Explore Chile: 20 Fascinating Facts About This Enchanting Country

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Are you ready to uncover some fascinating and lesser-known facts about Chile? This stunning South American country is full of surprises.

The surreal beauty of nature is the first thing that stands out. From traveling to Easter Island to visiting the otherworldly Atacama Desert – from the crystal clear seawater of the beaches to the breathtaking peaks of Torres del Paine.

And I am not even talking about the unique animals you can see here. National Geographic could fill up multiple volumes with the local wonders.

There’s so much more than that. The culture is one of the most unique in the world.

Chilean culture mixes native heritage and European influence (primarily by Spanish language and culture).

Combined with fascinating places, traditions, and long history, there are many things to discover that might surprise you.

So, let’s get into 20 interesting facts you might not know about Chile.

1. Chile’s Official National Dance Is the Cueca

The La Cueca dance is a vibrant spectacle that brings to life the courtship ritual of a rooster and a hen. As the music fills the air, dancers elegantly twirl their handkerchiefs, an essential prop in this captivating performance.

Cueca tells a story of love, flirtation, and Chilean culture with each step and movement.

This mesmerizing dance was officially declared the national dance of Chile in 1979. Its origins date back to the Spanish colonial era (14th – 16th centuries), and over time it has become one of the most iconic dances in South America.

2. Chile Is One of the Most Earthquake Prone Countries

Chile sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire. By the way, the Ring of Fire is a geographic location with a ton of intense volcanic eruptions and seismic activity.

Consequently, the country experiences thousands of earthquakes annually, ranging from minor tremors to significant quakes. Only a few countries in the world have that many earthquakes.

Over the years, Chile has developed a comprehensive seismic monitoring system, implemented strict building codes, and invested in resilient infrastructure to ensure the safety of the Chilean population.

3. The Largest Earthquake Ever Recorded Was in Chile

While we’re on the topic of earthquakes, you might be interested to know that Chile holds the title for experiencing the largest earthquake ever recorded.

On the 22nd of May, 1960, a devastating natural disaster struck the country, measuring a staggering magnitude of 9.5 on the Richter scale.

Known as the Great Chilean Earthquake or the Valdivia Earthquake, it originated near the city of Valdivia in southern Chile. The earthquake unleashed immense energy, causing widespread destruction across the region.

It triggered landslides, collapsed buildings, and generated powerful tsunamis that affected coastal areas as far away as Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines.

4. The World’s Oldest Mummies Were Found in Chile

Chile holds a surprising ancient secret: it is home to the world’s oldest mummy, known as the Chinchorro mummies. These mummies are even older than ones found in Egypt!

The ancient Chinchorro tribe, one of the indigenous groups of the Atacama Desert, were mummifying their dead two thousand years before the Egyptian mummies.

The mummified remains were discovered in Camarones Valley and date back to around 5050 BC.

What’s even more fascinating is that the Chinchorro mummies include individuals from all walks of life, not just elite pharaohs.

These mummified remains and associated sites were recognized for their cultural significance and inscribed on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list in 2021.

5. The Tallest Building in South America Is in Chile

The Gran Torre Santiago rises above the Santiago, Chile’s capital city skyline as the tallest building in South America. It sits at 980 feet (300 meters) with 62 stories at the Costanera Center, the largest shopping mall in Latin America.

The Sky Costanera observation deck, on floors 61 and 62 of the Gran Torre, gives you a 360° view of Santiago and the majestic Andes mountain range.

6. Chile Is The Longest Country in the World

This is one of the most interesting Chile facts. Chile is the longest country in the world when measured north to south, crossing 39 degrees in latitude. The second longest is Brazil, crossing 38 degrees.

To put that into perspective, Chile stretches 2,653 miles (4,270 kilometers) from north to south, which is longer than measuring from the top of the continental US to the bottom of Mexico.

Chile’s unusual shape was caused by two factors – geography and colonialism. The Andes Mountains are mostly unlivable and create nature’s barrier. For this reason, conquistadors expanded their presence up and down the coast rather than inland.

Despite its length, Chile’s average width is only about 112 miles (180 kilometers) from east to west, also making it one of the narrowest countries in the world.

7. The Chilean Flag is One of the Oldest Flags Still in Use

The Chilean flag features three horizontal stripes in white, blue, and red, with a white five-pointed star in the upper left corner. 

It is one of the world’s oldest flags still in continuous use, with a design that has remained largely unchanged since its adoption in 1817.

8. Atacama Desert is the Driest Desert in the World

The Atacama Desert is the driest desert on Earth. It is also considered the oldest desert in the world.

It is located in northern Chile and stretches for approximately 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) along the Pacific coast. The total area of the desert is about 41,000 square miles (105,000 square kilometers).

The average annual rainfall here is less than 0.04 inches (1 millimeter) – the lowest average rainfall in the world. Certain areas have recorded no precipitation for decades.

These arid conditions create an otherworldly landscape characterized by vast salt flats, sand dunes, and rocky terrain.

Interestingly, the desert terrain and harsh conditions are so similar to those of Mars that NASA often field tests Mars Rovers here.

Additionally, the Atacama Desert in Chile is renowned as one of the world’s best destinations for stargazing and observing the Milky Way. This is thanks to its dry conditions and high elevation, which offer low humidity and excellent visibility.

BUT, here’s another fun fact within this fun fact. While the Atacama desert is the driest desert (in the traditional sense of a sandy desert), the actually driest place in the world is in Antarctica! (which is also a desert in itself!)

9. Chile’s Official National Drink Is Pisco

In Chile, the alcoholic drink pisco holds a special place in the hearts of the locals. This traditional South American brandy is the official national drink, and Chileans have even dedicated a day to celebrate it.

On February 8th, they commemorate the “Day of the Pisco Sour,” where people come together to honor this beloved spirit.

One of the most famous drinks featuring pisco is the Pisco Sour cocktail. This refreshing drink combines pisco with freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar or syrup, and a frothy topping of beaten egg whites.

10. Chile Is Home to the World’s Biggest Swimming Pool

The San Alfonso del Mar Resort in the coastal city of Algarrobo (Central Chile) is the Guinness World Record holder for having the world’s largest swimming pool.

The pool is equivalent to 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools and contains 66 million gallons of crystal-clear water.

It was opened in 2006 and the pool’s construction work took five years at a cost of nearly $1 billion. With an annual maintenance cost of around $2 million, it’s no wonder this pool made it to the Guinness World Records.

11. The Chilean Government Looks for UFOs

This is one of the most interesting things you can learn about this country in South America. Chile is one of the only governments on Earth with an official department for investigating UFOs. 

The Section of Studies of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena (SEFAA) is part of the Air Force. This official department monitors and researches unusual aircraft activity, including UFOs.

12. The Chilean Coastline Is One of the Longest in the World

Chile’s coastline stretches over 4,039 miles (6,500 kilometers) along the vast Pacific Ocean. It ranks as the fifth-longest coastline in the world.

Traveling along the coast, you’ll see rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, dramatic fjords, and picturesque islands, offering breathtaking views at every turn.

Interestingly, more than 90% of the population resides within 62 miles (100 kilometers) of the ocean.

13. Chilean Cowboys Are Called Huasos

Just like Argentina has Gauchos and the USA has cowboys, Chile has its own unique group of skilled horsemen known as Huasos. These countrymen embody the cowboy spirit, balancing their roles as farmers, cattle herders, and expert horse riders.

Huasos don a straw hat called a “chupalla” and wrap themselves in a poncho called a “manta.” Their presence is so deeply woven into Chilean culture that no parade, fiesta, or holiday would be complete without their participation.

14. The Country’s National Sport Is the Chilean Rodeo

The national sport of Chile is rodeo, a traditional equestrian event that holds a significant place in the country’s culture. Chilean rodeo is deeply rooted in the rural areas of the country, where it is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

It reflects the country’s rich ranching and agricultural heritage. The riders wear traditional attire, including straw hats, ponchos, and rawhide leather boots, adding to the cultural charm of the event.

Unlike the high-speed, adrenaline-fueled rodeos commonly seen in other parts of the world, Chilean rodeo is a more rhythmic and skillful affair.

This captivating sport is known for its elegance, as the Huasos demonstrate their mastery of horsemanship, coordination, and communication with their horses.

15. Chile Is One of the World’s Top Wine-Producing Countries

Chile has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the top wine-producing countries in the world. In fact, Chile is the ninth largest producer of wine in the world.

Chile’s unique combination of favorable climate, diverse terrains, and skilled winemakers has made It a prominent player in the global wine industry.

16. Two Chileans have won the Nobel Prize in Literature

Chile is affectionately called the “Pais de Los Poetas” or the “Country of Poets.” This title holds true thanks to the remarkable achievements of two iconic Chilean literary figures who captured the hearts of readers worldwide.

In 1945, Gabriela Mistral captivated audiences with her lyrical poetry and became the first South American Nobel Laureate in Literature.

Then, in 1971, Pablo Neruda, hailed as Chile’s national poet, claimed his rightful place among literary greats by becoming another literature laureate.

17. You Can See Penguins in Chile

Despite Chile’s reputation for dry and barren landscapes, the Chilean coast is home to not just one but five penguin species.

From the iconic Magellanic penguins to the unique Humboldt, Rockhopper, Macaroni, and King penguins, these charming creatures can mainly be found along Chile’s southern tip.

However, Humboldt penguins also live on the north coast of Chile, and their total population is about 12,000 pairs.

18. Chile has More Than 2,000 Volcanoes!

Chile sits along the infamous Pacific Ring of Fire and has the most volcanoes on the planet after Indonesia.

This extraordinary concentration of volcanic wonders can be attributed to Chile’s position within this dynamic geological zone that has sculpted Chile’s landscape with peaks and craters.

While the exact number of volcanoes in Chile is unknown, estimates suggest that there are around 2,000 volcanoes spread across the nation.

There are 500 potentially active volcanoes in Chile, according to scientific research. This creates highly volatile conditions for the area.

19. Chile has Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Chile proudly boasts five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each offering a captivating glimpse into the country’s rich history and cultural tapestry.

These sites include:

• Churches of Chiloé
• Historic Quarter of Valparaíso
• Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works
• Rapa Nui National Park on Easter Island
• Sewell Mining Town

Each of these sites has a unique history and is worth a visit.

20. Easter Island Is Part of Chile

One of the most fascinating parts of Chile isn’t even on the mainland. It is on the mysterious Easter Island.

This remote Pacific Island, also known as “Rapa Nui” or “Isla de Pascua” in Spanish, has intrigued people worldwide for centuries.

It’s also one of the most remote islands in the world, sitting 3,700 kilometers off the coast.

Easter Island has 900 stone statues known as moai. Carved by the ancient Rapa Nui people, these monolithic figures stand as tall as 20 feet (6 meters).

Rapa Nui people have created the statues for centuries, carving them out of volcanic rock and transporting them to their final destination via pulleys and ramps.

So, there you have it – 20 interesting facts about Chile. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply curious about the world around you, there’s something for everyone in Chile.

Hopefully, these fun facts have inspired you to pack your travel gear and explore this beautiful South American country.