Chile is often described as the southernmost country in the world, stretching into the far reaches of South America with a long, narrow strip of land that somewhat resembles a chilli pepper. Sorry, I had to. The country is bordered by Peru to the north, Bolivia to the north-east, Argentina and the Andes Mountains to the east, the Drake Passage to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Apart from the mainland, Chile also holds sovereignty over several remote territories, including Easter Island, and maintains territorial claims in Antarctica.

Chile’s vast landmass features a central depression flanked by the Coastal Mountain Range to the west and the Andes to the east, while Patagonia encompasses much of its southern region. In addition, the country lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, resulting in frequent volcanic and seismic activity. With Chile stretching over 4,300 kilometres from north to south, it’s only to be expected that it contains several distinct geographical regions, each with its own landscapes and climates:

• • • Norte Grande: An extremely arid region home to the Atacama Desert, extensive salt flats, and sparse grasslands.

    • Norte Chico: This transitional zone is where the Coastal Mountain Range meets the Andes, with the fertile Chilean Central Valley lying between them. The region is rich in mineral resources and has historically been associated with mining.

    • Zona Central: Here, the mountains gradually lose height and begin to separate from one another. Located between the semi-arid Norte Chico and the temperate Zona Sur, this region experiences a Mediterranean climate and is the country’s most densely populated area.

    • Zona Sur: In this region, the mountains are lower and numerous glacial lakes and forests dominate the landscape. Volcanic and seismic activity remains high.

    • Zona Austral: This is where Chilean Patagonia is found, characterised by fjords, ice fields and rugged terrain, with a subpolar oceanic climate in the west and a cold steppe climate in the east.

Chile’s climate is as varied as its geography, shifting dramatically from one end of the country to the other. In the far north, the Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on Earth, with some areas going years without measurable rainfall. Moving south into the Zona Central, the climate becomes Mediterranean, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters, which is exactly why this region is so good for wine and agriculture. Further south, rainfall increases significantly, temperatures cool, and a temperate oceanic climate dominates, bringing lush forests, lakes and frequent storms. In the extreme south of Patagonia, the climate turns cold, windy and unpredictable, with subpolar conditions, glaciers and rapidly changing weather being the norm. This extraordinary climatic range is largely due to Chile’s extreme length, the Andes acting as a climatic barrier, and the cooling influence of the Humboldt Current along the Pacific coast.

Unsurprisingly, Chile boasts remarkable biodiversity, with a large proportion of species being endemic, having adapted to the country’s diverse climates and landscapes. Roughly one fifth of Chile’s territory is protected through national parks and reserves in an effort to preserve its flora and fauna.

Chile governs Rapa Nui (Easter Island), home to the famous moai statues. Some of these massive stone figures weigh up to 82 tons and their construction and transport methods remain partly mysterious.