Chile Geography and Climate

THE ANDES
Stretching along the entire eastern border, the Andes are an omnipresent feature of the Chilean landscape. Highest in the far north, they contain peaks reaching well over 6000m (20,000 ft.). Ojos del Salado (6893m) is the highest peak in the country and the highest active volcano in the world. Aconcagua (6959m), the highest peak in the world outside the Himalayas, lies just across the border in Argentina. Toward the south, the mountains gradually decrease in elevation, while mountain passes occur more frequently and are easier to negotiate.

The creation of the Andes due to the collision of two tectonic plates also makes this region a hotbed of seismic activity. Some 2000 volcanoes are scattered throughout the range, about 50 of which are still active. Earthquakes have also had a major impact on the country—in 1960, one of the biggest quakes in Chile’s history (8.75 on the Richter Scale) decimated cities throughout Chiloé and the Central Valley and sunk some parts of the coast nearly two meters into the ocean.

NORTE GRANDE AND NORTE CHICO
The far north of Chile is arid and rugged, dominated by the Atacama Desert, one of the driest deserts in the world. To the west, cold air brought up by the Humboldt Current meets the steep cliffs of the Cordillera Domeyko that line the coast and forms banks of fog that roll down into the desert valley. This cold air current significantly moderates the climate in the region, with the average temperature ranging between 14°C (58°F) and 21°C (70°F). Despite the relative coolness, the Atacama region still receives little rain, and, in some parts of the desert, there has never been any recorded precipitation.

Despite the desert conditions, Norte Grande boasts some of Chile’s most fantastic landscapes. Sublime sunsets highlight an incredible range of earthy colors derived from the rich mineral deposits that cover the area. These mineral deposits, especially the vast salt plains, also make Norte Grande one of Chile’s most valuable regions. The copper exports that have formed the foundation of the Chilean economy for decades all come from this region.

THE CENTRAL VALLEY AND LOS LAGOS
Just north of the capital city, the scrublands of Norte Chico break into the beginnings of the Central Valley. This region, stretching from Santiago south to the island of Chiloé, is the most populated and most fertile part of Chile, home to Chile’s lucrative wine industry. The vast tracts of grapes that make their white wine famous grow well in the seasonal rain and mild, almost Mediterranean climate. The region is also home to some of Chile’s largest cities, including Santiago, Valparaíso, and Concepción.

As you head south from the Central Valley, the climate becomes progressively rainier. The city of Valdivia in the heart of Los Lagos, for example, receives over 253cm (115 in.) of rain a year. Dozens of beautiful lakes dot this damp region, and the ever-present background of mountains makes this one of the most picturesque parts of Chile. Industry has also capitalized on its grassy pastures and vast forests, making it Chile’s center for lumber production and cattle ranching.

AISÉN, THE FAR SOUTH, AND TIERRA DEL FUEGO
Beyond the port city of Puerto Montt, the Central Valley drops below sea level, creating a perplexing maze of islands, inlets, and fjords. The sheer cliffs of the Andes move closer and closer to the water’s edge until they too disappear into the ocean. The landscape is dominated by alpine forests and grasslands that break into tundral plains in the far south. The frigid Humboldt Current flowing north from Antarctica brings with it cold temperatures and bitter winds; in many places enormous glaciers cover the mountains and plains below. The rugged nature of this part of the country has made it difficult to develop. Nevertheless, the region is important in Chile’s overall economy, as lumber and livestock are in abundant supply, and petroleum is also an important product in the area surrounding the Strait of Magellan. The strait is an important connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans that allows both passengers and cargo ships to avoid the dangerous trip around Cape Horn.