CHILE Jacquelyn Kerby

SANTIAGO, CHILE

MONUMENTS Copiapo Cathedral- This cathedral is very unique to the region and was originally inhabited by Indians and later Spaniards. It was built to replace the Spanish structural church of Pukará de Quitor (Fort of Quitor) - This fort is a structure that dates to pre-Inca times of the 12th century. Built over rocks as a fortress with a strong defense wall, it was used by the Incas for protection from new inhabitants before the Spanish took it over in 1540 Amolanas Aqueduct - More than 275 feet long, this historical stone aqueduct/national monument was built by Spanish masons in 1890 and was used to bring water to the Amolanas mines. River water was transported from a 54-foot drop, where it operated the main turbine for the processing plant.

THE 3 BIGGEST CITIES OF CHILE Santiago: Population 4,837,295 Puente Alto: Population 510,417 Antofagasta: Population 309,832

CURRENCY Chilean Peso One US Dollar is Chilean Pesos (One Chilean Peso is of an American Dollar)

TOP FESTIVALS IN CHILE Vina del Mar Music Festival - Each year during the last week of February, Vina del Mar holds the Vina del Mar Music Festival. This music festival is one of the world's largest of its kind. The festival's popularity base is the performances by famous international musicians. Carnaval Andino Con la Fuerza del Sol - (“The Andean Festival with the Strength of the Sun”) Con la Fuerza del Sol is a three-day festival that celebrates the peaceful blending of Spanish and indigenous cultures in the Andes, as well as Catholic and indigenous traditions. Chilean, Peruvian and Bolivian participants come together to celebrate with lavish costumes, dance groups and brass bands, which compete for the favor of the audience. Fiestas Patrias - ("Patriotic Festivities”) Celebrations involving the Independence Day of Chile, September 18 th

INDIGENOUS PLANTS/ANIMALS OF CHILE Chile has a rich and distinctive flora with 2698 species of vascular plants and animals found nowhere else by one count. Darwin’s FoxLactoridaceae Plant FamilyChilean Pampas Cat

TYPICAL DISHES OF CHILE Arrollado de Chancho - chunks of pork wrapped in pork fat smothered in red ají (chili). Bistec a lo pobre - beefsteak, French fries, fried onions, topped with a couple of fried eggs. Carbonada - meat soup with finely diced beef and all kinds of vegetables such as potatoes, onions, carrots, broccoli, green pepper and parsley.

GOVERNMENT AND RELIGION Religion (Culture): The majority religion in Chile is Christian, with an estimated 61% of Chileans belonging to the Catholic Church, 17% Protestant or Evangelical and just 3% with any other religion. Agnostics and atheist are estimated at 19%. Government: The Unitary state of Chile is a Democratic Republic. The Presidential system of Chile is a Constitutional Republic.

FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM CHILE Snooki: Reality Star Cote de Pablo: TV Actress Eh Bee: Web Video Star

ATTRACTIONS Cerro San Cristóbal is a hill in northern Santiago with a beautiful view over the city and, on a clear day, the Andes. The largest penguin colonies in southern Chile, Los Pingüinos Natural Monument is home to more than 120,000 Magellanic penguins. Chiloé Island is the largest island of the Chiloé Archipelago in the Los Lagos Region and the second-largest island in South America after Tierra del Fuego.

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