About 10,000 years ago, migrating Native Americans settled in fertile valleys and along the coast of what is now Chile. The Incas briefly extended their empire into what is now northern Chile, but the area's barrenness prevented extensive settlement.
A traditional Chilean legend states:
"In the beginning of time, God created the wonders of the world.
When he was finished, however, he saw that he had many leftover pieces. He had parts of rivers and valleys, of oceans and lakes, of glaciers and deserts, of mountains and forests, and of meadows and hills.
Rather than to let such beauty go to waste, God put them all together and cast them to the most remote corner of the earth.
This is how Chile was born."Friso de Pinturas en Tarya Loa: Region de Tarapaca Courtesy of Manuel Gedda
When he was finished, however, he saw that he had many leftover pieces. He had parts of rivers and valleys, of oceans and lakes, of glaciers and deserts, of mountains and forests, and of meadows and hills.
Rather than to let such beauty go to waste, God put them all together and cast them to the most remote corner of the earth.
This is how Chile was born."Friso de Pinturas en Tarya Loa: Region de Tarapaca Courtesy of Manuel Gedda
