Tourism in Chile: Difference between revisions

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[[Pan de Azúcar National Park]] is a park where sea and desert meet.
[[Pan de Azúcar National Park]] is a park where sea and desert meet.

Also, [[Astronomy in Chile|there more than a dozen of astronomical facilities]], including optical observatories and radio observatories. Among others, the most important are: [[Paranal Observatory|Paranal]] ([[Very Large Telescope|VLT]]), the most advanced and powerful astronomical complex of the planet; <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eso.cl/paranal.php|title=Paranal Observatory (in Spanish) |accessdate = December 4, 2011 |format = PHP |author=[[European Southern Observatory]] (ESO) |date=s/f |publisher=www.eso.cl}}</ref> the ALMA ([[Atacama Large Millimeter Array]]), to date the largest astronomical project in the world; <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eso.cl/alma.php |title=ALMA (in Spanish)|accessdate=December 4, 2011 |format = PHP |author = European Southern Observatory (ESO) |date=s/f |publisher=www.eso.cl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.almaobservatory.org/es/inicio |title=Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array |accessdate=December 4th, 2011 |author = ALMA |date=s/f |publisher=www.almaobservatory.org}}</ref> and [[La Silla Observatory|La Silla]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eso.cl/lasilla.php |title=La Silla Observatory (in Spanish) |accessdate=December 4, 2011 |format = PHP |author=European Southern Observatory (ESO) |date=s/f |publisher=www.eso.cl}}</ref> all dependent of ESO ([[European Southern Observatory]]). In January 2015, the travel section of ''[[The New York Times]]'' said the [[Elqui Valley]] as the 5th of the 52 places it had to visit in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/01/11/travel/52-places-to-go-in-2015.html |title=52 Places to Go in 2015 - 5. Elqui Valley, Chile |accessdate = January 13, 2015 |format = HTML |author=''[[The New York Times]]'' |date = January 9, 2015 |publisher=www.nytimes.com}}</ref>

In this area, it can see the [[flowering desert]], a phenomenon that occurs between September and November (most in last years) with normal range rainfall in the desert. <ref>{{web cite |url=http://www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Nacional/2011/11/695014/El-desierto-de-Atacama-florece-como-nunca-en-los-ultimos-20-anos |title=The Atacama desert flourishes as never in the past 20 years (in Spanish) |accessdate = June 22, 2013 |author=[[Agence France-Presse]] |date=November 7, 2011 |publisher=www.lasegunda,com}}</ref> In the end of the Norte Grande, near [[Putre]], it can see the set formed by the [[Chungará Lake|Lake Chungará]], one of the highest lakes in the world with 4500 [[m]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highestlake.com/highest-lake-world.html |title=The Highest Lake in the World |accessdate = June 11, 2012 |format = HTML |author=Drews, Carl |date = August 20, 2010 |publisher=www.highestlake.com}}</ref> and [[Parinacota (volcano)|Parinacota volcano]]. [[San Pedro de Atacama]] is very visited by foreign tourists to appreciate the architecture of the town, the highland lakesand the [[Moon Valley (Chile)|Moon Valley]].

The coastal resorts of the area Norte Grande like [[Arica]], [[Iquique]], [[Antofagasta]]- host to the national tourism during the summer months.


== Norte Chico ==
== Norte Chico ==

Revision as of 04:03, 27 July 2015

Promotional videos on tourism in Chile and Easter Island of Sernatur.

Since the mid-1990s, the tourism in Chile has become one of the main economic resources of the country, especially in its most extreme areas. In 2005 this sector grew by 13.6%, generating more than & nbsp;  1 500 millions US dollars, equivalent to 1.33% of national GDP.

According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), Chile was the eighth popular destination for foreign tourists within America in 2010, after USA, Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.[1] That year entered the country 2 766 000 tourists generated revenue of USD 1 636 million[2] The majority of these visitors came from American countries, mainly Argentina; however, the biggest growth in recent years has corresponded to visitors of Europe, especially Germany[3][dead link] During the first quarter of 2011, came more than 1 043 000 tourists, which represented an increase of 9,2 % over the same period last year,[4] which became a total of 3 069 792 until the end of the year.[3]

Located in the southwest corner of South America, Chile it describes normally made up of three geographic areas.[5] The first one, known as continental Chile, comprises a long and narrow strip of land on the west coast of Southern Cone that extends between the parallels 17°29'57" S and 56°32'12" S, mostly from the southeastern shore of the Pacific Ocean to the Andes throughout 4270 km [6] The second, called insular Chile, corresponds to a set of islands volcanic origin in the South Pacific Ocean: the Juan Fernández archipelago and Desventuradas Islands, belonging to South America, the Salas y Gómez Island and Easter Island Geographically located in the Polynesia. The third, called Chilean Antarctic Territory,[7] is an area of the Antarctica[8] de 1 250 257,6 km² between meridians 53° W and 90° W on which Chile claims sovereignty, extending its southern boundary to the South Pole. Because of its presence in America, Oceania and Antarctica, Chile describes itself as a country tricontinental.[5][9][10]

The latitudinal width of the country, which spans over 39 degrees, which reach more than 72 if include the Chilean Anthartic Territory-, its relief and influence of the Pacific Ocean are the main factors behind the climatic variety and landscape of Chile,[5] which determines the development of the formation of different ecosystems in the country.

The main Chilean attractions correspond to its coast of 6435 km long,[11] the Andes, with its ski resorts, its mountains and volcanoes - islands and archipelagos -Easter Island is one of the Chilean main attractions, and landscapes venues -integrated by 14 natural monuments, 36 National Parks, 10 biosphere reserves, 52 natural reserves, 39 sanctuaries of Nature and 12 Ramsar sites-, mainly of the extreme parts of the country.[12]

Among the souvenirs of Chile, include the wines, work on copper and wood, textiles and crafts in general.[13]

Norte Grande

See also: Norte Grande, Chile
Lauca National Park

Atacama Desert, the driest in the world [14] —in October 2014, the travel guide publisher Lonely Planet highlighted this desert as the ninth among the ten regions that had to go in 2015—;[15] which has been inhabited for several thousand years, makes up the main portion of Norte Grande. A myriad of geoglyphs, petroglyphs and pictographs attest the presence of ancient cultures in the area. Among the most remarkable are those of Azapa Valley, Lluta Valley, the Atacama Giant and Pintados Geoglyphs, these latter are protected within Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve. R. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum and Archaeological Museum of San Miguel de Azapa are home to the most important collections of artifacts and mummies in Chile, including the famous Chinchorro mummies, the oldest mummies in the world[16], of Chinchorro culture developed between 5000 and 1700. C. The extreme aridity of the Atacama has been a key factor in the preservation of such archaeological remains. the Chuquicamata copper deposit, the largest open pit mine in the world; [17]. And the remains of extractions made from 12,000 and 10,000 years ago in a mine of iron oxide, the oldest mine on the continent [18] [19].

Arica is a coastal city with beautiful beaches and is also a starting point for travelers heading east to Putre for enjoying the majestic Puna landscape of Lauca National Park. Southward from Lauca, Volcán Isluga National Park includes ceremonial sites for the Aymara people.

La Portada Natural Monument

Inland from Iquique, the desolate pampas are home to a few scattered towns and villages. Among those, the most interesting is the ghost town of Humberstone, declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 2005. In this area the tamarugo forests of the Pampa del Tamarugal break the barren monotony of the landscape.

Paranal Observatory, at an altitude of 2635 meters above sea level, is the world's most advanced ground-based astronomical observatory.[20]

The altiplano of Norte Grande has a wide variety of natural scenery including salt flats, volcanoes, lakes and geysers. San Pedro de Atacama and surrounding area offer one of most spectacular combinations of archeology and awe-inspiring natural sights. San Pedro was the cradle of the Atacameño Culture. Villages with interesting cultural past are Caspana, Toconao, Socaire and Chiu Chiu. Notable are also the pre-Hispanic fortresses of Quitor, Lasana and Turi. Two popular destinations in this area are Valley of the Moon, so-named because its landscape resembles the moon, and El Tatio Geysers. Antofagasta is the largest city in Norte Grande. La Portada, a stunning natural arch, is located a short drive from Antofagasta.

Pan de Azúcar National Park is a park where sea and desert meet.

Also, there more than a dozen of astronomical facilities, including optical observatories and radio observatories. Among others, the most important are: Paranal (VLT), the most advanced and powerful astronomical complex of the planet; [21] the ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter Array), to date the largest astronomical project in the world; [22][23] and La Silla,[24] all dependent of ESO (European Southern Observatory). In January 2015, the travel section of The New York Times said the Elqui Valley as the 5th of the 52 places it had to visit in 2015.[25]

In this area, it can see the flowering desert, a phenomenon that occurs between September and November (most in last years) with normal range rainfall in the desert. [26] In the end of the Norte Grande, near Putre, it can see the set formed by the Lake Chungará, one of the highest lakes in the world with 4500 m,[27] and Parinacota volcano. San Pedro de Atacama is very visited by foreign tourists to appreciate the architecture of the town, the highland lakesand the Moon Valley.

The coastal resorts of the area Norte Grande like Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta- host to the national tourism during the summer months.

Norte Chico

See also: Norte Chico, Chile
Elqui Valley

The Andes of Norte Chico are home to many of the highest volcanoes in the world, the highlight being the Ojos del Salado of 6891.3 m, the world´s highest volcano and the highest peak in Chile[28] -the second of the continent and Southern and Western hemisphere-[29]. Apart from Ojos del Salado and the rest of the volcanoes, attractions in this portion of the Andes include Nevado Tres Cruces National Park and Laguna Verde.

Norte Chico boasts some of the best beaches and exclusive coastal resorts in the country, such as Bahía Inglesa and those of La Serena.

The clear skies of Norte Chico and its world-renowned infrastructure have made it ideal for astronomical tourism[citation needed].

Elqui Valley is a very popular destination. Here, the dazzling green of the valley floor contrasts nicely with the barren brown slopes of the mountains that flank it.

Zona Central

See also: Zona Central, Chile
Viña del Mar

This area is home to the main ski resorts in Chile, which attract a significant number of tourists from the northern hemisphere because the reversed alpine skiing season. They are Chapa Verde, Portillo, Valle Nevado and Termas de Chillán. Furthermore, Wine tourism is common in Zona Central, and the Wine Routes of the Casablanca, Cachapoal and Colchagua valleys are some of the finest in Chile.

Apart from the national capital itself and its many attractions, the metropolitan region surrounding Santiago includes several attractions such as the Cajón del Maipo, Pomaire, and some of the oldest vineyards in the country, as well as various archaeological sites.[30]

West of Santiago, Valparaíso is a wonderful, amphitheater-shaped city, whose historic quarter has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. Its neighboring city, Viña del Mar, attracts a large number of foreign tourists, particularly from Argentina.

The O'Higgins Region, south of Santiago, is known as "Huaso country" for its rural criollo culture.[31] Pichilemu, in the O'Higgins Region, is reputed to have the best beaches for Surfing in Chile, if not the world.[32] Other tourist sites in the O'Higgins region include the historically significant city of Rancagua, Sewell and the Rio de los Cipreses nature reserve.

Further south in the Maule and Bio Bio regions are the Radal Siete Tazas National Reserve and Laguna del Laja National Park.

Zona Sur

See also: Zona Sur
Volcano and Lake Villarrica in Pucón

Araucanía Region is the heartland of the Mapuche people. This area exhibits an incipient development of Indigenous tourism, in different sectors. in the coastal area of Araucania Ethnological tourism is developed on the banks Mapuche Budi Lake.

The Andean sector of Araucania, highlight the great national parks, such as Conguillio National Park the forest of araucarias, Villarrica National Park, huerquehue National Park, Tolhuaca National Park besides the national reserves as Alto Biobio National Reserve, Malalcahuello National Reserve, Nalcas National Reserve, Malleco National Reserve, China Muerta National Reserve.

The capital of Araucania is Temuco, city of different service, hotels, tourist circuits, airport, markets, and the symbolic and historic sectors, the Cerro Ñielol Natural Monument is an icon of this city, and the most important tourist point.

The Lake District is characterized by piedmont lakes crowned by snowcapped volcanoes, whose lower flanks are covered with lush forests of native trees. Lovely towns and villages dot the lakesides, chiefly Pucón, Villarrica, Frutillar and Puerto Varas. Puerto Montt is the tourist hub of the region.

Valdivia

The most visited national parks include Puyehue National Park and Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, the latter is Chile's oldest national park.

Valdivia is one of Chile's most beautiful cities, recognition received mainly because of its lush natural surrounding. South from the city lies the colonial Valdivian Fort System.

The almost perfect cone of Osorno Volcano is an iconic landmark in the region. Alike Villarrica Volcano, which is one of the few volcanoes in the world that have an active Lava lake.

As an added bonus, this zone includes the granite domes of the Cochamó Valley.

Zona Austral

See also: Zona Austral
Baker River

Zona Austral is a premier destination for Ecotourism and Adventure travel. It features countless islands and islets, a maze of steep-sided fjords and channels, large glaciers and icefields and exuberant unspoilt temperate rainforests. Turbulent rivers descend from the Andes, chief of those being the Futaleufú River, which is widely considered one of the world's most challenging rivers for whitewater kayaking and rafting. Other opportunities for outdoor recreation, include hiking, cycling, sea kayaking and flyfishing.

Chiloé is characterized by having a rolling green countryside, but is better known for its peculiar wooden architecture and for its culture, which is full of myths and traditions. Also is remarkable its temperate rainforests.

Torres del Paine National Park

The scenic Carretera Austral crosses or is nearby to many of the most popular destinations in this portion of Chile. Those include Pumalín Park, Yelcho Lake, Queulat National Park, Cerro Castillo National Reserve, General Carrera Lake and Caleta Tortel.

Laguna San Rafael National Park is the only park where visitors can contemplate at the same time the huge glaciers of Patagonia and the rich diversity of plants of the Valdivian Ecoregion.

Pío XI Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers in the world, is a must-see in the Chilean Inside Passage.

Torres del Paine National Park is the main attraction in Zona Austral and one of the most beautiful national parks in the world.

The sprawling glaciers of the Cordillera Darwin, which is contained within Alberto de Agostini National Park, are reachable only by boat. Other typical destinations are Puerto Williams and Cape Horn.

Easter Island

See also: Easter Island

Easter Island is world-renowned for its cultural, unique and natural heritage. It is named Easter Island because it was discovered on Easter Sunday in 1722. It also has mysterious statues which have been shrouded in mystery since their discovery.

Juan Fernández Islands

See also: Juan Fernández Islands
Juan Fernández Islands

Juan Fernández Archipelago is also well known for its jungles and endemic flora. The Juan Fen´nadez islands are also known for being inhabited by Alexander Selkirk, the man who inspired the Robinson Crusoe novel. In 1966 the Chilean government renamed Isla Más Afuera to Alejandro Selkirk and Isla Más a Tierra to Robinson Crusoe, in order to promote tourism. Incidentally, Selkirk never set foot on Más Afuera, only on Más a Tierra.

Ethical Traveler Destination

Chile has been included in the 2010, 2011 and 2012 lists of "The Developing World's 10 Best Ethical Destinations." This is an annual ranking produced by Ethical Traveler magazine, which is based on a study of developing nations from around the world to identify the best tourism destinations among them. The benchmarking uses categories such as environmental protection, social welfare, and human rights.[33][34][35]

See also

References

  1. ^ World Tourism Organization (WTO) (2010). "Regional Results: Americas". UNWTO Tourism Highlights 2011 Edition (PDF). p. 8. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference wto was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b National Tourism Service (SERNATUR). "Studies and statistics - Statistics - Arrivals of foreign tourists to Chile - By nationality: Foreign tourists entered by nationality, 2011" (PHP) (in Spanish). www.sernatur.cl. Retrieved June 19, 2012.
  4. ^ National Tourism Service (SERNATUR) (April 1, 2011). "Arrival of foreign tourists to Chile increased by 9% (in Spanish)". www.sernatur.cl. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c National Statistics Institute (Chile) (INE) (October 2006). "Statistical Compendium 2006 (in Spanish)" (PDF). www.ine.cl. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
  6. ^ "Geography". Chile: A Country Study. Washington DC: GPO for The Library of Congress. 1994. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs (June 21, 1955). "Decree 1747, 1955 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs". Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference dpd was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Presidency of the Republic, Ministry General Secretariat of Government (MSGG) (2007). "National Geography: Location, size and extension (in Spanish)" (ASP). www.gobiernodechile.cl. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
  10. ^ Icarito. "Chile: A tri-continental country (in Spanish)". www.icarito.cl. Retrieved March 29, 2008.
  11. ^ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2011). [=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2060.html#ci "Coastline"]. www .cia.gov. Retrieved April 30, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  12. ^ Lonely Planet (April 2, 2012). "Destinations - South America - Chile: Overview". www.lonelyplanet.com. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  13. ^ Iglesias, Rafael (1987). "Chile - If you plan to visit Chile - Best Buys". Almanaque Mundial 1988 (in Spanish). Panama: Editorial América S.A. p. 252.
  14. ^ Bolívar Manaut, Luna (November 27, 2006). "A plenty of sun, good is the water" (HTML). www.dw-world.de. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  15. ^ Lonely Planet (s/f). "Best in Travel 2015: Top 10 regions - 9. Atacama Desert". www.lonelyplanet.com. Retrieved January 13, 2015. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ Template:Publication cite
  17. ^ Codelco (s/f). "Operations - Chuquicamata" (HTML). www.codelco.com. Retrieved November 22, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ Rodríguez, F. (May 20, 2011). "Study confirms oldest mine in America was in Taltal (in Spanish)". La Tercera. p. 52. Retrieved May 21, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ University of Chicago Press Journals (May 20, 2011). [=http://www.sciencenewsline.com/archaeology/2011052013000004.html "Archaeologists uncover oldest mine in the Americas"] (HTML). ScienceNewsline. Retrieved May 21, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  20. ^ "Yepun and the Milky Way". Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  21. ^ European Southern Observatory (ESO) (s/f). "Paranal Observatory (in Spanish)" (PHP). www.eso.cl. Retrieved December 4, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ European Southern Observatory (ESO) (s/f). "ALMA (in Spanish)" (PHP). www.eso.cl. Retrieved December 4, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ ALMA (s/f). "Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array". www.almaobservatory.org. Retrieved December 4th, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  24. ^ European Southern Observatory (ESO) (s/f). "La Silla Observatory (in Spanish)" (PHP). www.eso.cl. Retrieved December 4, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ The New York Times (January 9, 2015). "52 Places to Go in 2015 - 5. Elqui Valley, Chile" (HTML). www.nytimes.com. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  26. ^ Agence France-Presse (November 7, 2011). "The Atacama desert flourishes as never in the past 20 years (in Spanish)". www.lasegunda,com. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  27. ^ Drews, Carl (August 20, 2010). "The Highest Lake in the World" (HTML). www.highestlake.com. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  28. ^ "Ojos del Salado -Cara Norte/North Face" (PDF) (in Spanish and English). www.los6000dechile.cl. s/f. Retrieved March 9, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  29. ^ Turrel, Marc, and Jorge Velasco (May 18, 2007). "Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano in the world (in Spanish)" (PHP). desnivel.com. Retrieved July 20, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ "Arqueologia.cl". Arqueologia.cl. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  31. ^ "About Chile & It's People". O'Higgins Tours. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  32. ^ "Pichilemu". TurismoLibertador. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  33. ^ "Ethical travel destinations unveiled: Argentina, Barbados, Chile". The Independent. Relaxnews. 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  34. ^ Jane Esberg, Jeff Greenwald and Natalie Lefevre. "The Developing World's 10 Best Ethical Destinations". Ethical Traveler. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  35. ^ "The Developing World's 10 Best Ethical Destinations: 2012". Ethical Traveler. 2012-01-05. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
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