeters annually, mostly in the Spring-Summer and in Winter as snow. This is an area with constant wind, more intense in the Spring-Summer, time when it reaches an average speed of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour, diminishing almost completely in the Winter.

The average temperature in Summer is 10.6ºC and in Winter 2.0ºC.

Torres del Paine National Park has a mild climate; there is a microclimate section in Azul Lagoon, with a considerable increase of temperature in the Summer (25 to 30 degrees Celsius). In the Mountain Ranges there is an ice climate while in the Pacific coast area and channels there is a cold temperate climate, with great humidity.

A special feature of southern climate is the amount of solar light hours, which are less in Winter and extended at Summer reaching as far as 18 hours, approximately, in December.

Chilean Antarctic Territory

For those who wish to visit Antarctica it is recommended they use clothes and special equipment adapted for the snow and low temperatures.