Chile fills a narrow 1,800 mile strip between the Andes and the Pacific on South America's west coast. Yet, despite its size, it's not a country that does things by halves: one third of Chile is dominated by the towering Andes mountains; the Atacama Desert in the north is the driest place on earth; the southernmost point of South America sits at its furthest tip, and its Central Valley stretches for some 700 miles, providing the perfect environment for what have now become world-class vineyards. It also boasts some of South America's best beach resorts, and has a lively history that's seen it pass through Inca hands, colonial independence and various dictatorships. You would in fact be forgiven for thinking this is a wonderful amalgamation of several countries in one.
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