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Credits:

Photographs, research and writing by Drew Carney.

Santiago

Introduction to Santiago

On a map, the long, impossibly thin line of Chile's border is sure to produce a double-take. When I finally discovered it in my atlas, it was hard to even comprehend that there was a functioning country trapped between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes.

Chile stretches over 4,300 km (2,700 miles) along the southwestern coast of South America; roughly akin to the distance between San Francisco and New York. That’s a long way, but what’s more striking is that Chile is only about 200 miles across at its widest point. And within that stretched out sliver is a country of extreme natural beauty, with attractions ranging from the volcanic peaks of the Andes to the ancient forests of the Lake District.

Chile’s main city and capital, Santiago, couldn't be farther from the rough edge of wilderness though - it's rather ideally situated on an inland plain with the aforementioned Andes glimmering in the distance. The fifth largest city in South America seems destined for growth, too, so it begs some comparison to my hometown of Los Angeles, California. Like L.A., Santiago is one of the most modern cities on its continent, home to nearly 5 million inhabitants - over a third of all Chileans - and is Chile's center of commerce. The similarities don’t end there - both cities share an inviting temperate climate, the same relentless traffic jams, and comparable smog-smudged views. You’d also be hard-pressed to call either city aesthetically beautiful, exactly.

But unlike L.A., Santiago (especially its center) is compact and manageable, and not without a certain appealing energy and pleasant atmosphere.

Orientation is fairly simple once you find the Rio Mapocho – the river bisects Santiago, marking the northern border of the city center. On the south is the Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins (that’s a mouthful, which is why most locals refer to it simply as the Alameda). Fortunately for visitors, most of the city’s major museums and sights are found within this triangular core.

Should you want to stray farther afield, Santiago is also the focal point of a region filled with appealing outdoor activities. The main South American ski centers are only 60 km away (the ski season runs June – September), and beautiful Pacific beaches are only an hour's drive northwest (summer is December- February). Just to the south lie the beautiful vineyards of the Maipo Valley.

But Chile ain't exactly cheap, in the manner of many of its South American neighbors. Because of its strong economy (the healthiest in South America) a relatively well-developed transportation system and close proximity to natural wonders, however, Santiago makes a desirable destination for adventurers and casual tourists alike.

Location