Introducing Middle Chile

Many visitors tend to skip Chile's heartland on their way to more famous attractions further south. This is a shame as it has much to offer, including some fantastic wine country, genuine huaso (cowboys) culture with its skilful horsemen and traditional ways, excellent skiing and one of the world's most unique coastal cities, Valparaíso. And, although few come to Chile just for the beaches, there is some lovely coastline. Pablo Neruda was inspired by the crashing waves of the Chilean Pacific; now a growing number of adrenaline-junkies are coming to ride that same surf.

Economically, the area is hugely significant. The fertile central valley is Chile's chief farm- ing region, ideal for orchards, vineyards and growing cereal. At its widest it extends just 70km between the Andean foothills and the coastal range. Copper mines dot the sierras while, just north of Río Biobío, Concepción (a lively university town as well as a key manufacturing center) and its port, Talcahuano (home to a naval base), play an important role in the national economy.

Middle Chile (including Santiago) also contains close to 75% of the country's population. Many of the towns are nondescript, but act as launchpads to the magnificent Andes or some of the spectacular and under-explored national wildlife reserves, including Río de los Cipreses, Siete Tazas and Altos de Lircay to name but a few.