Google streetview in Santiago, Chile

[Stephane Dumas]

Google streetview added Santiago, Chile. Here a random view http://goo.gl/maps/d3jJv

[The High Plains Traveler]

A few observations from random looks at the freeway and arterial system:
- No use of route numbers in the city core
- Blue signage on freeways, with green signage for exits to and on surface streets
- Regional destinations, such as "Al Oriente" and "Al Sur" (to the east, to the south). This is reminiscent of the discussion on control regions from England.

Lots more to be gleaned, I'm sure.

[kphoger]

Not just Santiago, but also Valparaíso, Concepción, and the highways in between.  Thank you for posting this!

[huskeroadgeek]

In addition to part of Chile, they've also added extensive coverage of Andorra and Croatia in their most recent update.

[StogieGuy7]

A few observations from random looks at the freeway and arterial system:
- No use of route numbers in the city core
- Blue signage on freeways, with green signage for exits to and on surface streets
- Regional destinations, such as "Al Oriente" and "Al Sur" (to the east, to the south). This is reminiscent of the discussion on control regions from England.

Lots more to be gleaned, I'm sure.

The Chilean toll highways between cities are relatively new and are very nice.  Chile happens to be the most economically successful nation in all of Latin America and it's infrastructure is pretty good overall. 

[Transportfan]

The've finally got around to covering more of South America than just Brazil.

[kphoger]

Oh, how will people ever navigate! 

[The High Plains Traveler]

Oh, how will people ever navigate! 

But I want to go al oeste!

[NE2]

Oh, how will people ever navigate! 

But I want to go al oeste!

You're too old for that.

[Takumi]

Otras Ciudades de Desierto

[kphoger]

Otras Ciudades de Desierto

Is that what OCD is?

[Alps]

Oh, how will people ever navigate! 

But there IS no US 152!

[The High Plains Traveler]

Oh, how will people ever navigate! 

But I want to go al oeste!

You're too old for that.

No, I saw an ad on TV. There's a pill.

[kphoger]

Check out the difference in the exit tabs here. 

[Desert Man]

I used to have a high school research paper on Chile, the "economic miracle" of South America which survived the Pinochet military regime in the 1970s and 80s through a coup involving air force jets bombing the capital replaced the first Marxist elected to any nation's presidency, Allende who was found dead in the rumble. Chile reminds me of the US west coast turned upside down including Patagonia, and isn't any tropical enough like most of Latin America except for most of Argentina and Uruguay, also these 3 nations have a high European cultural imprint (Chile is reportedly 50-65% mestizo/part-indigenous).

Anyway on topic: Looks good to view even more places in the world on google streetview!   

[StogieGuy7]

I used to have a high school research paper on Chile, the "economic miracle" of South America which survived the Pinochet military regime in the 1970s and 80s through a coup involving air force jets bombing the capital replaced the first Marxist elected to any nation's presidency, Allende who was found dead in the rumble. Chile reminds me of the US west coast turned upside down including Patagonia, and isn't any tropical enough like most of Latin America except for most of Argentina and Uruguay, also these 3 nations have a high European cultural imprint (Chile is reportedly 50-65% mestizo/part-indigenous).

Just a quick note on this from someone who's been to Chile a few times (and who paid rapt attention as old timers recited recent Chilean history).  For all his faults, Pinochet was the ultimate reason for what became the Chilean "economic miracle".  He called in renowned economists from the U.S. and Europe to consult on how to restructure the economy into a "U.S.-style" capitalist system.   So the economic miracle didn't 'survive' Pinochet, it exists because he made it possible.  See Argentina as to what happens when a dictator doesn't do what Pinochet did. 

About Allende, it's now en vogue to talk about how he was such a great guy who was unfairly victimized.  But, history shows that his regime became corrupt and started nationalizing various key industries.  When they started rationing bread (with his supporters getting the most coupons), the writing was on the wall.  Ultimately, he committed suicide.   A lot of people were relieved when his rule ended. 

I am not sure about the fighter jets bombing Santiago; you may be thinking of one of Venezuela's coups in the 70s.  But, when Pinochet took over, martial law was declared and there was a full curfew that lasted 2 or 3 days.  I got that part from a guy who worked in the copper industry when it happened.  Allende had armed guards watching over the place until the coup, then they fled.  The radio gave everyone one hour to go home and stay there, then the shooting started.   Or so I was told.

Don't get me wrong, Pinochet wasn't a nice guy.  To this day, large factions in Chile argue over whether he was great or horrible.  But, his legacy also includes a fantastic economy and a police force (the Carabineros) who are honest beyond reproach.   I know it's way OT, but I felt it was worth adding the perspective.   Chile is one of my favorite countries to visit; a wonderful place!

[agentsteel53]

Just a quick note on this from someone who's been to Chile a few times (and who paid rapt attention as old timers recited recent Chilean history).  For all his faults, Pinochet was the ultimate reason for what became the Chilean "economic miracle".  He called in renowned economists from the U.S. and Europe to consult on how to restructure the economy into a "U.S.-style" capitalist system.   So the economic miracle didn't 'survive' Pinochet, it exists because he made it possible.  See Argentina as to what happens when a dictator doesn't do what Pinochet did. 

interesting.  I'll be visiting both countries in less than a month; looking forward to it for sure.

[realjd]

Just a quick note on this from someone who's been to Chile a few times (and who paid rapt attention as old timers recited recent Chilean history).  For all his faults, Pinochet was the ultimate reason for what became the Chilean "economic miracle".  He called in renowned economists from the U.S. and Europe to consult on how to restructure the economy into a "U.S.-style" capitalist system.   So the economic miracle didn't 'survive' Pinochet, it exists because he made it possible.  See Argentina as to what happens when a dictator doesn't do what Pinochet did. 

interesting.  I'll be visiting both countries in less than a month; looking forward to it for sure.

Am I to assume you'll be taking pictures? Chile is #1 on my list of South American countries to visit, although I may not make it there before going to the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil.