Trip Information Kit - Amazon S3

[Pages:8]Chile

Trip Information Kit

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Bienvenido a Chile

This information packet is designed to provide general information about Chile and answer basic questions as you prepare for your upcoming trip to South America.

Surrounded by four great natural barriers, Chile's borders thrive in superlatives: the largest Ocean, the world's driest Desert, the coldest Continent and the tallest Mountains in the Western hemisphere.

Located in the southwest tip of South America, Chile encompasses 291,930 square miles and is populated by 16.6 million inhabitants, over 6 million of which claim home to the capital city of Santiago. The dominant language is Spanish, and the dominant religion Christianity. Chile is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Peru to the north, Bolivia and Argentina to the east, and Antarctica to the south (although this is not recognized by some countries, such as the USA). About twice the size of California, Chile has vast and unique terrain features of desert in the north, a fertile central valley, volcanoes and lakes toward the south, and bordered by a complex coastline to the west and the rugged Andes Mountains to the east. The southern tip of the country represents the Patagonia region. The climate is generally arid in north, Mediterranean-type climate in the center of the country, and damp and cool in the south.

Full Name Population Capital Area Major Language Major Religion Life Expectancy

Monetary unit Main Exports

GDP Per Capita

Internet Domain

Republic of Chile

17.2 million (CIA, 2014)

Santiago

756,096 sq km (291,930 sq miles)

Spanish

Christianity

79 years (men), 82 years (women) (UN)

Chilean Peso (CLP)

Copper, fish, fruit, paper and pulp, chemicals

US$19.100 (CIA World Factbook 2013) .cl

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Noted for its stability and growth, Chile is one of the great economic success stories of Latin America. Among the most developed nations in Latin America, Chile is home to one of the region's most robust economies.

Economy

Chile joined the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2010, becoming only the second nation in Latin America (after Mexico) to join the group, a key benchmark in the push toward development. More recently, the organization's Secretary General said Chile stood in a good position to join the G-20 in the near future. Though Chile continues to face a poverty gap, economic and social policies are regularly implemented to combat poverty and ensure that the nation's increasing wealth is distributed fairly. Over the last two decades the poverty index has dropped precipitously from 38 percent in 1990 to 14.4 percent in 2014. One of Chile's most important policies in recent years has allowed for the rationing of funds generated particularly by the growing copper industry in order to bolster the economy in times of global financial distress. This policy and others allowed to Chile to emerge from the global financial downturn practically unscathed. Chile is also at the forefront of Latin America in terms of GDP per capita, with US$19,100 per person according to 2013 estimates.

Production Sectors

Driven by a broad diversity of products and industries, the Chilean economy stands on the sturdy pillars of mining and agriculture, but is also rapidly drawing creative and entrepreneurial forces from around the world, developing its tech, film, and biochemical industries as well. Copper production is the backbone of the Chilean economy, providing one third of government revenue, according to the CIA World Factbook. Chile produces a third of the world's raw copper, all the while diversifying its mineral exports by adding large volumes of molybdenum, gold, lithium, iodine and derivatives of nitrates. In 2013, copper exports surpassed US$40 billion, about 15 percent of total GDP. Wine is probably the most famous of Chile's exports among the general population. Chile is already the seventh largest wine producer and fourth largest exporter in the world, as of early 2014 taking over Australia as the largest in the New World. As of now, Chile exports US$1.8 billion worth of wine annually, just under 3 percent of the value of total national exports. Chile's aquaculture industry, which focuses on commercial salmon and trout production, has become the second largest in the world after Norway's, reaching exports of US$2.1 billion in 2012, and consistently growing ever since.

*Source: This Is Chile.

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According to a survey on quality of life done by the Intelligence Unit of The Economist in 2014 Santiago placed second in Latin America and 64 among 140 cities in the world.

Government Chile has a presidential government, similar to the United States with a bi-chamber legislature with a Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Michelle Bachelet, of the Nueva Mayoria, took office in March of 2014 for her second four-year term.

History Brief Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while Mapuche Indians inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions, and is to this day is a hotly discussed topic. It was not until the 1880s that the Mapuche were completely subjugated. Salvador Allende's elected Marxist government was overthrown in a 1973 US-backed military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet. Pinochet subsequently ruled Chile as a dictatorial military regime until the democratic political election system was restored in 1990.The country, which had been relatively free of the coups and arbitrary governments that blighted the South American continent, endured a 17 year military dictatorship (1973-1990) that left more than 3,000 people dead and missing. Democracy was restored in 1990, a decade which saw an incredible amount of economic growth in the country. Nowadays Chile has one of Latin America's strongest economies and high world prices for its copper have swollen state coffers; however, detractors of the neo-liberal system maintain that little has been done to address the question of income distribution, one of the most unequal in the world and one of Chile's most problematic issues.

Facts About Chile

Chile's friendly business atmosphere, stability and safe environment have encouraged several large companies to establish their offices in the capital, Santiago, as a gateway to doing business in Latin America.

Chile is a shining star in the Global economy, with an average yearly growth rate of 5.6% since 1990, the highest GDP per capita in Latin America, and business transparency rankings on par with those in the developed world. Chile holds a big advantage over its regional neighbors in rule of law, a stable democratic government and institutional quality.

In December 2007, S&P elevated Chile's credit rating from A to A+, a grade shared with only 10 other countries at the time.

Chile has doubled its per capita income over the last ten years and has reduced poverty levels enormously, with only 14.4% of the population below the poverty line.

Chile is one of the world's most open economies, and was the first country in the world to sign free trade agreements with the United States, Japan, European Union and China. It has the most bilateral trade agreements out of every country in the world.

Chile has a very qualified workforce and great management capacity, thus making it a popular country for regional headquarters for companies such as Unilever, Nestl? etc.

Santiago was selected the Best City for Business in Latin America by MasterCard Worldwide Research and tied with Sao Paulo for the same privilege according to Am?ricaEconom?a Magazine.

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Trip Preparation

Preparation is essential to ensure a great experience. Please read the following tips and make sure that you pack appropriately to avoid problems later on.

Dress Codes The daily dress code is listed on the itinerary for each day. The dress code will depend on the daily activity. In general, visits to companies will require business casual dress. Follow these general guidelines:

Business formal Tie and jacket for men; suit, slacks or skirt and blouse for women.

Business casual Khakis and button down shirts for men; slacks or skirt and blouse for women.

Casual Jeans and athletic shoes may be worn.

Outdoor Athletic or outdoor pants suggested. Athletic shoes, hiking boots, or sport sandals.

When it comes to dress codes, Chileans are more relaxed than Europeans,

yet less so than North Americans. Proper business

attire in meetings and business occasions is a must, although for casual events (such as dining in a restaurant) casual wear is

commonplace.

General Packing Tips

Clearly identify your luggage inside and out with your name and hotel and home address;

Place a strap around your suitcase to secure it in case the lock breaks, and to identify it easily at baggage claim;

Check your airline regulations for weight, size and number of bags; In your carry-on, keep a change of clothes, toiletries (no liquids), valuables,

important documents (travel documents, arrival instructions) and medication; We suggest you carry-on a coat; Consider bringing an extra empty suitcase or bag to carry souvenirs and purchased ?tems

Items to bring If a reciprocity fee is required for your nationality, (for more information please refer to the Entry Visa section of your program website), have your credit card or the necessary cash on hand. A reciprocity fee will only be charged participants traveling on an Australia or Mexican passport. 3 photocopies of your passport information page (the page with the photo). Also leave a copy at home. Photocopy of your prescription medications. Photocopy of your medical insurance card. International calling card and access numbers for dialing from Chile. Leave a copy with someone at home of phone numbers to cancel credit cards in case of theft. Camera Autumn/Winter (April-September): Travel umbrella Spring/Summer (October-March): Sunglasses and hat. Sunblock. Day pack (for short trips; this could double as your carry-on) A pocket Spanish-English dictionary (optional)

Clothing

Check itinerary for daily dress recommendations. Clothing appropriate for indicated climate A fleece or in-between weather jacket. Comfortable walking shoes. Workout clothes (if applicable).

Toiletries Prescription drugs for the duration of your time abroad. Extra eyeglasses, if available (if applicable) Extra contact lenses (if applicable) Pack only as many toiletry items as you will use. Small sample sizes are preferable. Remember that the hotels will provide soap, shampoo and other items.

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Useful Information

These tips will ensure that you know what to expect when you arrive in Chile.

Transportation You will be provided with transportation from your hotel to all scheduled meetings and venues. For transportation not included in the schedule, we suggest asking the hotel concierge to arrange for a taxi service. Flagging taxis on the street is generally safe and reliable in Chile.

Subway The Santiago subway (called "Metro") is a safe, inexpensive and fast transportation method. The nearest line to the Hotel is the Red Line, which traverses Santiago west to east, crossing though downtown.

Language Spanish is the official language of Chile; however English will be used during most tours and meetings.

Currency and Banking Chile's official currency is the Peso ($ or CLP), and exists in bank notes of $1000, $2000, $5,000, $10,000, $20,000 and coins of $1, $5, $10, $50, $100 and $500. Foreign cash is generally not accepted. Money can be exchanged at banks, exchange houses or hotels. We recommend you bring an ATM card to withdraw spending cash as needed, and a Credit Card for shopping or emergencies. Chile does not have a fixed exchange rate. The exchange rate for Chilean Currency usually hovers around 500 Chilean pesos ($ or CLP) for 1 US$.

Credit cards Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and major shops. The most commonly accepted cards are Visa, Master Card, Diners Club and American Express. Exchange rates for credit cards are convenient. It is important to notify your bank that you will be traveling in South America because some banks have to ensure that your card is activated for transactions abroad.

Automatic Teller Machines ATMs offer a good opportunity to withdraw Chilean currency from your home bank account at reasonable rates. ATMs in Santiago are common and easy to locate. Many ATMs honor Cirrus, Visa, Plus and Maestro cards. Please note that most banks charge a transaction fee for international ATM withdrawals which can vary between USD$3 and USD$8. The two exceptions are Banco Security and BancoEstado, so always try to withdraw from their ATMs if possible.

Money Exchange Money may be exchanged at any established "Casa de Cambio" (Money Exchange) at market driven exchange rates. There are several Casas de Cambios near your hotel.

Mobile Telephones If you carry a triband GSM handset with your own sim card to Santiago, you will be able to roam with your same mobile number within the Entel PCS GSM Network. The GSM Frequency used by Entel PCS is 1900 MHz.

Electric Supply The power supply in Chile is 220 Volts @ 50 Hz. The use of appliances or electric devices designed for 110V need a transformer. Most travel appliances like laptop computers have an auto volt (110V-240V) transformer that will adapt to Chilean electricity.

Electric Plugs Chile uses C and L type electric plugs (two round pins, and a third "earth" pin in the middle for L types). The Austral Group will provide you with an outlet adaptor upon arrival.

NOTE: This is not a transformer. You will not be able to plug in 110v equipment with your plug adaptor. While shavers and cameras are usually multi-voltage, items such as hair dryers and hair irons are not. Check your equipment before plugging in! If you require an electric voltage transformer, let us know and we can provide one for an additional rental fee.

Water Santiago's water supply is potable and safe to drink. To avoid any complications, we suggest you drink bottled water, which you can buy in pharmacies, supermarkets, or sidewalk kiosks.

Goods and Services Tax Goods and services in Chile are subject to a 19% value added tax. This is generally included in the purchase price. This tax cannot be recuperated upon leaving the country.

Tipping It is usual to tip at restaurants and bars in Chile. The standard rate is 10% and this is generally not included in the bill unless otherwise stated. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers, but you may round up the fare to the nearest $500 peso for convenience, or when the taxi driver has been particularly helpful. Gratuities for group meals that are listed in the itinerary and for bus drivers, travel hosts and tour guides have been included as part of The Austral Group service.

Calling Home The cheapest way to call abroad is to use Skype, or go to a "Locutorio" (calling office). They provide several phone booths with special rates to call abroad, and are much cheaper than using calling cards. If you wish, you may buy calling cards on any sidewalk kiosk. Rates vary depending on the card, but you usually get about 5 minutes for US$10.

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Emergency Contacts in Chile

The Austral Group

Enrique Foster 196, Las Condes, Santiago Calling from USA (normal office hours): USA Toll-Free: (877) 871-3932 or Calling from other countries (normal office hours): +(1) 786-345-0048 and +(56 2) 719-5979

Embassy and Consulate of the United States of America Av. Andr?s Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago. If you are a citizen of the United States and have an after-hours emergency, call (56-2) 330-3000 to be connected with the duty officer. If you have an emergency during normal business hours (8:30 am-5 pm), call (56-2) 330-3716. Emergencies are generally considered to be life-threatening situations. For all non-emergency matters, contact the American Citizen Services unit at santiagoamcit@ or dial (56-2) 330-3000 during normal business hours (8:30 am-5 pm) to access the information line.

Canadian Embassy and Consulate Nueva Tajamar 481 - Piso 12, Torre Norte, Las Condes, Santiago. Tel.: (56-2) 652-3800 Email: General: stago@international.gc.ca Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Friday: 8:30 a.m - 1:00 p.m.

British Embassy and Consulate Avda. El Bosque Norte 0125, Las Condes, Santiago. Tel.: (56 2) 370 4100 Monday - Thursday: 09.00 - 12.00. Friday: Closed for the public.

Embassy and Consulate of New Zealand Isidora Goyenechea 3000, 12th floor, Las Condes, Santiago. chile Tel.:(56 2) 616 3000 E-mail: embajada@nzembassy.cl Mon - Friday: 09.00 - 13.00hrs, 14.00 - 17.00hrs

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The Austral Group

Enrique Foster 196, Las Condes Santiago, 755-0087

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