Diario las Américas., 1958-04-03
Know thy
Nei9hbori
BY NToNI RUIZ

CHlLE - Vlna del Mar, the
garden city of the Pacific, is one
of the most famed resort cities
in the world. The beauty without
parallel of its beaches, its privi-
legged climate and the atmosphere
OF distinction and elegance which
characterizes Vina del Mar, have
given it the prestige of high class
resort, comparable to the best in
Europe and the United States.
This prestige attracts every sum-
mer thousands of tourists not only
from other parts of Chile. but
from many foreign countries, espe-
cially from Argentina.
The greatest attraction in Vina
del Mar is the Municipal Casino,
housed in a Sumptuous building
constructed by the sea. The Ca
Sino is in operation six months
every year, from the Is of Sep
TENDER to the Is of March. The
profits the Casino gives the Mu-
nicipality of Vina del MAI have
enabled it to complete many pro-
jectS of great importance for the
progress of the city, such as the
luxurious and comfortable hotels
"Miramar" and "O'HigginS"; the
purchase of the great Vergara
Mansion, housing now the NUM-
cipal Academy of Fine Arts, where
there r gardens of extreme
beauty, as well as valuable forest
specimens; the construction of
houses for employees and workers,
and many other progressive pro-
jectS.
Among the many interesting
places in Vina del Mar are the
"Cerro del Castillo" castle Hill),
which stands across from the Mu-
nicipal Casino. There is the sum-
mer residence of the Chilean Pre-
sidents, which is surrounded by
many other important buildings;
the picturesque race-track Of the
Valparaiso Sporting Club, where
h~orse-races are held on Sundays
and holidays. These meetings have
special attraction during the sum-
mer months, in which there are
many special features, such as
eel Derby, a classic which takes
place in the middle of January,
with the attendance of members
of the high social circles Of Valpa-
raise, Santiago and many other
Chilean cities.
The excellent golf course of
Granadillas, located at the north
of the city, is among the best in
the world, according to experts.
The Eel Tranque" Park, where
there is an ample stadium, and
the beautiful natural lake, and
EEL Olivar', with beautiful gar
dens and a good restaurant, and
the Oceanography Institute of the
University of Chile, in nearby
Montemar, with a rich collection
of Chilean ocean fauna, r also
places which attract many visitors.
The municipal tourist hotel, the
"Miramar", located at the beach
of Caleta Abarca, is housed in a
modern building and is an exam
pie of the progress achieved in
resort Accommodations. 1t has all
the modern convenienceS, includ-
ing hot salt water baths, turkish
baths, warm W at er swimming
pools, private beach, and a natu-
rocks at the beach.
The beaches, the blue waters OF
which rival those of the Riviera,
form a virtual chain or and around
VIVA del Mar. The most popular
are those of Caleta Abarca, Mira
mar, Las Salinas, Las Osas, Rena-
ca, Playa Amarillo and Montemar.
Concon, picturesque resort locat-
ed north of VIVA del Mar, is con-
nected to the city by an excellent
paved highway. The Aconcagua
River has a service for tourists Of
fering the most beautiful land
scape views, and pours into the
ocean at a point called Concon
Alto. A long bridge has been
constructed there, which is eros
sed by automobiles going north,
toward the resorts of Quintero,
Maitencillo, Zapallar and Papudo.
!Conc6n is assuming industrial
importance, since it became the
site of an oil refinery, in which
petroleum from the fields OF Ma
gallanes is processed.
- Vru Dada