ABOUT  CHILE

 



 

Volts :
220 volt, 50 Htz alternative electricity

 

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Money :
Peso Chileno ($ is the used simbol, with just one vertical barre, when the US Dollar have two ! ). There’s billet of 20.000$ / 10.000$ / 5.000$ / 2.000$ (made of plastic ! ) / 1.000$ and coins of 500$ / 100$ / 50$ / 10$ / 5$ / 1$.
It’s better to have US Dollars, it’s  the easyest way to change Money. Payement with Euro are not very used in South America yet, even if the change rate is more convenient.

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Language :
   Spanish is the oficial language, just like it’s neibourgs Perou, Bolivia and Argentina. There is also other dialect used by the differents Andeans communities in the north of Chile like :

   Aymara, in the north of Chile, south of Peru, west of Bolivia
  Quechua, in the north of Chile, south west of Bolivia and also in the east of Bolivia
   Kunsa, in the area of San Pedro of Atacama
   Mapudungun, in the south of Chile, in the Mapuche Lands
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Tips :
In restaurants and bars, it’s used to leave a tip (propina) equivalent to 10% of the bill.

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Insurances :
Additional insurances at moderate prices can save many bothers in case of diseases. Choose one that covers the expenses of repatriations, the loss or the flight of the plane ticket and the valuables (luggage, cameras, etc.) as well as the spending of health.​

 

 

Visa :
The nationals of the European Union, Switzerland and of Canada need only a passport (valid still at least 6 months á dates her(it) return) to return in Chile.
The Chilean government collects a tax of "reciprocity" of 100 / 15 / 30 / 55 USD from the newcomers of United State of America / Mexicans / Austalians / Canadians to answer to similar practices in their respective country, which asks for a visa for the nationals.
In the arrival to Chile, the travelers see handing a stamped index form (tourist  card), valid 90 days and renewable once.

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Measures :
Chile uses the metric system

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Religion:
Both most practised religions are, the Catholicism (90 %) and the Protestantism (10 %). The Jewish and Protestant religions (Lutheran or Calvinist) are also practised and the Pentecostal and Mormon religious movements count numerous followers.

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Schedule:
Chile is late of 4 hours at once GMT in winter and of 3 hours in summer.​

 

 

Health:
No vaccine is required for the entrance in Chile. It is however recommend to protect itself against certain diseases as the tetanus, the typhoid, the diphtheria and the hepatitis (A, and B).

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Safety :
Chile is doubtless the country most secure in South America. On the other hand, on markets and in streets, we shall have interest, as in many of the other countries, to watch its bag.

 

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That it is necessary to take :
The main charm of Chile lies in the main outdoor activities : you will have interest in putting in your suitcase comfortable and practical clothes. In the desert of Atacama (as on the Eastern Island) the sun can be particularly dangerous and cause grave burns. It is necessary to foresee some sunblocker cream, sunglasses and hat. In the altiplano, it is essential to arm itself with shoes and with warm and waterproof clothes, as well as with one wind cutter. A flashlight, a Swiss knife, and gloves can turn out useful.

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Climat :
Considering the morphology of the country, it is easy to understand that the climate is very varied there : the country in the ice-cold feet, the wet stomach, and the dry head. It is very varied according to the Latitude but also to the Height. Chile being in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are inverted with regard to the European seasons there. In July-August, we are right in the heart of the winter and January-February are months summer. We distinguish 4

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Climatic zones:

- In the South, the climate is cold and rainy all year long, with violent winds. In summer the average temperature is of 11Cº, in winter of 3Cº.
- In the region of lakes, the climate is moderated and more and more rainy as one descent southward. Temperature averages in summer: 15Cº, in winter: 7Cº.
- In the center, the climate is of type méditérranéen, rather dry. Summers are warm, average temperature is of 28Cº and soft winter with an average of 10Cº.
- In the North, the climate is desertique: the temperature can rise during the day until 40Cº and come fall at night in 10Cº. In winter, the temperature is sweet with 20Cº on average.

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Geography:
Chile stretches on more of 4300km from north to south with an average of 200km wide.

 

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Population:
The population of Chile amounts to 14 million habitants, among whom 66 % are half-bloods, 25 % of the Europeans and 5 % of Amériendiens. 82 % of the Chileans are in urban zone and 70 % live in the central valley. The capital, Santiago, shelters more than 4.5 million inhabitants. The density is 18 habitants per square kilometre.