Crossing the Andes from Argentina to Chile is an experience. We get a glimpse of the highest mountain in South America, and spend two hours at a border post at 3500 meters above sea level. Every person's luggage is thoroughly searched - not for drugs, but for fruit and cheese! Smuggling of fruit or dairy products carries a fine of up to 22,000 USD.
The reason soon becomes clear: We descend from the barren Andes and enter lush green vegetation: many trees and almost every imaginable fruit is being farmed here. Chile is an agricultural production giant. The thorough search at the border keeps fruit diseases out. According to one Chilean, Chile is an island free of agricultural pests, while the rest of the continent is full of disease (especially the neighbouring countries).
The reason soon becomes clear: We descend from the barren Andes and enter lush green vegetation: many trees and almost every imaginable fruit is being farmed here. Chile is an agricultural production giant. The thorough search at the border keeps fruit diseases out. According to one Chilean, Chile is an island free of agricultural pests, while the rest of the continent is full of disease (especially the neighbouring countries).
No comments:
Post a Comment