in a context of unity and fraternity, chile’s bicentennial festivities included unique celebrations from across the nation.

Constitution Plaza, Santiago [FoToSEARCH.CoM]

in a context of unity and fraternity, chile’s bicentennial festivities included unique celebrations from across the nation.

Among the most notable initiatives were the installation of a Great National Flag; the planting of 17 million trees; a memorial to remember the victims of the earthquake on February 27, 2010; and the installation of one of the world’s largest telescopes in the northern city of Antofagasta.

Country Snapshot:

• Chile is the world’s fifth-largest exporter of wine.

• Chileans call their country “país de poetas” (country of poets). Chile’s most famous poet is Pablo Neruda, a prolific and wide-ranging writer who produced more than 40 volumes in his lifetime.

• Rodeo is a traditional sport in Chile and was declared the national sport in 1962.

• Chile is the longest country in the world with a length of 4,329 kilometers, equivalent to one-tenth of the Earth’s circumference.

Wine production [AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE]

rodeo [AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE]