Chile

source : World Fact Book 2008 (October 2008)

SEE UPDATED INFORMATION HERE

   Introduction    Chile
Background:
Definition Field Listing Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while Araucanian Indians (also known as Mapuches) inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions. It was not until the 1880s that the Araucanian Indians were completely subjugated. A three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, have contributed to steady growth, reduced poverty rates by over half, and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.
   Geography    Chile
Location:
Definition Field Listing Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing 30 00 S, 71 00 W
Map references:
Definition Field Listing South America
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total: 756,950 sq km
land: 748,800 sq km
water: 8,150 sq km
note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing total: 6,339 km
border countries: Argentina 5,308 km, Bolivia 860 km, Peru 171 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing 6,435 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200/350 nm
Climate:
Definition Field Listing temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower
Land use:
Definition Field Listing arable land: 2.62%
permanent crops: 0.43%
other: 96.95% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing 19,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Definition Field Listing 922 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Definition Field Listing total: 12.55 cu km/yr (11%/25%/64%)
per capita: 770 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions
   People    Chile
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 16,454,143 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing 0-14 years: 23.6% (male 1,987,962/female 1,899,489)
15-64 years: 67.6% (male 5,556,867/female 5,563,666)
65 years and over: 8.8% (male 602,789/female 843,370) (2008 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing total: 31.1 years
male: 30.1 years
female: 32.1 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing 0.905% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 14.82 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 5.77 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order NA (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 8.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total population: 77.15 years
male: 73.88 years
female: 80.59 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 1.95 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 0.3% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 26,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 1,400 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing noun: Chilean(s)
adjective: Chilean
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing white and white-Amerindian 95.4%, Mapuche 4%, other indigenous groups 0.6% (2002 census)
Religions:
Definition Field Listing Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3% (2002 census)
Languages:
Definition Field Listing Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 95.7%
male: 95.8%
female: 95.6% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Definition Field Listing total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 3.2% of GDP (2006)
   Government    Chile
Country name:
Definition Field Listing conventional long form: Republic of Chile
conventional short form: Chile
local long form: Republica de Chile
local short form: Chile
Government type:
Definition Field Listing republic
Capital:
Definition Field Listing name: Santiago
geographic coordinates: 33 27 S, 70 40 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing 15 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Arica y Parinacota, Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Los Rios, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso
note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence:
Definition Field Listing 18 September 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 1989, 1991, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2005
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; note - in June 2005, Chile completed overhaul of its criminal justice system to a new, US-style adversarial system
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing chief of state: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2006)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 11 December 2005, with runoff election held 15 January 2006 (next to be held in December 2009)
election results: Michelle BACHELET Jeria elected president; percent of vote - Michelle BACHELET Jeria 53.5%; Sebastian PINERA Echenique 46.5%
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (38 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve eight-year terms; one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 20 (PDC 6, PS 8, PPD 3, PRSD 3), APC 17 (UDI 9, RN 8), independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 65 (PDC 21, PPD 22, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 54 (UDI 34, RN 20), independent 1; note - as of 8 January 2008: Senate - seats by party - CPD 18, (PDC 5, PS 8, PPD 2, PRSD 3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7), independent 4; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - CPD 57 (PDC 16, PPD 19, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 53 (UDI 33, RN 20), independent 10.
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected every three years by the 20-member court); Constitutional Tribunal
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing Alliance for Chile (Alianza) or APC (including National Renewal or RN [Carlos LARRAIN Pena] and Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Hernan LARRAIN Fernandez]); Coalition of Parties for Democracy (Concertacion) or CPD (including Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Soledad ALVEAR], Socialist Party or PS [Camilo ESCALONA Medina], Party for Democracy or PPD [Sergio BITAR Chacra], Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Jose Antonio GOMEZ Urrutia]); Communist Party or PC [Guillermo TEILLIER]; Humanist Party [Marilen CABRERA Olmos]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations
other: revitalized university student federations at all major universities
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing APEC, BIS, CAN (associate), FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing chief of mission: Ambassador Mariano FERNANDEZ
chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746
FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing chief of mission: Ambassador Paul E. SIMONS
embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago
mailing address: APO AA 34033
telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600
FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710, 330-3160
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence
note: design was influenced by the US flag
   Economy    Chile
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Between 2000 and 2007 growth ranged between 2%-6%. Throughout these years Chile maintained a low rate of inflation with GDP growth coming from high copper prices, solid export earnings (particularly forestry, fishing, and mining), and growing domestic consumption. President BACHELET in 2006 established an Economic and Social Stabilization Fund to hold excess copper revenues so that social spending can be maintained during periods of copper shortfalls. This fund probably surpassed $20 billion at the end of 2007. Chile continues to attract foreign direct investment, but most foreign investment goes into gas, water, electricity and mining. Unemployment has exhibited a downward trend over the past two years, dropping to 7.8% and 7.0% at the end of 2006 and 2007, respectively. Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took effect on 1 January 2004. Chile claims to have more bilateral or regional trade agreements than any other country. It has 57 such agreements (not all of them full free trade agreements), including with the European Union, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $232.8 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing $163.8 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 5.1% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $14,300 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing agriculture: 4.8%
industry: 51.2%
services: 44% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 7.167 million (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing agriculture: 13.6%
industry: 23.4%
services: 63% (2003)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 7% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing 18.2% (2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing lowest 10%: 1.4%
highest 10%: 45% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Definition Field Listing 54.9 (2003)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 4.4% (2007 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 20.6% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing revenues: $44.96 billion
expenditures: $30.51 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 4.1% of GDP (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber
Industries:
Definition Field Listing copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 11.1% (2007 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 47.6 billion kWh (2006)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 48.31 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing 2.152 billion kWh (2005)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 15,100 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 238,000 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 31,510 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 222,900 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 150 million bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 1.957 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 8.191 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 6.234 billion cu m (2005)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 93.97 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $7.2 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $67.64 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing China 14.8%, US 12.5%, Japan 10.5%, Netherlands 5.8%, South Korea 5.7%, Italy 5.1%, Brazil 5% (2007)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $43.99 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing US 16.7%, China 11.2%, Brazil 10.3%, Argentina 9.9% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing $0 (2006)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $16.84 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $57.6 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $91.49 billion (2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $24.68 billion (2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $174.6 billion (2006)
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing Chilean peso (CLP)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing Chilean pesos per US dollar - 526.25 (2007), 530.29 (2006), 560.09 (2005), 609.37 (2004), 691.43 (2003)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing calendar year
   Communications    Chile
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 3.379 million (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 13.955 million (2007)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing general assessment: privatization begun in 1988; most advanced telecommunications infrastructure in South America; modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities; fixed-line connections have dropped in recent years as mobile-cellular usage continues to increase, reaching a level of 85 telephones per 100 persons
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations
international: country code - 56; submarine cables provide links to the US and to Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing AM 180 (8 inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (1 inactive) (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing 63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing .cl
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 745,375 (2007)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 5.57 million (2007)
   Transportation    Chile
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 358 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing total: 79
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 22
914 to 1,523 m: 25
under 914 m: 19 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing total: 279
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 49
under 914 m: 216 (2007)
Pipelines:
Definition Field Listing gas 2,550 km; gas/liquid petroleum gas 42 km; liquid petroleum gas 539 km; oil 1,002 km; refined products 757 km; unknown (oil/water) 97 km (2007)
Railways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total: 6,585 km
broad gauge: 2,831 km 1.676-m gauge (1,317 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 3,754 km 1.000-m gauge (2006)
Roadways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total: 80,505 km
paved: 16,745 km (includes 2,414 km of expressways)
unpaved: 63,760 km (2004)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total: 45 ships (1000 GRT or over) 604,499 GRT/812,133 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 7, chemical tanker 9, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 3
registered in other countries: 38 (Argentina 7, Brazil 1, Isle of Man 6, Marshall Islands 4, Norway 2, Panama 11, Singapore 6, Venezuela 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field Listing Coronel, Huasco, Lirquen, Puerto Ventanas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso
   Military    Chile
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing Army of the Nation, Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes naval air, marine corps, and Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh), Carabineros Corps (Cuerpo de Carabineros) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing 18-45 years of age for voluntary male and female military service, although the right to compulsory recruitment is retained; service obligation - 12 months for Army, 22 months for Navy and Air Force (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing males age 16-49: 4,242,912
females age 16-49: 4,182,509 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing males age 16-49: 3,542,448
females age 16-49: 3,500,059 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Definition Field Listing male: 147,518
female: 141,139 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 2.7% of GDP (2006)
   Transnational Issues    Chile
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reinvigorated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile has offered instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile to Bolivian gas and other commodities; Chile rejects Peru's unilateral legislation to change its latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis favoring Peru, in October 2007, Peru took its maritime complaint with Chile to the ICJ; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001, has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur)
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field Listing transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the region; economic prosperity and increasing trade have made Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone, but a recent anti-money-laundering law improves controls; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant consumer of cocaine



Students of the World => Countries of the World => Chile
Home About us Penpals for students Countries of the World Schools of the World Games Blogs Clubs Forums Links

Countries of the World - Detailed information about Chile - https://StudentsoftheWorld.info
Source : CIA's World Fact Book 2008

Since 2003, January 19