Capital of the Republic of Chile, Santiago is the cultural, administrative and financial center, and the most important metropolis in the country.
 
Also known by the name of Greater Santiago, it is located in the Maipo Valley, surrounded by the Coast Mountain Range to the West and by the Chacabuco and Angostura Ranges to the North and South, respectively. The Andes Mountain Range closes the frame of the city in the East.
 
This site is chosen to organize the great Latin American congresses. Santiago has an important transportation system that connects various points across the city. The metro is one of the most modern underground means of transportation in the world.
 
The city of Santiago de Chile has an intense cultural life. There are about 40 art galleries and 30 museums of several styles to be visited. As regards tourism, the city center is the gathering point for visitors. Palacio de la Moneda (Government House), Plaza de Armas (city main square), the Cathedral, the Pre-Columbian Art Museum and Casa Colorada are the most popular sites. Bella Vista Bohemian Neighborhood stands out for its distinguished restaurants, art galleries, pubs and residences dwelled by well-known writers. Other neighborhoods which show off their modern buildings and quiet atmosphere are Las Condes, El Golf and Providencia. Visiting San Cristóbal hill implies catching a beautiful panoramic sight of the city and touring around the Zoo.
 
If you love Chilean wine you may visit the most important wineries in the country, located in the valleys surrounding Santiago, a few kilometers away from the city. Its proximity to the Andes will let you enjoy winter sports. Valle Nevado, La Parva, Farellones, El Colorado and Lagunillas ski resorts stand very close to the city and have very good accesses to feel powder snow.