Global - Technology - Review

Chile has a distinctive shape on the map: a long, narrow sliver of territory, 2,700 miles long and only just over a hundred miles wide. Lying along the coast of South America on the western slopes of the Andes Mountains, the north of the country, close to the tropics, is an arid desert region, while the south is cool and temperate. The Atacama Desert is the source of much of Chile’s mineral wealth, while the complex southern coastline displays diverse landscapes of fjords, islands, volcanoes and glaciers. Tourists visit sites like the Valley of the Moon, one of Earth’s driest spots, and the spectacular mountain scenery of the Torres del Paine, where the national bird, the giant Andean Condor may be seen. The country is one of the wealthiest and politically stable in South America. Copper and wine are major exports. The national dance is the cueca, danced in the colourful costume of poncho and riding boots associated with the Huaso or Chilean cowboy. The capital, Santiago, is a beautifully situated modern city, with an extensive metro system and stylish shopping malls. In the Pacific, over 2,000 miles from the mainland, lies Easter Island, with its mysterious Moai statues.