WHERE is Chile?
The country of Chile is located in the Southern Hemisphere on the west coast of South America. You will notice on this topographic map that the Andes mountains divide the two countries of Chile and Argentina. I live in the capital, Santiago, at the base of the Andes.As you can tell from the map, Chile is a very long, narrow country. (The good news is that no matter where you are in the country, you can never be more than 2 hours from the beach!) However, because Chile spans such a long distance from north to south, there are several different geographies and climates that comprise the country.
The northern region is very dry with lots of deserts. The Atacama
desert is located here, and it is technically the driest desert in the world as it receives the least amount of rainfall of anywhere on earth! I loved visiting this desert because it is composed of salt basins. Here in the north you can find interesting animals like flamingos and vicunas.
Santiago is located in the central region of Chile, which is green and fertile. 80% of Chile's entire population lives here because of its agreeable climate and beautiful landscapes. (The climate is very much like North Carolina's - hot summers, mild winters.)
The South of Chile is chilly! But in my opinion, the south has some of the most striking and gorgeous landscapes on earth. Here you can find immense glaciers, huge native forests, crystal lakes, and looming mountain landscapes. I recently visited the famous Torres del Paine National Park where I had the opportunity to hike and camp in this beautiful terrain.
WHERE is Santiago?
I have been in Santiago for about 14 months now, and I really love living here. Santiago is a huge, modern city with approximately 6 million inhabitants (about one-third of the entire population of Chile). Santiago is divided into different neighborhoods, called "comunas;" some are very quiet and tranquil with lots of trees, while others feel more urban with modern transportation and tall buildings. Two years ago, Santiago opened its subway system so it still feels very clean and new. I either get around the city on the subway or on my new bicycle!
I am currently living in an apartment in the center of Santiago. I love my neighborhood because it's full of art, culture, and life. There are several cafes, stores, and even a small independent movie theater on my street, but I also have nice parks and green space close by. I live close to the center of the city and therefore I can walk or ride my bike almost anywhere I need to go - to school, to the grocery store, to friends' houses!
I have class at the University of Chile three days a week three hours in the evening. While the school is located in a busier part of town, the school building is surrounded by a gate and the inside has lots of trees and outdoor areas for students to socialize and study. Here is a photo of the building where I have class every day. There is a lot of student-created art around the campus, like the drawings you see here on the walls.
