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As mentioned, Chile is an extreme country. The climate in the North is dry and arid. Rainfall is practically zero and temperatures can reach the mid 30s. Night time temperatures are very low in the north of the country.

The Central Region boasts the best climate-long, dry summers and short, chilly winters when the temperature can reach 0c overnight but very rarely less.

In the South of the country summers are short and rainfall is frequent throughout the year. Winters are very cold and very wet.

In the Far South, Patagonia, weather conditions can be extreme. Rainfall is more than frequent and winters are very cold.

Natural Hazards

Chile is, essentially, one giant geological fault. Tremors are an almost everyday occurrence and small earthquakes are also common. Major quakes occur every now and again. In the South there are active volcanoes that occasionally blow. There are usually warning signs and areas are evacuated with time to spare. New buildings are built to high anti-seismic standards and older buildings tend to fare well and have often survived over a century without major problems. None of this has a bearing on everyday life, which goes on like anywhere else in the world.

Hurricanes and other extreme weather conditions are unknown in Chile.

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About The Author

Matt Ridgway is an Englishman who has lived in South America for over three years. He worked as a private property consultant in Buenos Aires before recently moving to Chile with his Chilean girlfriend. They both continue to offer real estate and investment advice but now focus on the Central Region of Chile.

For more information about moving to and investing in Chile please read www.pacificfive.co.uk