COUNTRY
The Republic of Chile
CAPITAL
Santiago
SURFACE
Continental and insular surface totals 756,626 km2.
BORDERS
Chile limits to the north with Peru, to the east with Bolivia and Argentina, to the west with the Pacific Ocean and to the south with the South Pole.
POPULATION
15,116,435 inhabitants and its capital, Santiago, has approximately 5,500,000 inhabitants.
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT
Democratic republic
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
The Republic of Chile has a democratic government with 3 powers of state: the Executive power led by the President of the Republic; the Judicial power led by the Supreme Court, and the Legislative power led by the Lower House and the Senate. The former is comprised of 120 deputies representing the 13 regions of the country while the Upper House is comprised of 49 senators.
POLITICAL ADMINISTRATION ORGANIZATION OF CHILE
Chile is comprised of 13 regions, 51 provinces and 335 communities.
The regional, provincial and communal administration system is structured hierarchically: the regional governors, provincial governors and mayors are the authorities in charge of directing them, respectively.
Chile is divided into 13 political regions:
Large North
Spanning regions I and II, Tarapacá and Antofagasta, respectively, this is the driest and most arid area of the country. The main cities are Arica, Iquique and Antofagasta. This area includes San Pedro de Atacama, the Tatio Geysers, dry salt lakes and archeological findings of Andean cultures.
Small North
Atacama Region (III) and Coquimbo Region (IV). This area has many geographical contrasts, from the arid landscapes of the desert to the fertile scenery of the transversal valleys. Its privileged climate makes it ideal for astronomical observation and tourist activities with its transparent skies and warm water beaches. This zone is scattered with astronomical observatories such as La Silla, the European Southern Observatory and Tololo. It is also known for the Elqui Valley and beach resorts.
Center
Valparaíso (V), Liberator General Bernardo O'Higgins (VI), Maule (VII) and the Metropolitan Regions. This area concentrates the administrative, economic and political activity of the country. The favorable climate of this zone is suitable for agricultural activities, where the most traditional vineyards are located as well as the most famous sea resorts in Chile and the best ski centers of South America.
South
Bío-Bío (VIII), Araucanía (IX) and Los Lagos (X) Regions. With its green landscape and rainy climate, the well-known “lake region” is located here. This zone offers a variety of attractions: hot springs, ski centers, adventure tourism, mountain resorts and the traditional rituals and expressions of the mapuche culture, among others.
North Patagonia
Aysén Region (XI). This zone is characterized by small islands with the Isle of Chiloé as its most important. The Austral Highway, Lake Elizalde, the Futaleufú River and the San Rafael Lagoon are all found in this region.
South Patagonia
Magellan and the Chilean Antarctic Region (XII). The furthest-south human settlements can be found in this zone. Fire Land, the Torres del Paine National Park, the Magellan Straight and the furthest-south ski center in the world are some of the many attractions of this region.
CURRENCY
Official currency is the Chilean peso
LANGUAGE
The official language is Spanish although there are some native groups living in the north and south of Chile that still use their original language.
RELIGION
70% of the population practices the Catholic religion even though the State is non-denominational and respects all religions.
TIME ZONE
4 hours behind Greenwich Meridian time (-4 GMT).
ELECTRIC CURRENT
220 volts
COUNTRY TELEPHONE CODE
(56)
PEOPLE
Chilean
INTERNET DOMAIN
.cl
CLIMATE
Just like its territory, Chilean climate varies greatly, which is defined by the latitude, its nearness to the ocean and altitude.
In general terms, two parallel mountain chains run from north to south along the country, known as the Coastal and the Andes mountain chains with a Central Valley in the middle that, further south, in the Corcovado Gulf, sinks into the sea giving way to a zone of archipelagos, peninsulas and fiords which culminate at the end of the continent in Cape Horn.
ECONOMY
Chile has one of the most developed economies of Latin America. The Chilean economy is recognized as one of the most stable in the region; the seriousness of its macroeconomic policies and democratic stability has made it a highly appealing country for investors within Latin America. Chile has an abundance of natural resources: the North is rich in mineral deposits such as copper, iron, and molybdenum, among others; the Central zone thrives on the wine and agricultural industry in general; the South on the forestry and lumber industry as well as the fishing industry, specializing in salmon. However, 40% of the country’s population lives in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago and 10% in Valparaiso meaning economic activity is strongly centralized.
Chile experienced sustained economic growth at an average rate of 7% from mid-1985 up to 1997 when the economy began to decelerate due to the Asian crisis. Nevertheless, the country seems to be on the road to recovery since the GDP for 2004 recorded a growth of 6.1%.
The Chilean economy is internationally recognized for its level of competitiveness (the highest of Latin America), its low levels of corruption and its liberalization.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT in Chile (% Annual Variation)
ECONOMIC FORECASTS
INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS
The international indicators are a reflection of Chile’s success in macroeconomic issues, crowding out the region and approaching the lower level of the industrial world.
» THE ECONOMIST: Chile obtained the best quality of life rating of the region for 2005, placing 31 among 111 countries (First place in Latin America).
» TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL: Chile, the least corrupt and most transparent country in 2004. Positioning at 20th place among 146 countries (First place in Latin America).
» World Economic Forum: Global Competitiveness Report 2004-2005–Index of Competitiveness Growth, 22nd place among 104 countries (First place in Latin America).
» IMD INTERNATIONAL: Annual Book of World Competitiveness 2005. Placed 19th among 60 economies (countries and regions) (first in Latin America).
» UNDP: Human Development Report 2004. Placed 43rd among 177 countries (second place in Latin America after Argentina).
» HERITAGE FOUNDATION: Chile is the most liberal economy in Latin America (2005). Placed 11th among 155 nations (first place in Latin America).
» AméricaEconomía: Santiago de Chile, the best city to do business in Latin America (2004, 2005) for the second consecutive year, consolidating itself as “The Business Capital” of Latin America.
» STANDARD & POOR’S Report: Chile is the highest qualified country in Latin America for investments, 2005 (first place in Latin America).
ART
Chile is the cradle of many great poets and writers, among them Nobel Prize winners Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral, as well as Vicente Huidobro, Gonzalo Rojas, Isabel Allende, Jorge Edwards and Eduardo Barrios, among others.
Roberto Matta, Nemesio Antúnez, Virginio Arias and Marta Colvin, among others, stand out in painting and sculpture.
Figurres such as Violeta Parra, Claudio Arrau and Roberto Bravo are important musical talents.
FLORA AND FAUNA
The ocean, the desert and the mountains make Chile home to an extraordinary environment that thrives on its own, creating a countless number of endemic species.
On the northern coastline, hardly any vegetation exists except for the large variety of cactus that can reach heights of up to 5 meters. In the small north and central zones, vegetation increases as the climate becomes more favorable with mainly broad-leaved species of hardwood trees and bushes.
 
The copihue is the national flower.
Chile’s highly varied land and marine fauna includes, according to studies, 462 species of birds (representing 6% of the world’s diversity), 141 mammals, 83 reptiles, 40 amphibians and 114 species of fish, native to the continental and ocean waters.
But Chilean fauna is not limited to the steep landscape of the Andes, the dryness of the desert or the leafiness of the forests in the south and the Patagonia. Its long western coastline boasts a rich variety of species that includes sea lions, seals, dolphins and otters and even colossal whales in the cold austral waters.
HOLIDAYS
|
