As a tourist destination, Chile is quickly being discovered as one of the most beautiful, interesting and sophisticated countries in South America. The 2400 miles (4500 km) long country is tucked in between the Pacific Ocean and the Majestic Andes mountains. This country offers a fascinating variety of landscapes and cultures: wide beaches, the fertile central valley with its highly touted wineries, the Atacama Desert in the north, and the pristine wilderness of the south with its volcanoes, lakes, forests and fjords. One can even explore the mysterious Eastern Island and the frozen Antarctic landscape. Since returning to democracy in 1990, Chile has had a stable political system and strong economy, making it a very safe destination. The Chilean people are a mixture of Mediterranean immigrants with the Mapuche Indians of the south and the Aymara Indians of the north.