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The Glossary

Disculpe - "a sign of respect, what to say when a person wants to leave."

From Chile Glossary

Chile snakes by the western edge of South America, a narrow coastal strip separating the Andes Mountains from the Pacific Ocean. It has a length of 6, 435 kilometers, but only with an average width of roughly 175 kilometers, making it perhaps the thinnest country in the world. Ruled by the Inca Empire for most of its early history, the Spanish arrived in the 16th century and took control of the land, only relinquishing it by the 19th century.

For a while, Chile struggled, especially during the 17-year term of a military government that left some 3,000 Chileans dead and the country in financial straits. Today, though, it has risen to become one of South America's most stable and prosperous nations - mostly on the strength of its copper (35 percent of the world production) and wine (50 million liters exported yearly) industry .

Contrasting Nature

The most striking thing about Chile is its unique terrain, a byproduct of passing through numerous time zones. Chilean legend has it that when God created the world, He found that He had some leftover pieces: volcanoes, lakes, mountains, valleys, glaciers, beaches, rivers, and fjords. So, He decided to pack all the extra stuff in a remote part of the planet - the land now known as Chile.

Reflecting the legend is Chile's extreme terrains and temperature. The Atacama Desert in its northern region is considered as the driest in the world. Travel to the country's southern tip at Punta Arenas though, and the cold is comparable to that of nearby Antarctica. It is this diversity in geography that captures the imagination of tourists around the world - especially the adventurous. In fact, some two million visitors arrive at the country every year.

Gripping History

The Chile of present was molded by its long and tumultuous history. Like most of its neighbor countries, its culture has a predominantly Spanish influence, as evident in its language (Spanish) and festivals. Other European nations made their mark in other aspects, like the Germans with their Bavarian-style architecture.

However, the Chileans also have some things that are all their own.A prime example is the cueca, the country's national dance, as well as the mapuche music. Chile has also produced some of the world's most renowned literary figures, foremost of which are Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral. Tourists can also meet the nation's answer to the American cowboys: the huasos. Or, more importantly, sample its seafood - considered as one of the best in the world

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