Chile

 **Chile's Christmas Customs** **By: Elisa** **__Chile's background information__** Chile is the country in South America that occupies the long, narrow coastal strip with the Andes Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It boarders Argentina to the east, Bolivia to the northeast, Peru to the north, and the Drake Passage to the far south. Chile, along with Ecuador, is one of the two countries that do not border Peru. Its shape is a distinctive ribbon of 4,300 (2,700 mi) kilometers long of land, and 175 (109 mi) kilometers wide. Chile's climate varies from the Atacoma- the worlds driest desert- to the north, a mediterrean climate in the center, to a rainy temperate climate in the south.

__**Its the most wonderful time of the year!**__ Christmas in Chile occurs in the summertime. This is ideal for the children of Chile because they are finishing up with school and are ready for summer. Christmas is their perfect way to start off their summer vacation. Chileans do and think a lot of the same things as we do, they just do it a little differently. **Custom #1** To the Chileans, Santa is called "Viejito Pascuero", or Old Man Christmas. He is also sometimes referred to as "Papa Noel". Just like our Santa, he rides around in a sleigh carried by reindeer bringing gifts to the children. Viejito Pascuero, like the worldwide Santa, comes in through the chimney and occasionally thought to come in through the window. Near midnight on Christmas Eve, the gifts are exchanged and opened. Chileans put their gifts under a decorated Christmas tree, just like we do. They mostly have real tress in their homes, although artificial tress are becoming more popular.



**Custom #2** Food plays a big role in many Chilean holidays. During Christmas, they have a variety of traditional foods. Families usually gather by late afternoon on Christmas Eve, which is when their celebration begins. A large dinner is the served later that evening. This meal most likely consists of oven roasted chicken, turkey, or another meal. For dessert, pan de pascua, a sweet fruit cake dessert, is usually served. Along with this traditional meal, a traditional drink is served. "Cola de Mono" or "Monkey's Tail" is made from coffee, milk, liquor, cinnamon and sugar.   Cola de Mono

Pan de Pascua

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