Nature & Geography
A Land of Extremes
Chile's geography is unique in the world: 4,300 km long, but on average only 180 km wide. The country stretches from 17° to 56° southern latitude — equivalent in Europe to a distance from the Sahara to northern Norway. This extreme expanse creates a diversity of ecosystems that exist in no other country on Earth in such close proximity.
The Andes — Chile's Backbone
The Andean Cordillera forms Chile's eastern border and backbone: Over 6,000-meter-high volcanoes in the north (the Ojos del Salado, 6,893 m, is the highest active volcano on Earth), glaciated peaks in the middle, and rugged fjord landscapes in the south. The Andes are the reason for Chile's climatic diversity — they block moist air from the east and create everything from desert to rainforest.
Chile has over 2,000 volcanoes, about 500 of which are considered potentially active. The most famous active volcanoes: Villarrica (constantly smoking, climbable), Llaima (one of the most active in South America), Calbuco (spectacular eruption in 2015), and Chaitén (almost destroyed a town in 2008).
The Atacama — Driest Place on Earth
In the heart of the Atacama Desert, there are places where it has never rained — not in living memory, not since measurements began, possibly not for millions of years. The extreme dryness is caused by a unique combination: The cold Humboldt Current off the coast cools the air and prevents evaporation, the Andes block moist air from the Amazon basin, and the Subtropical High Pressure Belt pushes dry air downward. The result: a Mars on Earth.
Valdivian Rainforest — The Ancient Forests of the South
An often overlooked natural wonder of Chile: The Valdivian rainforest in the south (between the 38th and 48th latitude) is among the temperate rainforests of the world — an ecosystem rarer than tropical rainforest. Giant Alerce trees (Patagonian cypresses, up to 60 m high and 3,600 years old!), Coigüe trees, Nalca giant rhubarb, and a dense undergrowth of lichens and mosses form a mystical, primeval forest.
The Valdivian rainforest is home to unique animal species: the Pudú (the smallest deer in the world, only 40 cm tall!), the Monito del Monte (a living fossil — the only marsupial in South America outside Australia!), and the Darwin's frog (which broods its tadpoles in its mouth).
Patagonian Steppe — The Vastness at the End of the World
Between the Andes and the Atlantic stretches the Patagonian steppe: An endless, treeless grassland swept by the notorious Patagonian wind. The vegetation consists of tough grasses (Coirón), Calafate bushes, and Notro shrubs. The steppe may seem monotonous at first glance, but it is home to guanacos, rheas, armadillos, foxes, and — in Torres del Paine — the highest puma density in the world.
The Southern Ice Field — Third Largest Ice Mass on Earth
The Campo de Hielo Sur (Southern Patagonian Ice Field) covers 13,000 km² and is the third largest contiguous ice field on Earth after Antarctica and Greenland. It feeds 49 large glaciers that calve into lakes and fjords. The ice field is shrinking alarmingly fast due to climate change — scientists estimate that some of the glaciers could disappear within the next few decades.
Marine Ecosystems — 4,300 km of Coastline
Chile's coast is dominated by the Humboldt Current — a cold ocean current that brings nutrient-rich deep water to the surface and creates one of the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. The result: vast fish stocks, kelp forests, sea lion colonies, blue whale migration routes, and penguin colonies.
- Blue Whales: The largest animals ever to have lived on Earth migrate through Chilean waters — especially in the Gulf of Corcovado (between Chiloé and the mainland)
- Humboldt Penguins: Thousands of penguins live alongside dolphins and sea lions in the Reserva Nacional Pingüino de Humboldt (near La Serena)
- Sea Otters (Chungungo): Chile's sea otters live along the coast and in the southern channels — they are smaller and rarer than their North American relatives
Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
Easter Island lies 3,700 km off the Chilean coast in the middle of the Pacific and is the most remote inhabited island in the world. The enigmatic Moai statues (almost 900 gigantic stone heads, up to 10 meters high and 82 tons heavy) were created by the Rapa Nui between 1250 and 1500. The quarries at the Rano Raraku volcano show unfinished Moai in all stages of production — a fascinating window into the past.
The history of Easter Island is also an ecological warning: The Rapa Nui deforested their entire island (presumably for transporting the Moai), leading to the collapse of their civilization. When Europeans arrived in 1722, they found an impoverished population on a barren island. Since 1995, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Getting there: Flight from Santiago (5.5h, LATAM, from 200€ return). Stay max. 30 days, return ticket and hotel reservation required upon entry.
Chile's National Parks — An Overview
Chile has 42 national parks, protecting over 14 million hectares — an impressive commitment to conservation. The parks are managed by CONAF (Corporación Nacional Forestal). Entrance fees for foreigners range from 3,000 to 26,000 CLP depending on the park and season.
| National Park | Region | Highlight | Entrance Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torres del Paine | Patagonia | W-Trek, granite needles, glaciers | 26,000 CLP (high season) |
| Lauca | North | Altiplano, volcanoes, vicuñas, Lago Chungará | 3,000 CLP |
| Conguillío | Araucanía | Araucaria forests, Llaima volcano, lava fields | 5,000 CLP |
| Huerquehue | Lakes District | Araucarias, mountain lakes, day hikes | 5,000 CLP |
| Vicente Pérez Rosales | Lakes District | Saltos del Petrohué, Lago Todos los Santos | 5,000 CLP |
| Chiloé | Chiloé | Valdivian rainforest, Pacific beach | 3,000 CLP |
| Queulat | Carretera Austral | Ventisquero Colgante (hanging glacier) | 5,000 CLP |
| Pumalín Douglas Tompkins | Carretera Austral | Primeval forests, hot springs, volcanoes | Free |
| Pan de Azúcar | Atacama (coast) | Desert meets sea, Humboldt penguins | 5,000 CLP |
| Rapa Nui | Easter Island | Moai statues, volcanic craters | 54,000 CLP (60 USD) |
The Ruta de los Parques (Route of the Parks) connects 17 national parks over 2,800 km — from Puerto Montt to Cape Horn. It is the longest national park route in the world and was made possible by the Tompkins Foundation.