9781422286401

A wide variety of climates and geographic features can be found within Chile. (Opposite) Snow-capped Mount Osorno, a volcano in the Andes, rises more than 8,500 feet (2,593 meters) over Lake Llanquihue in Patagonia. (Right) The Atacama Desert is the driest spot on earth, averaging just .002 inches (.005 cm) of rain a year. 1

Land of the Andes

CHILE IS ACOUNTRY of extreme beauty and startling contrasts. Attractions range from the towering volcanic peaks of the Andes to the foggy ancient forests of the Lake District. On the other hand, the Atacama Desert, one of the world’s driest regions, is also one of the most inhospitable places on earth. Chile stretches through more than 38 degrees of latitude: the tropic of Capricorn cuts through the north of the country, while at its southernmost extreme Chile lies closer to the Antarctic Circle than any other country. This great north-south extension has given Chile a range of climates. A Ribbon-Like Country From north to south, Chile—located in southwestern South America— runs about 2,650 miles (4,265 kilometers), roughly the distance between

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