Description:

Santiago is the largest city in Chile, as well as the capital of the country. It was founded by conquistador named Pedro de Valdivia in the 16th century at the bottom of the hill of Santa Lucia, where is located a magnificent ancient castle, which is the main attraction of the city. On the central square Plaza de Armas in 1960 a monument to the founder of the city was erected. Around the square a historical architectural ensemble of Santiago spreads out. It includes the largest Cathedral in Chile, the City Council, the Governor%27s House, the Palace of La Moneda, which is now the seat of government and the building of the Royal Audience, where is now the Historical Museum. All legislative bodies of the country are located in Valparaiso, Santiago is rather known as a culture city. There is a big variety of museums - in the Museum of Precolombian Art you can see art and mode of life of Indian tribes, and the palace Palacio de Bellas Artes, which keeps a fine collection of Chilean and European paintings. There are five major universities in the city, two of which have their own professional soccer team. One of the symbols of the city is a white stone statue of the Virgin Mary, which looks at the city from the hill of San Cristobal, and, according to legend, protects him. And the mountain itself is one of the most popular holiday destinations for townspeople and tourists, there is everything you need for a relaxing holiday - swimming pools, restaurants, recreational areas, as well as a museum of wine, a botanical garden and a zoo.

Climate

Transport

There is an international airport Los Cerrillos in Santiago. Also the city has four subway lines and buses with a bright yellow-white coloring. A railway passes through Santiago, but it%27s not a very reliable form of transport - trains and railways often break down. But there is a well established system of intercity buses.