Chile


 * Chile **

** Population: ** 17.094.270 as of June 2010 ** Capital: ** Santiago ** Main Religion: ** Roman Catholic ** Ethnic Groups: ** W hite and Mestizo 95% Amerindian 3% Other 2% ** Official Language: ** Spanish ** Type of Government: ** Unitary Presidential Republic ** Currency: ** Peso ** GDP: ** $243.569 billion ** President: ** Sebastian Pinera



** Where to stay: ** Hostal Forestal, $12 a night, in Santiago, Chile.



** What to eat ** : The completo (left), a Chilean fast food meal, is similar to a hot dog with mustard, avocado, tomatoes and mayonnaise; often served with a ponche (Chilean punch). Alfajores (right) are round, flat cookie-like pastries with caramel and powdered sugar.

** What to do: ** 1. Take a biking tour with Paseos en Bicicleta around Santiago. 2. Visit the Cerro Santa Lucia, a 230 foot hill with a great view of the city of Santiago. 3. Tour the La Moneda, the government building for Chile. 4. Relax by the beach at the Damas Islands. 5. Go shopping in the small Chilean town in the Elqui Valley. 6. Visit the summer home of the president, Palacio Presidencial, in Vina del Mar. 7. Tour the Rapa Nui National Park in Easter Island.