Chile is a long, narrow country stretching along South America's western edge, with more than 6,000km of Pacific Ocean coastline. Santiago, its capital, sits in a valley surrounded by the Andes and Chilean Coast Range mountains. The city's palm-lined Plaza de Armas contains the neoclassical cathedral and the National History Museum. The massive ParqueMetropolitano offers swimming pools, a botanical garden and zoo.

Near Santiago, Valparaíso features beaches, resorts and La Sebastiana, one of several homes-turned-museums of poet Pablo Neruda. Patagonia, the rugged, sparsely populated southern region that extends into Argentina, offers hiking among the granite towers of Torres del Paine, glaciers and a steppe. Mountain resorts such as Portillo and Valle Nevado are popular for skiing and climbing. A major wine producer, Chile is home to dozens of wineries spread out over multiple regions. About 3,700km off the coast, isolated Easter Island is known for its giant, mysterious moai statues.