About
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, extending along a narrow strip of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. According to the 2024 census, Chile had an enumerated population of 18.5 million. The country covers a territorial area of 756,102 square kilometers (291,933 sq mi), sharing borders with Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage to the south. It also administers several Pacific islands, including Juan Fernández, Isla Salas y Gómez, Desventuradas, and Easter Island, and claims about 1,250,000 square kilometers (480,000 sq mi) of Antarctica as the Chilean Antarctic Territory. The capital and largest city is Santiago, and the official and national language is Spanish.
When things are closed
Upcoming public holidays in Chile. On these dates, expect banks, post offices, and government services to close. Many shops and museums close or run shortened hours; transit typically still runs.
Asunción de la Virgen · Assumption of Mary
August 15, 2026
Saturday
Fiestas Patrias · National holiday
September 18, 2026
Friday
Día de las Glorias del Ejército · Army Day
September 19, 2026
Saturday
Día del Descubrimiento de Dos Mundos · Columbus Day
October 12, 2026
Monday
Día Nacional de las Iglesias Evangélicas y Protestantes · Reformation Day
October 31, 2026
Saturday
Día de Todos los Santos · All Saints Day
November 1, 2026
Cities (15)
Saved on my Chile lists
16 places · 2 visited
- ↔Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL)
- ◎Barrio Lastarria
- △Cajón del Maipo
- ◎Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago
- ◎Centro Gabriela Mistral (GAM)
- △Cerro San Cristóbal
- ◎Concha y Toro Winery
- ◎La Chascona
- □Mercado Central (Santiago)
- ◎Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos
- ◎Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
- ↔Oasis Station, Santiago Cable Car
- △Parque Bicentenario
- △Parque de la Familia
- ◎Plaza de Armas (Santiago)
- ◎Santa Rita Winery
References4
These references support the changing or licensed material on this page. Personal notes and ordinary geographic facts are not footnoted individually. Entry rules can change, so verify them before booking.
- Travel practicalities. Entry, driving, electricity, water, and official application context. Related: Driving side, World Standards, CDC Yellow Book, WHO drinking-water guidance.
- Country background. Wikipedia summary may be clipped or paraphrased. Numeric baselines are cross-checked with Wikidata. Related: Wikidata, .
