Santiago, Chile's capital and oldest city, has definitely become the administrative, political, industrial, commercial and cultural center of the country. The city is conveniently located at the feet of the Andes, only 1 hour away from where skiers can enjoy some of the best skiing of the southern hemisphere, and only 90 miles from Chile's most important beach resort area, Viña del Mar. Santiago, with its approximately 550 square miles and roughly 40 percent of Chile's population , welcomes its visitors to a cosmopolitan city of interesting contrasts between its 18th and early 20th century neoclassical constructions and the modern architecture of buildings brought-on by an almost uninterrupted growth of the country since the mid eighties. Amongst the interesting places that you can visit in the city are the San Cristobal hill, which becomes a natural 360º look-out point over the entire city; the Santa Lucia hill, where Santiago was founded in 1541 by an expedition of Spanish conquistadores, led by Pedro de Valdivia; the area of El Bosque, Santiago's new commercial center and popular fine dining restaurant area; and the downtown Santiago, which expresses itself through its beautiful neoclassical constructions such as La Moneda, the National Library, the Cathedral, Santiago's Stock Exchange, the Club de la Union, the Supreme Court, the Ex Congress, and the Club Hipico. From Santiago, you will also have the opportunity to visit beautiful nearby natural reserves, and Chile's wineland, famous for its exquisite wines.
		© Intrans, 2010