Chile is a country that is of ever increasing interest as a tourist destination. The last 2 decades have seen year on year increases in the numbers of foreigners arriving in this beautiful and dynamic country. The same period has also seen strong economic growth and continually improving infrastructure. This relentless march towards modernity, like all economic progress, has its winners and losers.

Some of the worst casualties have been environmental: rivers like the Bio Bio, one of the world’s great white-water havens, has fallen victim to one of several dam building projects; up on the Altiplano, large mines have damaged ecosystems by draining lakes and polluting with their effluent; in Santiago, the air pollution gets so bad during winter that on occasion schools have to be closed...to mention but a few examples of environmental damage.

Santiago has also suffered from a nostalgic point of view. The city has lost much of its quirky charm, the autochthonous businesses being usurped by the global giants and chains that are now entrenched in every street and mall. The same usual suspects that have homogenised so many other cities in the developed and developing world, making them ever more similar and familiar.

However, the new Chile is a more dynamic, vibrant, optimistic and confident place. Despite the growing pains of development, the lot of everyday Chileans has improved greatly: fewer people live in poverty; families have more disposable income and greater purchasing power; access to good health care and education has improved; and the strength of the Chilean peso has allowed many more Chileans to travel abroad.

The negative environmental issues are also outweighed by the good. Chile is blessed with vast areas of pristine wilderness of staggering beauty. From Patagonia to the Atacama Desert there are awe inspiring landscapes that have to been seen to be believed. Few places in the world have scenery of such obvious beauty. Furthermore, so much of the country’s environmental wealth is protected within a system of well managed national parks.

Chile’s great outdoors is not only good to look at, when it comes to things to do, it also has an embarrassment of riches: walking and hiking in Patagonia; salmon and trout fishing; horse riding in the Andes; world class skiing and boarding; archaeological treasures in the Atacama; rafting and kayaking; wine tasting; paragliding from giant sand dunes; climbing live volcanoes; cruises turquoise lakes with icebergs; exploring penguin colonies, geyser fields, desert ghost towns, flamingo colonies in the desert, forests of 4000 year old trees; visiting the 7000 year old Chinchorro mummies; relaxing in natural hot springs; and so much more.

It is this combination of breathtaking panoramas, wildlife, adventure activities, modern infrastructure and a sophisticated tourist industry, that make Chile the ultimate destination for the thinking traveller.

Andrew Chaundler
http://www.optimundo.com/