Geografic Location
Santiago is located at 543 meters (approx.) above sea level, in Chile´s central zone, 2.051 kms south of Arica, the country´s northernmost city and 3.141 kms north of Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in the World.

The surface of Chile is 796.096 km2, together with the Antarctic territory the figure amounts to 2.006.096 km2. The population of Chile according to the data delivered by the Census 2002: Santiago 6.061.185 and the country 15.116.435 inhabitants.

















Transport
The public transport offers three basic alternatives: buses that cross the city according to pre-established routes; taxicabs (are painted black with yellow roofs) work with taximeter that fix the fee and the Underground, under full expansion, that has 5 operating lines that cross different sectors of the capital.
 
There are also private transports that render tourism services which can be requested at your hotel.









Malls
The large shopping centers or Malls area located in the different areas of Santiago and open in general from Mondays to Sundays, from 10:00 to 21:00 hrs. and on Saturdays from 09:00 to 14:00 hrs.

Las otras tiendas de comercio atienden, normalmente,  de Lunes a Viernes de 09:00 a 20:00 horas y los Sábado de 09:00 a 14:00 horas.

Places recomended
In Santiago there are beautiful churches - such as the Temple of San Francisco, a monument from the times of colony – large parks such as the Forestal Park (Parque Forestal) that goes round Mapocho river and gives way to the Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes) and various other museums such as the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and the National Museum of Natural History. The neighbourhood Paris-London, an architectural sample that is worthwhile the visit located near the environs of San Francisco Church, outlines for its narrow streets, illuminated by lanterns and building of great beauty. Also it is worthwhile the visit to Cerro San Cristóbal, a hill located in the north-east edge from downtown of Santiago, where it was built at the peak a monumental statue of the Virgin Mary. Practically all the city can be seen from there.

The National Service of Tourism offers more information to be requested in www.sernatur.cl.

Time: Chile changes the hour 2 times a year. On the second Saturday of March is put the clock back one hour and on the second Saturday of October is put the clock forward one hour.

Current exchange rate and paper money circulation
To know the value for the observed exchange rate we recommend you to visit Central Bank of Chile (Banco Central de Chile) page in the following URL: http://www.bcentral.cl/

The currency in Chile is the peso and the current paper money used in Chile is made of the following $ 20.000, $ 10.000, $ 5.000 $ 2000 y $ 1000 Chilean pesos. There are also coins of $ 500, $ 100, $50, $10, $5 y $1. The last ones are not currently used.

Which are the tips?
It is accustomed to give the waiter the 10% of the total bill in a restaurant, pub or cafe. It is neither accustomed nor recommended to give tip in taxis. It is only recommended to use the radio taxi service.

Which are the working hours of Banks and Currency Exchange Offices?
Most of the public attention at the banks is from Mondays to Fridays from 09:00 to 14:00 hrs. The currency exchange offices are opened from Mondays to Fridays from 09:00 to 19:00 hrs. and Saturdays from 09:00 to 15:00 hrs. and they are opened on Sundays only in Malls. There are a large amount of automatic cashier machines available in different parts of the cities such as Banks, Malls and Service Stations. Many of these have a direct access during 24 hours a day and everyday of the week.

Is there any recommendation on the services of water and electricity?
There is a coverage for drinking water and sewage services in almost the totally of the city, as well as a percentage of the sewage treatment that exceeds the 75% in Santiago. Consequently, though the water is drinkable and can be drunk it is recommended initially to drink mineral water to avoid discomforts due to the salt levels common in local water and to which you might not be familiar with. The electrical system of the city operates with 220 volts and 50 Hz.

How is the climate in Santiago?
The climate is Mediterranean and the climate conditions change strongly from season to season. While during the summer the maximum temperature can reach up 30º C easily and it rains seldom, in winter intense rains occur and minimum temperatures below zero. The annual mean temperature is about 14ºC and the mean rainfall is approx. 380 mm. per year. The extreme temperatures are usually registered in the airport area so it is convenient to be warm enough at the arrival or departure from Santiago.

Telephone calls and Internet
Telephone code for Chile is 56 and for Santiago is 2. Dial 08 or 09 to have access to cell phone from a fixed telephone and from cell phones dial 8 or 9. The international phone calls are in general of a very good quality, even from public telephones and from call centres. Cash can be used, pre-paid cards and credit cards in some telephones.

There is a wide coverage to have access to broadband Internet in hotels, cyber café, restaurants and malls.

Another useful dates
Santiago is one of the safest cities. However, as in every metropolis is convenient to take some basic precautions: do not show jewels, nor watch out your handbag, camera or video. Avoid walking by night in parks or hills. Use a safety deposit box of your hotel.

Since Chile is a seismic country, ground movements are very common in all the cities of our country. Do not be worried about damages before an earthquake as there are high standards of anti-seismic construction. Anyway, in view of a telluric movement, protect yourself under a roof if you are walking along the street to avoid the falling of objects from the upper floors of the buildings.

The Police in Chile is a reliable institution, do not hesitate to approach to one of them in case of any doubt or problem. Under no circumstances try to bribe the Police of Chile, it is an institution with high moral values.

By law, the buildings constructed from the year 2005 have the facilities to disabled people (elevators or trailers) and most of the sidewalks of the cities are adapted to their comfort. In some areas, traffic lights have an audible systems for the blind. 

The Malls have parking lots, bathrooms and telephones suitable for their needs.

To rent a car a driver´s license of the country of origin is needed, otherwise the international license, passport and credit card. The maximum driving speed for urban areas is about 60km/hr. and for the concession highways is about 120 km/hr. unless road signs in the highways clearly visible indicate some restriction. There are several highways in Santiago that required to be known previously in order to find the entry and way out areas, avoiding an eventual misplacement.

If you rent  a car and have an accident or robbery, inform as soon as possible to the nearest police station. The report is necessary to the car rental company.