Though seemingly lifeless, the fantastic lunar landscapes of the Atacama Desert are actually teeming with life and stories. If you visit the Atacama, you might find yourself thinking that it looks a lot like Mars. Well, you’d be right. Not only has the Atacama stood in for Mars on movie sets, it has also been […]
Cultural Tidbit: Valparaiso Today
Just because Valparaiso is a UNESCO World Heritage Site doesn’t mean that it’s stuck in the past. Far from it–Valparaiso has a working harbor, amazing contemporary street art, and a thriving nightlife scene. Sailors and local university students mingle at the bars and nightclubs found in and around the Plaza Sotomayor. Jazz, ethnic music, and […]
Cultural Tidbit: Historic Valparaiso
Known as the cultural capital of Chile, Valparaiso is a charming warren of steep cobblestone streets and colorful buildings. Valparaiso’s historic claims to fame include Latin America’s oldest stock exchange and first volunteer fire department, Chile’s first public library, and the oldest continuously published Spanish language newspaper in the world. Valparaiso has also been recognized […]
Vista de Viernes: View from Neruda’s House
View of Valparaiso from Pablo Neruda’s house.
Vista de Viernes: View from Neruda's House
View of Valparaiso from Pablo Neruda’s house.
Cultural Tidbit: The Mapuche People, Part 2
Quite a large number of Mapuche moved into cities in recent years. In an attempt to assimilate into modern Chilean society, many Mapuche even changed their last names. A high number of Mapuche moved to Santiago hoping to find work, but found it was difficult for them to find jobs and be accepted into mainstream […]
Cultural Tidbit: The Mapuche People, Part 1
Before you study Spanish in Chile or Argentina, it is a good idea to learn a bit about the Mapuche. These indigenous people live in Chile and Argentina. In 2002, the total population was estimated to be 604,349 in Chile and 300,000 in Argentina. This is one of the largest indigenous groups in all of […]
History of Chile, Part 4B
You will definitely notice that the climate is much calmer as you learn Spanish in Chile. Things began to shift in a more stable direction in 1989 when Chile elected a new president, namely, Patricio Aylwin who served until 1994. Another democratic leader Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle followed. Most recently, in 2006, Chile elected Michelle Bachelet […]
History of Chile, Part 4A
When students learn Spanish in Chile, they typically get some exposure to the current politics of the region during their stay. As a result, it makes sense to have some knowledge of recent history so that you can participate in some of these discussions in a knowledgeable manner. After all, if you show up to […]
History of Chile Part 3B
The first president under the Portalian State was Joaquin Prieto who served from 1831-1841. During this time, Chile modernized in many ways. Ports and railroads were built and these changes boosted the economy. One of the next big changes was the Parliamentary Republic in Chile, which lasted from 1891-1925. Under this rule, the legislature […]
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