From 4 April to 6 June 2023 - 3'040 km
After a long trip from Papeete (French Polynesia) via Auckland (New Zealand) and crossing twice the International Date Line, I arrive exhausted in Santigo...
Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile (metro population of 7 million in 2023) and one of the largest cities in the Americas. Most of the city is situated between 500–650 m above sea level.
Founded in 1541 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia, Santiago has served as the capital city of Chile since colonial times. The city has a downtown core of 19th-century neoclassical architecture and winding side-streets featuring a mix of art deco, neo-gothic, and other styles. Santiago's cityscape is defined by several stand-alone hills and the fast-flowing Mapocho River, which is lined by parks such as Parque Forestal and Balmaceda Park. The Andes Mountains can be seen from most parts of the city and contribute to a smog problem, particularly during winter, due to the lack of rain.
Valparaíso is a major city, seaport, naval
base, and educational centre in Chile. "Greater Valparaíso" is the second
largest metropolitan area in the country.
Valparaíso played an important geopolitical
role in the second half of the 19th century when it served as a major stopover
for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by crossing the
Straits of Magellan. Valparaíso experienced rapid growth during its golden age,
as a magnet for European immigrants, when the city was known by international
sailors as "Little San Francisco".
The 20th century was unfavourable
to Valparaíso, as many wealthy families abandoned the city. The opening of the
Panama Canal in 1914 and the associated reduction in ship traffic dealt a
serious blow to Valparaíso's port-based economy.
Over the first 15 years of the 21st century, the city reached a recovery, attracting artists and cultural entrepreneurs who have set up in the city's hillside historic districts. The city is known for its bohemian culture, with festivals every year and street artists and musicians. In 2003, the historic quarter of Valparaíso was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Due to the number of hills, Valparaiso has had up to 30 historical elevators (Spanish: ascensores). They were mainly constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Technically most of these elevators are bona fide funiculars.
As of 2023 only 7 of elevators
are in operation, the other 9 are under a process of restoration and
modernisation.
Click => here if you want to help me get it out of the harbour, and later drive 1'700 kilometers to San Pedro de Atacama...
Click => here if you want to see excursions I made in the area around San Pedro de Atacama.
