by A gardening girl in Santiago asks about the Santa Claus melon, the Atacama Desert, and why countries trade food
A Letter to Santa from Santiago, Chile
Dear Santa,
Hola Santa! My name is Valentina and I am 8 years old. I live in Santiago, in Chile, a long, skinny country squeezed between the mountains and the sea. I love gardening and eating fresh fruit. I heard something funny and I have to ask: what is a Santa Claus melon? Is it really named after you? My geography question is: what is the Atacama Desert? And my social studies question is: why do countries trade food with each other? Gracias, Santa!
Love, Valentina (age 8)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hola Valentina! What a delicious question. Yes, the Santa Claus melon is real, and I am quite honored to share my name with it. It is an oval melon, sometimes called a Christmas melon, with a tough rind that helps it stay fresh for a very long time, even all the way until Christmas. That is exactly how it earned its jolly name. Inside it is pale green and sweet. A girl who loves gardening like you could even try growing one someday. I do enjoy lending my name to such a tasty treat.
Your geography question: the Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert, in the north of your own Chile, is the driest place in the whole world. In some parts of it, no rain has fallen for many, many years. The skies there are so clear that scientists build giant telescopes to study the stars from the desert. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: why countries trade food
Countries trade food because no single place can grow everything. Your own Chile grows wonderful fruit and sends it all over the world, even arriving on tables far away during their winter. In return, Chile buys things it does not make as easily. Trade lets people everywhere enjoy a richer, tastier variety of foods. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Plant something lovely for me, Valentina. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
