Santiago is the capital and largest city in Chile and sits in a valley on the canalized Mapocho River, surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coast Range. The city was founded as Santiago del Nuevo Extremo, Santiago of the New Frontier, in 1541 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. Prior to the Spanish settlers taking over and ruling the area, the original inhabitants were the Picunche Indians.

Santiago is a dynamic, sophisticated, energetic, and cosmopolitan city. It has strong European and North American influences in its architecture and culture, but recently, there has been a resurgence of mestizo artisanship, especially in music, theater, painting and literature. It is home to many events showcasing the best of Chilean culture and hosts international festivals filled with music, flavor, and color. It is a city that is filled with beauty, world-class museums, art galleries, handicraft markets, sidewalk eateries, restaurants, bars, cafés, and Latino nightlife in it's many barrios!