Topographically Diverse Chile

CHILE, being the long and skinny country along South America's western coast bordering the Pacific Ocean, is a land of extremes as far as geology, climate, and elevation goes. The eastern border with Argentina boasts the Andes Mountains, a tall mountain range with several peaks with elevations over 20,000 feet. While not all mountain ranges have a cold climate, this one does; of course, the tall peaks have snow on them. Meanwhile, an extremely hot and dry desert - Atacama Desert - stretches down the coastline of northern Chile and west of the Andes range. It only receives about 0.04 inches of rain a year, undoubtedly the lowest amount in the world; even the Sahara typically receives a little more rain - only about 0.1, but still more than the Atacama Desert. Southern Chile is relatively low in elevation, and its climate is cool and wet. You would typically find forests and land for grazing here. Central Chile is home to a Mediterranean temperate climate that is perfect for agriculture. Crops grown here include grapes and other fruits, corn, wheat, bean, potatoes, and sugar beets.