Hile many south american cities are plagued by economic woes, social strife and political upheaval, Santiago, Chile, has registered steady economic growth over the past two decades and has one of the most desirable climates for doing business on the continent. The nation’s capital and main industrial center is home to 40 percent of Chile’s 16 million people and is located in a magnificent natural setting just 25 miles from the Andes Mountains and 60 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the most sophisticated capital markets in South America, Chile has achieved a level of stability and prosperity that was inconceivable just 20 years ago. The country’s fortunes began to change following the regime of Gen. Augusto Pinochet whose brutal totalitarian rule inflicted a deep wound on the national psyche. Emerging from that dark time, Chile has become a robust, vibrant democratic republic with a bright economic picture.

During the 1990s, both Santiago and Chile as a whole saw gross domestic product grow at average rates of 8 percent a year. Low inflation and integration with international capital markets enabled Chile to attain the best credit rating in Latin America — a distinction that continues to the present day, despite the occasional setback.

The mining industry is exceptionally strong as copper prices reached record levels in 2006. Mining accounts for 50 percent of Chile’s exports. State-owned firm Codelco currently ranks as the world’s top copper producer, and the government is investing billions of dollars in expansion and development of mining projects. At the same time, Chile has diversified its exports to include wood and wood products, fresh fruit, processed food, seafood and wine.

Foreign trade totaled a record $58 billion in 2006, with the United States once again ranking as Chile’s foremost trading partner. Since the U.S.–Chile free trade agreement took effect January 1, 2004, trade between the two countries has soared a whopping 154 percent. Last year, total trade between Chile and the United States reached $14.8 billion as 90 percent of U.S. goods now enter Chile duty-free (allremaining tariffs on American goods will be phased out by 2015).

Bilateral relations between the governments of Chile and the United States are better now than at any time in recent history. The U.S. embassy also plays an active role in providing a wide range of services to both American citizens and American businesses in Chile.

Americans traveling to Santiago on business will find a work day similar to the United States as most offices open by 9 a.m. and close at 6 or 7 p.m. Lunchtime usually lasts longer than in the United States; lunch meetings typically do not begin before 1 p.m. and last two or three hours. Many, but not all, Chileans are fluent in English, so the ability to communicate in Spanish — both spoken and written — is a definite plus. Santiago has an excellent telecommunications network, and WiFi hotspots are fairly common throughout the city.

LODGING

RITZ-CARLTON SANTIAGO

This elegant top-of-the line hotel is situated in the heart of the El Golf district, amidst chic boutiques and exclusive apartments. Accommodations include 12 executive suites, three club suites and 49 club-level rooms. Club- level guests have access to a lounge with five complimentary food and beverage presentations during the day and the services of a personal concierge. The glass-domed health and fitness center offers the ultimate views of the city and the surrounding Andes. $$$$
RITZ-CARLTON SANTIAGO
Calle El Alcalde 15
tel 56 2 470 8500, fax 56 2 470 8501
http://www.ritzcarlton.com

GRAND HYATT SANTIAGO
Two golden lions flank the entrance to this iconic structure topped by a soaring spire. Glass elevators transport guests to the 287 guestrooms and 23 suites, and the large health club overlooks a kidney-shaped swimming pool complete with waterfall. Amenities include tennis courts, a tearoom and three awardwinning restaurants serving Japanese, Thai and Italian cuisine, plus an English-style pub. $$$$
GRAND HYATT SANTIAGO
Ave. Kennedy 4601
tel 56 2 950 1234, fax 56 2 950 3155
http://santiago.grand.hyatt.com

INTERCONTINENTAL SANTIAGO

Like the Ritz-Carlton, the 304-room InterContinental is just steps away from the upscale shops and restaurants of the Le Golf district. Each guestroom is decorated in elegant, contemporary style emphasizing light and space; amenities include fresh flowers, marble floors, bathrobes, CDplayers and cable/satellite TV. Meeting space includes seven function rooms, a business center and executive floors. The Benito Bar is a favorite gathering spot, while the hotel’s La Terraza restaurant specializes in seafood dishes and Bice Trattoria serves a quality Italian menu. $$$$
INTERCONTINENTAL SANTIAGO
Ave. Vitacura 2885
tel 56 2 394 2000, fax 56 2 394 2075
http://www.ichotels.com

DINING

AZUL PROFUNDO

This seafood restaurant is located in the Bellavista district, which is home to many of Santiago’s finest dining establishments, pubs and discos. An executive lunch is served daily; favorite dishes include ceviche, fish soup and king crab souffle. Bottles of wine adorn the blue and yellow walls decorated with a maritime theme. $$$$
AZUL PROFUNDO
Constitution 111
tel 56 2 738 0288

EL HUERTO

This highly rated, intimate restaurant has specialized in vegetarian and healthy cuisine since opening in 1981. The menu changes every week; among perennial favorites are the Greek and Sicilian salads, especially when accompanied by a fine Chilean wine or a local libation, such as a pisco sour. For business lunches, book the private dining room that accommodates up to 12 people. $$$
EL HUERTO
Orrego Luca 54
tel 56 2 233 2690

EL MADRONAL
One of the finest Spanish restaurants in all of Chile combines quality cuisine with comfortable surroundings, where guests can sip aperitifs in the cozy bar area while waiting for their tables — reservations are strongly recommended. $$$
EL MADRONAL
Vitacura 2911
tel 56 2 233 6312

DIVERSIONS

Resplendent with fountains and gardens is Plaza de Armas, Santiago’s main square, which dates from the founding of the city in 1541 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. A great place for people-watching, it is adjacent to several places of interest including the City Hall, National History Museum and Cathedral.

The city’s most stunning museum collection is on display in the Museo Precolombino (Pre-Colombian Museum) three blocks west of the Plaza. It occupies an exquisitely restored colonial building that was formerly the Royal Customs House, and houses a superb array of ceramics and textiles produced by South and Central America’s original settlers. The Tribunal of Justice across the street from the museum was the site of human rights demonstrations during the Pinochet regime.

The city plan was designed to include substantial space for parks and green areas, and the favorite place for Santiaguinos as well as tourists is Parque Metropolitano (Metropolitan Park) atop San Cristobal Hill. It can be reached by auto, cable car or on foot. A terrace, botanical garden and winetasting center on the top of the hill provide terrific views of the city. Other preferred parks include Parque O’Higgins, an expansive swath of green where it was fashionable to ride horses when the park opened in the late 1800s. Here you will also find “El Pueblito,” which resembles a typical Chilean country village. Banana trees line the paths that wend their way through Parque Forestal, which follows the course of the Mapocho River.

The bustling Central Market, dating from 1872, offers an intriguing slice of daily city life.Vendors sell a huge selection of fruits and vegetables including several rare delicacies such as exotic mushrooms and the giant pine nuts (pinones) that come from hile’s monkey puzzle tree.

For shopaholics there are some excellent crafts markets selling lapis lazuli jewelry, woolen items and hand-carved figurines. For leather goods and clothing, check out the trendy boutiques along the streets of Providencia and Vitacura, while luxury department stores and shopping malls are found in the upscale Las Condes district.

Just beyond city limits is the Maipo Valley, one of Chile’s most prosperous winegrowing regions and a great place for hiking, horseback riding and whitewater rafting. Guided tours are offered of the Concha y Toro Winery in the village of Pirque, along with several other vineyards such as Santa Rita and Santa Carolina. It is also less than an hour’s drive from downtown Santiago to the slopes of the Andes, where you can ski from May to October — the South American winter.

INFO TO GO

Santiago International Airport (SCL) is located about 11 miles northwest of Santiago. Domestic and international terminals are connected via a series of walkways. Arriving passengers can pick up an official taxi (look for blue identification) outside the ground-floor exit. Minibuses operated by TransVip and TransCity offer door-to-door service to locations throughout Santiago. Purchase tickets in the baggage claim area.