Introducing this place:

Santiago is the biggest city of Chile which is a small country in South America. It serves as its Capital city also. Lying in central valley of Chile, Santiago is a city that lies at a height of 520 m above sea level.

Santiago has become one the biggest metropolitan city in Latin America, thanks to its economic growth in the past two decades. The city’s infrastructure and facilities are on par with any modern developed city in the world today. It also has a highly developed suburban area.

Sightseeing:

• Plaza De Armas – This is the city palace and one of the most important historical monuments in the city. The plaza also has the National Cathedral.
• Santiago Centro – By Centro, we mean the Downtown area of the city. The downtown Santiago is a great place to go for a romantic stroll and enjoy the life of this joyful city.
• Parque Forestal – This is a huge park lying on the banks of River Mapocho. A great place to stroll and enjoy the beauty of the city, the Modern Art Museum and the National museum of Fine arts also lie here.
• Cerro Santa Lucia – This beautiful part has many fountains and provides a relaxing environment. There is another summit here which provides wonderful view of the various city building.
• Parque Metropolitano - This is a huge park with a zoon, two pools and a botanical garden. You can also climb on top of the Cerro San Cristobal to witness a breathtaking view of the City. You can reach this summit by taking a ride in the Cable Car, funicular or by hiking to it.
• La Chascona – This is the home of poet Pablo Neruda in the Bellavista neighborhood of Santiago. The house has many unusual art pieces which were a part of personal collection of Neruda.
• La Moneda Palace – This is the Presidential Palace in Santiago. You can get a guided tour but make sure that you reserve your place at least two weeks in advance.

Things and Sports to Do:

• Nightlife: Santiago has a very happening nightlife. Some of the best bars and pubs of the city are in Bellavista. Most of the pubs here open around 10 pm and don’t close until next morning. If you like Jazz then you can also attend many shows or go to a jazz club to have a great time. People of this city love to drink and party and you will love to hang out with them.
• Skiing: Santiago lies among mighty Andes Mountain which provides great skiing opportunities. The geographical and climatic situation of this city makes it a favorite among ski and snowboarding lovers. Santiago also holds various skiing and snowboarding championships. In fact, the entire country of Chile is said to be one of the best skiing destinations in the world.

Restaurants and Shopping:

Santiago is filled with malls where you can find various small shops selling various local and international items. Plaza Vespucio, Portal de La Dehesa, Alto Las Condes, Florida Center etc. are some prominent of this city. If you are looking for some high-end luxury shopping places then Nueva Costanera Av. And Alonso de Cordoba Street is great places to find some designer items. Centro Artesanal Santa Lucia is a good place to shop for handicrafts in Santiago.

People in Santiago love to eat and socialize. Thus, there are many restaurants all over this city. You can try the Anakena that lies in Hyatt Regency Hotel, Aqu

People and Culture:

Santiago has total population of more than 15,000,000 which comprises of White-Amerindians and Amerindians among other ethnic groups. Whites Amerindian is in majority and make up of more than 95% of the population. People in this city are mostly Roman Catholics with Jewish and Protestants in small minorities.

Most people in Santiago speak Spanish. Santiago has a fun loving and colorful culture. Cueca is the main dance of the country and is widely performed in the city festivals and parties. Santiago has quite a happening cultural scene. There are many theatre groups and clubs which enjoy a large fan following in the city. People in beautiful city love their culture and history which is apparent in various museums all around in Santiago.

Geography and Climate:

Santiago lies in a valley that is shaped like a bowl. This city lies in a large fertile area that is predominantly plain. The city is surrounded by Andes mountain ranges in east. These mighty mountains also have a Volcano peak known as Tupungato. Maipo, San Jose and Tupungatito are other volcanoes lying near Santiago.

As far as the climate of this city is concerned, then we can call it Mild Mediterranean. This makes the summers in the city moderate with temperature rising up to 35 degrees C. Summer months are between November and March in this city.

Winters months are from June to August and climate remains humid and cold during this period. The maximum temperature during winters in Santiago is 15 degrees C and it may even fall below 0 degrees C. Most of the rainfall in the city occurs during winter months only.

Economy, Prices and Living Standard:

Santiago is extremely important for Chile as it is the financial and industrial hub of the country. It makes around 45% of the total GDP of Chile. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean has also set their offices in this city.

Years if growth and economic stability combined with steady in flow of tourists have improved the living standards of locals in Santiago a lot. The prices are not too high and people can comfortably survive in this city.

Even for tourists, Santiago is not incredibly expensive. You will find things in your budget no matter how small it is.