The history of Chile is similar to that of its fellow Latin American neighbors. The land was conquered by the Spanish in the 17th century and with this came a social and economic upheaval with many of its natural resources funneled out of the country.
Santiago de Chile is the Capital of Chile and as so, is the economic and cultural center for this country. One thing for certain, Chilean people are very passionate about soccer and rodeo is also a very popular pastime. Chilean customs and activities are deeply related to the geography. Here you will find that skiing and surfing are two of the most popular sports since the coast and mountains offer some of the best conditions anywhere for the practice of these sports. It shouldn't be any surprise that with this kind of diversity, Chilean people enjoy a cuisine rich in seafood, fruits, vegetables and excellent wine.