Interesting Facts about Chile

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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.