Title: Astronomy in Chile

Abstract:

Chile has witnessed a dramatic development in Astronomy over the last few decades, and in the near future the country will host the largest fraction of telescopes in the world. The huge investment of resources by international observatories to operate their facilities in the country has boosted the national community. Old astronomical institutions have grown enormously and new ones have been created. The last ten years have seen new efforts to develop the capability to design and build astronomical instrumentation in Chilean universities. The country has become aware of the enormous potential its skies have to offer.

In this talk I will give a review of the facilities operating in Chile, the new projects to come, and their ambitious scientific goals. I will show how Chile has responded to this amazing challenge and opportunity.