Culture Shock! Chile - A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette

First Impressions 9

For an introduction to Chilean society, fi nd a comfortable bench in a park
and watch families interact.

city depends upon international trade, fishing and tourism,
and is a major supplier of fishmeal, used for animal feed.

Iquique

Iquique, once the centre of the saltpeter (nitrate) industry, is
now famous for its Duty Free Zone (ZOFRI), serving Chile and
bordering countries. Within ZOFRI goods are exempt from
import duties and value added tax (IVA) as long as purchases
are clearly for personal consumption.
Iquique is Chile’s main fishing port. Most of the catch
is used to produce fish oil and fishmeal. Other important
industries are manufacturing, agriculture and mining.
Unfortunately, crime in this port city is a serious issue.