Valparaíso is the principal port and second largest city of Chile. The city is situated on the shores of a sweeping bay and on a crescent of hills behind. Seen from the ocean, it presents a majestic panorama; a great circle of hills is backed by the snow-capped peaks of the distant Cordillera. Due to Valparaiso’s convenient location along the shipping routes circling Cape Horn, the port experienced a tremendous boost when the ports and the Americas were opened to world trade.