CHILE, CHALLENGING LANDSCAPE

Chile is located in the extreme Southwestern part of South America, and, from North to South, it stretches from desert to ice fields. On the map, Chile is 4329 kilometers long, 360 kilometers across at its widest point (Antofagasta), and only 90 kilometers across at its narrowest (Illapel).

The Chilean geography is varied and challenging. Two mountain ranges run along almost its entire length. To the east are the Andes Mountains, with peaks of up to 6898 metres (Ojos del Salado volcano). The central valley lies between these two ranges, watered by rivers that spring from snow-melt from the Andes mountain range.

A SMOKE-FREE EVENT

DOHaD 2009 is an activity sponsored by the Ministry of Health of the Chilean Government, and therefore is a "smoke-free event". Smoking is prohibited in the Convention Center.

Santiago de Chile, venue DOHaD 2009

Santiago de Chile, or simply Santiago, is the capital and main urban center of Chile.

Santiago also is the seventh most populated city in Latin America, and one of the 45 largest metropolitan areas of the world.

The city of Santiago houses the main government agencies (with the exception of the National Congress, located in Valparaiso), financial, administrative, commercial and cultural affairs. Santiago de Chile is also headquarters of CEPAL and is regarded as the second Latin American city with the best quality of life, after Montevideo and as a global city of gamma class, at the height of Amsterdam or Boston, and beating out major cities like Rome, Stockholm and Pekín. Finally, it is regarded as the 53 city with higher incomes in the world with a PIB (PPP) of U.S. $ 91,000 million in 2005 and estimated $ 160,000 million by 2020.

Arriving in Santiago

Arturo Benítez, is the Airport and the international and regional Gateway to Chile. Located 30 km from the Santiago downtown, shuttle buses operate between airport and bus terminal and taxis are easily available. As a general guide, taxi fees from the International Airport to the Sheraton Hotel (the DOHaD venue) are US$ 30.00.

Climate

During November, average temperatures ranges from 16 to 26 Celsius or 61 to 79 Fahrenheit. Temperatures reach their highest during the day and cool off in the evening. A light sweater is often recommended for evening and late night outings. Santiago’s summers are characterized by a dry heat very easy to beat under the shade of a big tree.

Dress Standards

During the Congress, we suggest delegates wear smart, casual clothing

Welcome Cocktail

Formal Dress

Lunch Closed

Comfortable clothing

The Venue

Registration Check in
The Registration Desk at the Congress will be open as follows:

Nov, 19	09:00 am – 06:00 pm
Nov, 20 and 21	07:30 am - 06:00 pm
Nov, 22	08:00 am - 01:00 pm

Delegates will be given their bag and personalized envelop at registration check in. The bag will contain the Program / Abstract book and other materials of use during their time at the Congress.

VISAS

International visitors to Chile from some countries required VISA. It is your responsibility to ensure documentation is correct and complete before your travel. Please see below the general information on obtaining VISAS:

Documentation Required for Application for a Visitor Visa	A visitor seeking entry to Chile is required to establish to the satisfaction of the immigration officer identity and purpose of entry. All persons require a passport to enter Chile, except citizens and permanent residents of the Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay who must nonetheless provide proof of citizenship or National identification. • A valid passport (recommend a minimum of six months validity beyond intended stay) • Visa application forms • Satisfactory evidence of sufficient funds
Method of Lodgement	Application for a visitor visa must be made at a mission prior to seeking entry to Chile. Applicants are required to lodge their visa applications personally, however in some cases an interview may be required.
Processing time	24 hours-7 days depending on whether application has to be referred to the relevant authorities.
Multiple Entry Visa	Chile issues Tourist, Visitor visas (visa required for nationals of countries with no diplomatic relations with Chile).
Validity/Extension Visa	Tourist and Visitor up to 90 days depending on nationality.
Cost of Visa Application Visa	The visa fee varies every year and it is established by the General Direction of Consular Affairs and the Immigration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, based on the reciprocity principle. Nationals of the U.S. and Canada entering Chile for tourism purposes will be charged a processing fee payable on arrival and in cash only. For U.S. Citizens the fee is US$100.
Specific Requirements	• All the requirements specified for tourist visa
Specific Requirements - Under prevailing International Agreements	Nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay, provided not entering under commercial contract or as students or as immigrants, can enter with a special identity card (Cédula de Identitad) for short-term visits (except foreign residents of these countries who do need a passport).
Further Information	Contact local Embassy or Consular section of the Embassy

Insurance
Registration fee do not include insurance of any kind. The Organizing Committee strongly recommended that all delegates take out own travel and medical insurance prior to coming to the Congress.