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Yes, Chile is that long sliver of a country that extends from the tropics to the southern-most inhabited point on the globe. This  amazingly diverse country has arid desert in north; a mild fertile central valley; and a cool damp south that is made up of volcanoes and lakes. The Andes Mountains form its eastern border with Argentina. The fertile central region is where the vast majority of Chile’s inhabitants reside. The capital, Santiago, and the coastal cities, Valparaiso and Viña del Mar anchor this region. Nearby you’ll find ski resorts, vineyards, and of course, the Pacific Ocean. ELI partners with organizations in Viña del Mar, a popular seaside resort with a California-like climate. Viña del Mar (Spanish for "Vineyard of the Sea"), also known locally as La Ciudad Jardín (Spanish for "The Garden City"), is a thriving coastal city in central Chile, in the Valparaíso Region and Province. The population stands at 318,489 (April 24, 2004), making it Chile's fourth largest city. It is best known as a tourist and beach destination (with multiple beaches including Reñaca, Las Salinas, Miramar, Casino, and others). One of its key attractions includes a gambling casino and a yearly music festival (Festival de la canción de Viña del Mar). The city also hosts a yearly ATP tennis tournament (Movistar Open).  Location: Viña del Mar is located some 110 km north-west from Santiago (less than two hours' drive), and borders with the port of Valparaíso to the south, two hours from the Andes by bus. The city has benefited from major investments in infra-structure that have greatly improved the traffic flow in the downtown area, specially in routes connecting Viña del Mar with Santiago, Valparaíso and Quilpue. A modern and efficient subway (Merval) connects Viña del Mar with the cities of Limache and Valparaíso, following the original railroad tracks between Valparaíso and Santiago. Viña del Mar is a very safe and easy to reach city; from Viña you can travel to any place in Chile by taking a bus. The bus station is located two blocks from the downtown, and at this station there are also available buses to Argentina and the rest of the neighbor countries. Viña del Mar is rich in culture, entertainment and tourism, and along with Valparaíso, city located 10 minutes away by car or 5 by train, establishes the cultural heritage of the region. |
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