Stretching for over 4,630 kms from north to south, the Republic of Chile is the longest country in the world, but being only 430 kms from east to west at its widest point, a total land mass of approximately 757,000 sq kms makes it only the 38th largest. While the Andes mountains separates much of Chile from Argentina to the east, Peru lies to the north, Bolivia to the north east and the Pacific Ocean accounts for the entire western border of the country. Off the southern coastal tip of Chile lies the Drake Passage - a body of water connecting the south-western Atlantic Ocean to the south-eastern Pacific Ocean and separating the mainland from the vast frozen expanse of Antarctica, of which Chile lays claim to some 1,250,000 sq kms of territory, along with Easter Island and Sala y Gomez Island, the two easternmost Polynesian islands, and Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernandez archipelago lying over 600 kms away in the Chilean territorial waters of the south Pacific.

Although much of Chile lies within the shadow of the mighty Andes mountain chain, the diversity of habitats and environments from the north of the country to the south is breathtaking without even considering the abundance of offshore territories, so despite the most popular area of tourism is in the central region of Chile, encompassing the capital city of Santiago, holiday apartments in Chile can be found anywhere from where volcanic, 'lunar' landscapes and mineral rich deserts dominate the north to the south where the colder, wetter climate ensures plenty of snow-capped mountains for skiing and scenic lakes for fishing. Home to the Rapa Nui National Park, the mysterious Moai Statues and a sub-tropical climate, Easter Island is yet another unique location that confirms how naturally, culturally and historically diverse Chile is, challenging Santiago in the stakes for overall popularity and proving that enormous contrasts can be experienced wherever you travel in the country.

When summer in Chile runs from December to March, you'll need to stick to more northerly and central regions if you're hoping for hot and sunny weather - June to October being the optimum months for skiing in the Andes, and virtually any time of the year promising chilly to sub-zero temperatures as you head further south to a part of the country where forests, fjords, lakes and islands will appeal to those more interested in exploring some of the country's most outstanding areas of natural beauty than relaxing on a sun-drenched beach! But in a land first inhabited around 10,000 years ago by native Americans and only in more recent centuries relinquishing control to Spanish conquistadors arriving from Peru in search of gold, the cultural heritage of Chile is as unique and fascinating as its natural history in every far-flung corner of this ancient kingdom, so if you want to learn more about a country discovered by the Incas, taken over by the Spanish and finally regaining its independence in 1818, where better to do so than right where it all happened.

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