Geography
Area: 756,945 sq. km. (302,778 sq. mi.); nearly twice the size of
California.
Cities: Capital--Santiago (metropolitan area est. 6 million). Other
cities--Concepcion-Talcahuano (840,000), Vina del Mar-Valparaiso
(800,000), Antofagasta (245,000), Temuco (230,000).
Terrain: Desert in north; fertile central valley; volcanoes and lakes
toward the south, giving way to rugged and complex coastline; Andes
Mountains on the eastern border.
Climate: Arid in north, Mediterranean in the central portion, cool and
damp in south.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Chilean(s).
Population (2003): 15.1 million.
Annual population growth rate: 1.2%.
Ethnic groups: Spanish-Native-American (mestizo), European,
Native-American.
Christian singles note-Religions: Roman Catholic 69.9%; Protestant 15%.
Language: Spanish.
Education: Years compulsory--12. Attendance--3 million. Adult
literacy rate--95.8%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--8.9/1,000. Life expectancy--79
yrs.
Work force (6.0 million); employed 5.5 million: Community, social
and individual services--26%; industry--14.4%; commerce--17.6%;
agriculture, forestry, and fishing--13.9%; construction--7.1%;
financial services--7.5%; transportation and
communication--8.0%; electricity, gas and water--0.5%; mining--1.2%.
Government
Type: Republic.
Independence: September 18, 1810.
Constitution: Promulgated September 11, 1980; effective March 11,
1981; amended in 1989, 1993, and 1997.
Branches: Executive--president. Legislative--bicameral
legislature. Judicial--Constitutional Tribunal, Supreme Court,
court of appeals, military courts.
Administrative subdivisions: 12 numbered regions, plus Santiago
metropolitan region, administered by appointed "intendentes,"
regions are divided into provinces, administered by appointed
governors; provinces are divided into municipalities administered by
elected mayors.
Political parties: Major parties are the Christian Democrat Party, the
National Renewal Party, the Party for Democracy, the Socialist Party,
the Independent Democratic Union, and the Radical Social Democratic
Party. The Communist Party has not won a congressional seat in the
last four elections.
Suffrage: Universal at 18, including foreigners legally resident for
more than 5 years.
Economy (2003)
GDP: $72.1 billion.
Annual real growth rate: 3.3%.
Per capita GDP: $4,557.
Forestry, agriculture, and fisheries (5.7% of GDP): Products--wheat,
potatoes, corn, sugar beets, onions, beans, fruits, livestock, fish.
Commerce (10.7% of GDP): Sales, restaurants, hotels.
Manufacturing (15.9% of GDP): Types--mineral refining, metal
manufacturing, food processing, fish processing, paper and wood
products, finished textiles.
Electricity, gas, and water: 2.9% of GDP.
Transportation and communication: 7.8% of GDP.
Construction: 7.8% of GDP.
Financial services (12.6% of GDP): Insurance, leasing, consulting.
Mining (8.0% of GDP): Copper, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, and
molybdenum.
Trade: Exports--$20.44 billion: copper, fishmeal, fruits, wood
products, paper products, fish, wine. Major markets--U.S.
22.6%, EU 23.3%, Japan 11.8%, China 7.7%, Korea 4.9%, Mexico 4%,
Brazil 3.7%. Imports--$17.4 consumer goods, chemicals, motor
vehicles, fuels, electrical machinery, heavy industrial machinery,
food. Major suppliers--EU 17%, Argentina 20.3%, U.S. 13.6%,
Brazil 10.1%, China 6.9%, Korea 2.7%, Japan 2.9 %.
GEOGRAPHY
The northern Chilean desert contains great mineral wealth, primarily
copper and nitrates. The relatively small central area dominates the
country in terms of population and agricultural resources. This area
also is the historical center from which Chile expanded until the late
19th century, when it incorporated its northern and southern regions.
Southern Chile is rich in forests and grazing lands and features a
string of volcanoes and lakes. The southern coast is a labyrinth of
fjords, inlets, canals, twisting peninsulas, and islands. The Andes
Mountains are located on the eastern border.
PEOPLE
Christian singles note-About 85% of Chile's population live in urban
centers, with 40% living in greater Santiago. Most have Spanish
ancestry. A small, yet influential number of Irish and English
immigrants came to Chile during the colonial period. German
immigration began in 1848 and lasted for 90 years; the southern
provinces of Valdivia, Llanquihue, and Osorno show a strong German
influence. Other significant immigrant groups are Italian, Croatian,
French, and Middle Eastern. About 800,000 Native Americans, mostly of
the Mapuche tribe, reside in the south-central area. The Aymaras and
Diaguitas groups can be found mainly in Chile’s northern desert
valleys.
