Post of the Month:
Santiago
In a Land of Treasures
Easter Island stands out in many ways
Click on any of the pictures to see a larger size with captions.
By Jim Foster The author is the public affairs officer in Santiago.
hile is a geologic and geographic wonder of a country, nearly 2,900 miles long and on average about 100 miles wide. Within its boundaries, one finds almost every kind of climate and terrain.
In the north is a forbidding desert where rainfall averages only one inch a decade. The fertile valleys of central Chile support most of the country's population and a world-famous wine industry. The south features an idyllic lake district, impressive forests, volcanoes and glaciers and the windswept isolation of Patagonia.
For those who want to travel to Chile's farthest extremes, there are the Juan Fernandez Islands, Easter Island and Antarctica. At least since the days of Charles Darwin, visitors have been stun-ned by Chile's beauty and variety. Most people posted to Santiago for a three-year tour don't find time to see it all.
The embassy, with a staff of 80 Americans and about 150 Foreign Service Nationals and contractors, is located in a modern mixed residential and business section of Santiago, a city of 5 million people that offers all modern conveniences.
Santiago, founded in 1541, is still the center of Chile--geographically, culturally, politically and economically. It enjoys a climate similar to that of southern California and is two hours or less from ski resorts in one direction and coastal beaches in the other. Santiago offers a wealth of cultural and artistic attractions, and remarkable tourist and sports activities are available in the capital and throughout the country. From opera and art openings, to mountain climbing and trout fishing, there is always plenty to do and see.
Dining in Chile is a delight for seafood lovers. Fruit and vegetables are plentiful, especially in the spring and summer, and the wine is great. Beef lovers can simply cross the border into neighboring Argentina.
Those fortunate enough to serve in Santiago soon discover that Chile's people are as impressive as her geography. Our Chilean colleagues in the mission are remarkably talented professionals--both collegial and dedicated. Chileans are justifiably proud of their culture and society and happy to explain them to strangers. They are unfailingly hospitable and gracious to visitors and temporary residents.
Communicating with the local people is far easier for those who speak Spanish, and many embassy positions are language-designated. The mission encourages people bound for Santiago to pick up as much Spanish as they can before they arrive, and the post offers a very active Spanish language program.
Chile is blessed with ample natural resources, and a commitment to free trade has made it an economic model in the region and elsewhere. The United States is Chile's chief trading partner and its leading investor. Chilean fruits, wine and salmon, all of excellent quality, can be found in U.S. markets.
Thanks to open market economic policies, Chile has enjoyed steady economic growth and stability over the past two decades. Its government takes a leadership role in economic globalization and fully supports mission efforts in key areas such as the rule of law, environmental protection and continuing efforts to strengthen democratic institutions. In fact, since Bernardo O'Higgins led Chile to independence nearly two centuries ago, relations between the United States and Chile have never been better.
HomePage | Past Posts |