Geography, history, and development of Chile

Chile, officially known as Republic of Chile, is a South American country with Peru, Bolivia Argentina as its neighboring countries. The Pacific Ocean borders it on the west and south. Santiago is both its capital and the largest city. The country is primarily urban as 1/3 of the total population inhabits the areas in and around Santiago and Vina Del Mar. Almost ninety percent of the Chileans are Roman Catholics whereas Spanish is the official language of the country ("Chile," 2012). This country in South America has a landscape filled with "dry deserts, snow-capped mountains, sandy beaches, and thick temperate rain forests" (Rau, 2007).

The climate in the country is as varied as its natural features. Aside from the apparently intense climatic conditions in some parts, the country enjoys a comfy and moderate climate ("Chile").

History

The southern part of the Chilean region was controlled by the Araucanians long before the arrival of the Spanish in the sixteenth century. On the other hand, the northern part of the land was under the control of the Inca Empire. In 1536, Francisco Pizarro sent Diego de Almagro from Peru for exploring the southern region. However, he was not successful in establishing a foothold in Chile. After four years, Pedro de Valdivia entered Chile and was successful in founding Santiago in 1541 in spite of solid confrontation by the Araucanians. Later, he also founded La Serena, Concepcion, and Valdivia. Thus, after an early period of relentless armed conflict with the inhabitants, the Spanish became successful in suppressing the native populace ("Chile," 2012).

Throughout most of the colonial era, Chile was reliant on the viceroyalty of Peru. However, it became a disconnected partition practically autonomous of Peru in 1778. After independence, the nonspecific territorial limits became the cause of prolonged border line disagreements with Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. Led by Juan Martinez de Rozas and Bernardo O'Higgins, the movements for an independent homeland were started in 1810 ("Chile," 2012).

The mutually elected supreme director, O'Higgins, officially announced the independence of Chile on February12, 1818 at Talca. He also was successful in establishing a military autocracy that portrayed the republic's politics until 1833. O'Higgins ruled the country from 1818 until 1823 after which he resigned as he faced strong opposition from a majority of people due to his despotic policies. A government that was devoid of any egalitarian forms was then established by the army. However, the centralistic constitution of 1833 was designed by Diego Portales that later helped Chile to experience the slow but sure surfacing of parliamentary government and an extended period of stability ("Chile," 2012).

In 1866, the Peru-Spain war involved Chile. This involvement led the republic to make its coast stronger and assemble a navy. Later, in the earlier 1900s, industrialization in the country began that raised Chile to a leading position among South American nations in next to no time. However, despite the fact that during 1926-1931 Chile enjoyed economic prosperity, the country underwent the negative consequences of the world economic depression due to its reliance on mineral exports and unpredictable world markets ("Chile," 2012).

In 1945, Chile declared war on Japan. Next year, Gabriel Gonzalez Videla was elected as the Chilean president. Later in 1964, Eduardo Frei Montalva became the president and made advancements and progression in land reform, education, housing, and labor. After six years, Salvador Allende Gossens became the first Marxist president in 1970. After Allende's death, the control of the country was taken over by Gen. Augusto Pinochet Ugarte who became the undisputed leader of Chile. During his leadership, the unemployment and labor unrest in the country increased. In the earlier phase of 1980s, the country again experienced a recession due to which there was a significant increase in the foreign debt ("Chile," 2012).

In 1989, Patricio Aylwin Azocar was elected as the new president of Chile under whose leadership, "Chile again turned toward democracy; the country's economy strengthened, as its exports were increased and its debt lowered" ("Chile," 2012). Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle became the country's next president in 1994. His free-market policies caused a substantial flow of foreign investment in the country. In 2000, Ricardo Lagos Escobar became the country's first Socialist president ever since Allende. In 2006, Michelle Bachelet became the first woman Chilean president. The center-left rule of 20 years ended in 2010 with Pinera's success ("Chile," 2012).

Tourism

Chile is justly considered as one of the most incredible and outstanding places on Earth. It is, if truth be told, home to both the world's most arid desert and rainiest place. Chile offers a wide variety of scenery including snow-capped volcanoes, chilly fjords, sun-drenched beaches, rich vineyards and caves at the bottom of the sea. It is difficult to choose just a few of this amazing country's attractions. However, once travelers and tourists find their top options, they are hardly ever dissatisfied. The Northern Desert & Altiplano, the Central Valley and Santiago, the rivers, lakes and volcanoes in the south, Patagonia and Antarctica, and the amazing islands are the main geographic zones in Chile. Chile is a must-see place as it has welcoming and pleasant people and excellent housings and dining. Thus, it offers a wealth of recreational opportunities to the tourists. On top of all this, Chile is a safe country for foreigners. This positive reputation along with a contemporary communications infrastructure and dynamic financial system give an added appeal for North American visitors who are in search of unique attractions ("Chile, the Country").

A true and diverse range of tourists, vacationers and explorers are attracted to Chile. Its soaring mountain peaks, uninhabited northern landscapes and glacier-filled inlets appeal adventure seekers. Geo-tourists come from the four corners of the earth to visit this mysterious country in order to explore its mesmerizing history and archaeological remains. Thus, the country's status for superior wines, mouth-watering food, hospitable environment and marvelous range of natural and cultural attractions makes it attractive for almost everyone ("Chile, the Country").

This is the reason why Chile's tourism bustle is facing a new position. Due to its geographical location, the development in the country was hindered for decades. However, modernization has enabled the country to take advantage of the opportunities it offers. The negative effect of its remoteness has been broken by new routes, bigger aircrafts, and the incredible improvement in communications. From a tourism point-of-view, the availability of a variety of resources and different products is a key factor for Chile being an important tourist destination. The main tourists are from United States of America, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil (Jafari, 2000).

The internal tourism has also grown due to "the increase in real income, decrease in unemployment, increased incorporation of women into the workforce and notable increase in ownership of family cars" (Jafari, 2000). To cut a long story short, natural attractions are the main reason why there has been an increase in the tourism investments in Chile in recent years. Thus, the country's natural beauty is the most important competitive advantage for it (Jafari, 2000).

Culture

The cultural homogeneity in Chilean land is being promoted by language and a common history. The remarkable fact is that the principles, morals, values and ethics of the Chilean identity are even shared by the Araucanians and certain Aymara minorities which at the same time attach importance to their own cultural heritage as well. It is incredible that Chileans have an amazing knack to display a high degree of broadmindedness and patience toward the customs and traditions of marginal groups in the country. The Chileans also demonstrate great tolerance towards Christian and non-Christian religious practices. One can easily observe the essence of local custom and tradition in Chile in the various vibrant religious festivals that happen at a variety of regions all over the country ("Chile").

Cueca is the national dance of the country whereas tonada is a form of traditional Chilean song. The most noteworthy of the creative arts in the country is its poetry. Santiago serves as a hub for much of the fine and performing arts of the country. The cultural events mainly take place between March and November. The famous pianist, Claudio Arrau, is considered as the most distinguished Chilean musicians. Santiago also is the main center of art galleries where the works of Chilean artists are exhibited and put up for sale. However, only a few commendable artists have been produced in the Chilean land; most noteworthy of which are Roberto Matta Echaurren (painter) and Marta Colvin (sculptor) ("Chile").

Tradition

Chileans have their long-established way of doing things. Their ways are relatively unusual from other people. Male Chileans are used to of greeting each other with a handshake in case they are not familiar to each other. However, when a Chilean man greets a woman or when two women greet each other, they give each other a kiss on the cheek. The informal relatives greet each other with a big hug (un abrazo) or a kiss on the cheek.

In Chilean society, everyone has a right to marry according to his/her will and liking. However, as Chile is a class-conscious society, people generally choose their life partners from comparable social and educational backgrounds. Chileans prefer nuclear family and thus it is the most dominant household unit in the country. Men are mostly the authoritative figure in the family. The families in low-income sectors are usually run by females as the dominant figure (Silva).

Conclusion

Thus, Chile is one of the most secure and wealthy nations of South America and is generally recognized all over the world as a middle power and a rising economy.