Chile Overview

History of Chile

Ancient History

The first humans in Chile arrived about 12,000 BC and were hunting and gathering communities like much of the world. However, in the North of Chile, archaeologists have discovered farming settlements as early as 2,500 BC. For the most part, Chile remained a country of random hunting and gathering groups or small agricultural centered tribes known as the Araucanians. The Araucanians were nomadic tribes belonging to three different cultural groups, the Mapuches, the Picunche, and the Huilliche. Though all considered Araucanian Indians, these three groups had little political and cultural unity, only occasionally aligning on military interests.

It wasn’t until the Incas conquered northern Chile in the 15th century that there became a more central rule in the north’s territories. Meanwhile, the local indigenous groups of the Araucanians continued life without the influence of the Inca empire in the north. By 1533, a newly established power entered Chile, the Spanish Empire. Under the rule of General Pedro de Valdivia, modern-day Santiago, the country’s capital, was founded in 1540.

Tensions between the local Mapuches and Spanish colonizers continued to grow throughout the occupation. The Araucanians fought off soldiers and colonizers who persisted in entering their terrain to create new Spanish cities. Finally, in 1553, the Araucanians organized a rebellion known as the Araucanian Wars, nearly capturing Santiago and razing several other Spanish colonies in the process. However, an epidemic of smallpox among the tribes halted the war and resulted in a staggering defeat for the Araucanians. While the Mapuches were pushed back into forested, outlying regions, the Picunche and the Huilliche were either killed or assimilated into the dominant mestizo culture. Despite these constant clashes, by the end of the 17th century, the population of Chile was about 100,000, and by the end of the 18th century, it was nearly 500,000, most of whom were people of mixed race.

Recent History

In 1970, Salvador Allende (a socialist) was elected president of Chile. Allende tried to bring business back to national industries and created extreme agricultural reforms. Nonetheless, the government’s deficit was still too large. The price of coppper fell internationally and inflation exponentially increased in chile. In 1973, a coup was formed by Augusto Pinochet which turned into a destructive dictatorship. While his tactics were not admirable, Pinochet did bring some economic success, at first. Unemployment decreased and inflation settled. Though, in the 1980s, Chile entered a recession and took years to recover.

In 1980, a new constitution was written by Pinochet stating that he would rule until 1988. It would then be up to the people on whether or not they have a military rule or an election. As one can predict, the Chileans opted for an election and in 1989 elected a Christian Democrat named Patricio Aylwin as president.

Regions of Chile

Atacama & Northern Chile

In the North, there is the majestic Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world. Here, stargazing is considered to be some of the best in the world. Thanks to a lack of pollution and the desert’s dry terrain, Atacama has the clearest night skies on the planet.

Andes Mountain Range

This mountain range runs all along with Chile from north to south. The peaks of over 20,000 feet (6000 m) can be found between Santiago to Puerto Montt, which is from the Central Zone to the northern edge of Zona Austral. The Andes are called Cordillera de los Andes or Los Andes in Spanish.

The Central Valley

This region is home to over 100 volcanoes, as well as numerous glaciers and flat areas that support local cattle, horses, and sheep. The central valley starts from north of Santiago and ends near Puerto Montt, at the start of Zona Austral. This narrow valley has a maximum width of only 50 miles (80 km).

Chilean Coastal Range

The Chilean Coastal Range is a mountain range that runs parallel to the Andes mountain range but follows the Pacific coast. The highest peaks are near Santiago de Chile at over 10,200 feet or 3110 meters and end at the Chile Triple Junction.

Southern Chile & Antarctica

At the southern tip of Chile’s mainland is Punta Arenas. Located along the Strait of Magellan, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, this region of Patagonia is incredibly unique. Nearby is also the southernmost point of South America, Cape Horn, a 1,390-foot (424 m) rock on Horn Island in the Wollaston group. Often the base for expeditions to Antarctica and nearby glaciers, Puntas Arenas and the rest of southernmost Chile provide plenty of adventure opportunities, whether it be trekking, penguin and whale spotting, or scenic, glacial cruises.

Chile also claims over 482,628 sq mi (1,250,000 sq km) of Antarctic territory; the Juan Fernández Islands, about 400 mi (644 km) west of the mainland; and Easter Island, about 2,000 mi (3,219 km) west.