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Interesting Facts about Chile

Trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits about Chile.

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Did You Know?

17 curious facts about Chile.

  • When a child loses a tooth they give their tooth to their mother. She will have it made into a charm, set in gold or silver, so the child can wear it as a necklace or an earring.
  • The driest place on earth is the Atacama Desert, where no rain has fallen in the last 400 years.
  • Well-known Chilean-Canadian writers include Jorge Etcheverry, Naín Noméz, and José Leandro Urbina.
  • The name Chile may come from a Peruvian Indian word that means “ snow,” or from an Inca word that means “ land's end.” Some people believe it comes from the call of a local bird, “ cheele-cheele.”
  • The Atacama Desert is one of the driest place on earth. It has had periods of more than 20 years during which not a single drop of rain fell.
  • Adult friends of the family are often called tio or tia (uncle or aunt) as a mark of respect and affection.
  • In 1990, the National Women's Service (Sernam) was created to ensure equal rights for women, bring them into the workforce, improve their quality of life and strengthen their family ties.
  • One of the best tennis players in the world is a Chilean, Marcelo Rios. He has competed in major international tennis competitions, such as Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
  • Diseases of the circulatory system, such as heart disease, are the leading cause of death in Chile. They account for approximately 58% of all deaths.
  • Initially, free primary and secondary schools in Chile were open only to boys. The first all-female high school was founded by Antonia Tarragó in 1864.