Situated in Central Chile, Santiago is one of the few capital cities in the world which has easy access both to ski slopes -just 50 kms. away-, and beaches, 100 kms. away. Most of the economic, administrative, cultural, commercial, industrial and political activities of the country are concentrated here. It was founded by Pedro de Vadivia on February 14th in 1541 in the Río Mapocho Valley at the foothills of the Santa Lucia hill.

The incredible backdrop of the Andes sets the atmosphere of Chile's capital city. The sprawling metropolis is a strange collaboration of skyscrapers and 19th-century European architecture, with some Spanish adobe bungalows thrown in for good measure. Threaded through this architectural tapestry are numerous green areas, quaint old squares and busy markets. The climate of this area is mediterranean, warm, with regular temperature variations between summer and winter. Rain occurs mainly between March and September (autumn and winter), and very scarcely in summer. The annual average temperature is 14º Celsius. The average is 9º Celsius in winter and it is 22º Celsius in summer, although sometimes it may be higher than 30º during this season.

New and comfortable hotels Located both in the center and on the eastern side of the city, have significantly increased Santiago's capacity to accommodate visitors as well as providing special facilities for congresses and conventions. Together with the development of tourist infrastructure, gastronomy in Chile has also taken on a new lease of life, both as regards the quality and the quantity of restaurants.

As with most South American capital cities, Santiago is severely overcrowded and thanks to its position in a bowl of mountains, the city is one of the world's most polluted.