Chile, located along the east coast of South America, is a country brimming with a rich historic background. The country has seen several settlers over the past few centuries and withstood some turbulent times.

The history of Chile can be traced back to the time when the Incas first inhabited the region. By the time the Spanish explorers and invaders hit the Chilean shores in the 16th century, the country was divided between different tribes, primarily Native Americans. The most significant of these were the warlike Araucanian tribe, who were the only ones who posed some resistance to the Spanish.

The conquests of Chile by the Spanish conquistadors began in 1535, when they came seeking gold but were turned back by the local population. The Europeans finally managed to establish a permanent settlement in Chile at Santiago in 1541. The repeated Mapuche insurrections resulted in the destruction of several of Spanish settlements. Finally, the abolition of slavery in 1683 brought about a truce between the colonists and the locals.

The struggle for Chile’s independence from Spain began in 1810 when the locals declared Chile an autonomous republic within the Spanish monarchy. Although the Spanish tried to suppress the freedom struggle, constant warfare till 1817 and the decisive victory by Bernardo O’Higgins over the Spaniards, finally ensured complete independence in 1818.

Further turmoil and warfare took place in the form of the War of the Pacific with Peru and Bolivia between 1879 and 1883. As a result, Chile further expanded its territory northwards.

After the Chilean Civil War in 1891, the country witnessed several ups and downs in the political scenario, with short stints of dictatorship. A severe economic depression in the late 1960s and early 1970s also hampered the country’s growth in the international market. Political stability was finally restored in the late 1990s, but not before a brutal military regime under Augusto Pinochet Ugarte when serious human right violations took place.

Today, after years of turmoil, disorder and warfare, the country is a settled place and attracts thousands of tourists each year who take pleasure in and inspiration from its rich historic heritage.

About the Author: 

Chile Tours provides detailed information on Chile, Chile Tours, History of Chile, Culture of Chile and more. Chile Tours is affiliated with Brazil Hotels.

Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer hikers and I'll probably answer Easter Island. Here on an island 11 km wide and 23 km long you'll find nearly a thousand ancient Polynesian statues strewn along a powerfully beautiful coastline or littering the slopes of an extinct volcano.

The legends of Easter Island have been recounted many times. What's less known is that the island's assorted wonders are easily accessible on foot from the comfort of the only settlement, Hanga Roa. Before setting out see the sights, however, visit the excellent archaeological museum next to Ahu Tahai on the north side of town (the term "ahu" refers to an ancient stone platform). Aside from the exhibits, the museum has maps which can help you plan your trip. On online map is available at http://www.mapsouthpacific.com/easter_island/

The first morning after arrival, I suggest you climb Easter Island's most spectacular volcano, Rano Kau, where Orongo, a major archaeological site, sits on the crater's rim. But rather than marching straight up the main road to the crater, look for the unmarked shortcut trail off a driveway to the right just past the forestry station south of town. It takes under two hours to cover the six km from Hanga Roa to Orongo, but bring along a picnic lunch and make a day of it. (If climbing a 316-meter hill sounds daunting, you can take a taxi to the summit for around US$6 and easily walk back later in the day.) Once on top, you'll find hiking down into the colourful crater presents no difficulty. It may also look easy to go right around the crater rim, but only do so if you're a very experienced hiker and have a companion along as shear 250-meter cliffs drop into the sea from the ridge.

Another day, rise early and take a taxi to lovely Anakena Beach at the end of the paved road on the north side of the island (you should pay under US$10 for the 20 km). A few of the famous Easter Island statues have been restored at Anakena and you could go for a swim, although the main reason you've come is the chance to trek back to Hanga Roa around the road-free northwest corner of the island. You'll pass numerous abandoned statues lying facedown where they fell, and the only living creatures you're unlikely to encounter are the small brown hawks which will watch you intently from perches on nearby rocks. If you keep moving, you'll arrive back in town in five or six hours (but take adequate food, water, and sunscreen). This is probably the finest coastal walk in the South Pacific.

Almost as good is the hike along the south coast, although you're bound to run into other tourists here as a paved highway follows the shore. Begin early and catch a taxi to Rano Raraku, the stone quarry where all of the island's statues were born. This is easily the island's most spectacular sight with 397 statues in various stages of completion lying scattered around the crater. And each day large tour groups come to Rano Raraku to sightsee and have lunch. However, if you arrive before 9 am, you'll have the site to yourself for a few hours. When you see the first tour buses headed your way, hike down to Ahu Tongariki on the coast, where 15 massive statues were reerected in 1994. From here, just start walking back toward Hanga Roa (20 km) along the south coast. You'll pass many fallen statues and enjoy some superb scenery. Whenever you get tired, simply go up onto the highway and stick out your thumb and you'll be back in town in a jiffy.

An outstanding 13-km walk begins at the museum and follows the west coast five km north to Ahu Tepeu. As elsewhere, keep your eyes pealed for banana trees growing out of the barren rocks as these often indicate caves you can explore. Inland from Ahu Tepeu is one of the island's most photographed sites, Ahu Akivi, with seven statues restored in 1960. From here an interior farm road runs straight back to town (study the maps at the museum carefully, as you'll go far out of your way if you choose the wrong road here).

A shorter hike takes you up Puna Pau, a smaller crater which provided stone for the red topknots that originally crowned the island's statues. There's a great view of Hanga Roa from the three crosses on an adjacent hill and you can easily do it all in half a day. A different walk takes you right around the 3,353-meter airport runway, which crosses the island just south of town. Near the east end of the runway is Ahu Vinapu with perfectly fitted monolithic stonework bearing an uncanny resemblance to similar constructions in Peru.

Easter Island's moderate climate and scant vegetation make for easy cross country hiking, and you won't find yourself blocked by fences and private property signs very often. You could also tour the island by mountain bike, available from several locations at US$10 a day. If you surf or scuba dive, there are many opportunities here. A minimum of five days are needed to see the main sights of Easter Island, and two weeks would be far better. The variety of things to see and do will surprise you, and you'll be blessed with some unforgettable memories.

About the Author:

David Stanley is the author of Moon Handbooks South Pacific which has a chapter on Easter Island. Stanley's guide to Easter Island and Easter Island travel photos may be perused online.