Top Geographic facts about Chile For Kids - a country of EXTREMES

Chile is a country of extremes. Home to the driest desert, the highest volcano, and one of the most distant populated islands on earth, Chile's shape is also very unusual. From north to south, Chile extends more than 4,000 kilometers, but from east to west, it only averages about 177 kilometers. Let's explore some of its most amazing features. First, the Atacama Desert in the north of Chile is one of the driest places on earth. Scientists believe that it didn't get any rain for more than 400 years. Some parts of this area have never recorded any rain, not a drop. In the desert is a place called Moon Valley, so called because being there, you might actually think that you've left the planet. In fact, soil from this region is similar to that found on Mars. It's true! NASA uses it to test robots for missions to the red planet. Further south, Chile actually experiences a lot of rain. The beautiful forests and jungles in the south are nurtured by ongoing, plentiful rainfall. In winter, it may rain for hours, days, or weeks. Umbrellas, raincoats, and waterproof boots are essential. Moving on, the strongest earthquake ever recorded was in Chile in 1960. It caused tsunamis which pounded the Chilean coastline with huge waves. The main tsunami, however, traveled across the Pacific Ocean and caused great damage in Hawaii. Talking about traveling across the Pacific, the territory of Chile doesn't include just the mainland, but also a bunch of islands, none more famous than Easter Island. You know, the one with the amazing monumental statues. Easter Island is one of the most distant inhabited islands in the world. There isn't another populated area around for thousands of miles! Finally, the mountains in the East of Chile are home to the highest volcano in the world. It's on the Chile-Argentina border and hosts the world's highest lake, at an incredible 6,390 meters above sea level. Chile really is an amazing place!