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Santiago de Chile, the country's capital, is located in the center of
Chile and because of its proximity to the Andes, snow-capped peaks
are visible from any spot. It is a modern, clean, and rather bustling
city but still offers a colonial atmosphere due to its architecture, streets
and small squares.
The "Valle Central", a fruitful valley between the Coastal Range and
Andes, has an extension of 500 kilometers / 310 miles from north to
south and it has many exciting places worth visiting. Close to Santiago
on the eastern mountain side, several world-class ski resorts are
available during the winter. On the seaside numerous attractive cities
and charming towns; Viņa del Mar with its precious gardens, the historical
port city of Valparaiso or the tiny town Isla Negra are good
examples.
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On the latter, Pablo Neruda - Nobel Prize winner and one
of the greatest South American poets - lived most of his life in his
house, now a museum.
The "La Campaņa National Park", a reserve for one of the last remaining
forests of the endangered Chilean Palm, is ideal for hiking and
offers beautiful and interesting trails.
The central region is also known
for its wine valleys. Chilean wine is recognized internationally for its
body and aroma, a perfect complement to the national cuisine. Some
of the most famous vineyards are located between Santiago and Talca
and are open to the public - some of the wineries offer lodging in
their beautiful colonial guesthouses and hotels.
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