Hip Guide to Chile
Chile was originally inhabited by the Mapuche peoples thousands of years ago. The Incas made some intrusions into their northern lands, but mostly were kept out of what is now Chile. In 1520 Ferdinand Magellan discovered the tip of South America and a southern route to the Pacific, and named the straits after himself. By 1541 Chile was under Spanish rule. Since 1808 Chile has had a string of military rulers, marxists, socialists, resulting in the despotic rule of Augusto Pinochet, when thousands disappeared and torture was the way law was enforced.
Chile is now peacefully democratic and a relative economic success these days with agriculture, copper mining and forests full of timber to export. Chile is 1720 miles long, and about 100 miles wide, running the length of the Pacific coast of South America. Although Chile has suffered one of the biggest earthquakes in history recently it is a wonderful place to visit and travel. From lush jungles in the north to deserts, and vast grazing lands and forests in the south Chile is simply amazing.
Whether you come for a quick visit or extended tour, you will find a wealth of information about destinations here. The Hip Guide to Chile offers the highlights of the country, and contains many tips for making your stay here more rewarding.The Hip Guide to Chile is your source for hotel reservations, tourist information, events, reviews, shopping and much more! Don’t forget to visit our Chile Photo Gallery! Bookmark this site, and visit whenever you need to find out what’s happening in Chile.THIS SITE IS INTERACTIVE! You can participate by adding your own reviews, comments, stories or event listings. Don’t forget to tell your friends about us!