A Warm Welcome In Chile

Problem
Chile is in South America, yes, most of us know that, but - ahem, what more do you know about it?
Looking at the map, the larger country of Argentina (don't cry for me) to the right or East takes up most of the other half of the tail of South America.

On Wikipedia you can click on the national anthm to the right of your screen and hear the jolly music played by what sounds like a brass band with cymbals, and watch the words about the country, including 'embroidered with flowers' and 'refuge from oppression'.

The country's name used to be spelled Chili, but, catch up folks, it's now Chile. The name has several possible origins, most of which are obscure and instantly forgotten. The memorable ones are that it was the word for snow in a local language, or the sound of a bird. Very visual and appropriate for a potential tourist.

Answers
First, where is it? Along the left hand side of South America. Long and thin, north to south. Snake shape country.

Who, what, when, where, why?

Who To Know About
Allende, (Salvador Allende) Marxist President in office for 40 years. Introduced many worthwhile reforms but nationalised copper industry, which failed, and suffered major inflation, finally a truckers' strike brought a crisis and Allende committed suiced (disputed) with a gun given to him by Castro of Cuba. His daughter was called Isabel and so was his second neice, the author Isabel Allende.


I started typing Isobel, found the correct seplling was Isabel, and now easily remember that with the mnemonic or memory aid: Isabel - She is a belle.
Isabel Allende, author of The House of the Spirits.


Chile has:
Allende family - President Salvador, and writer Isabel, whose novels use magical realism.
Andes mountain on the East, some snow-capped and reflected in lakes.
Authors
Democracy
Dictatorship
Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda

Pablo Neruda, Nobel Prize winner.

Pinochet (took over from Allende in mitary coup)
Speak Spanish. A chance to practise your Spanish, or plan to learn Spanish.
Wines!

What Next
Two well known Pacific islands controlled by Chile might interest you:
Easter Island with its weird statues of primitive looking people.

Robinson Crusoe Island where Alexander Selkirk was marooned, whose story was one of several which inspired the novel Robinson Crusoe, although the author set his story in the better known Caribbean.

(Come back for more later today or at the weekend.)
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.