Chile covers a vast and diverse stretch of land in Latin America. In the east Chile is covered by the Andes Mountains. Another small mountain range is located in southern Chile creating a very fertile valley that is the center of Chilean agriculture. Because of the varying terrains, the foods also vary. The basic Chilean diet consists of corn based dishes. The cuisine is not diverse solely for that reason. Various waves of settlers brought new foods with them. In 1541 the Spanish arrived and brought with them olives, walnuts, grapes, citrus fruits, rice, wheat, garlic, sugar, and other various spices. They also introduced a large array of live stock such as chicken, sheep, pigs, and even rabbits. In the late 1800's German immigrants settled in Chile and brought pastries and cakes with them. Italian, Arab, and British immigrants settled in Chile various spices, herbs, and even styles of cooking. One of the most popular items brought over by the British was tea. To this day tea time is popular all over Chile. The most popular way to serve the tea is with milk. The basic Chilean diet consists of meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. A popular Chilean dish all over the world is arroz con leche, more commonly known as rice pudding. Pictured below is a typical bowl of rice pudding. 

The name Chili comes from the indigenous Aymará word meaning "the land where the earth ends.” Chili’s people have a sense of nationalism that unifies them as a whole without dividing the country into distinct cultural regions. Chileans are a mix of several different people groups, ranging from the indigenous Aymará and Mapuche people as well as Europeans from Palestine, Croatia, Italy, France, Great Britain and Germany. As a result of the ethnic background of the people, Chilean cuisine is a medley of several genres of cooking methods and ingredients including English, Italian, Spanish, German, and indigenous. Due to the over 2,650 miles of coastline, a majority of Chilean cuisine is derived from seafood. The traditional Chilean elites tend to dine on food that is more of a European flavor. The typical Chilean eats four meals a day with breakfast usually between 7 and 9am, lunch between 1 and 2pm, Once (similar to a British tea time) at 5pm, and dinner is usually served around 9pm. During the September 18 independence day celebration, typically Chileans celebrate with parrilladas which are similar to barbeques where empanadas, humitas, pastel de choclo and other traditional dishes are served. Also with these celebrations wine, chicha (which is a fermented apple brew), and pisco (which is a grape brandy) are served. Although Chilean women as a whole generally have a higher social status then other Latin American countries, they are still typically relegated to cooking.