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Background:
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Prior to
the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern
Chile was under Inca rule while Araucanian Indians
inhabited central and southern Chile; the latter were
not completely subjugated until the early 1880s.
Although Chile declared its independence in 1810,
decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until
1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-84), Chile
defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern
lands. A three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador
ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a dictatorial military
regime 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 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. |
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Location:
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Southern
South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean,
between Argentina and Peru |
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Geographic coordinates:
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30 00 S,
71 00 W |
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Map references:
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South
America |
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Area:
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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 |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly
smaller than twice the size of Montana |
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Land boundaries:
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total:
6,171 km
border countries: Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861
km, Peru 160 km |
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Coastline:
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6,435 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200/350 nm |
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Climate:
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temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central
region; cool and damp in south |
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Terrain:
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low
coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes
in east |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest
point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m
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Natural resources:
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copper,
timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum,
hydropower |
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Land use:
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arable
land: 2.65%
permanent crops: 0.42%
other: 96.93% (2001) |
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Irrigated land:
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18,000 sq
km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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severe
earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis |
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Environment - current issues:
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widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural
resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle
emissions; water pollution from raw sewage |
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Environment - international agreements:
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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 |
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Geography - note:
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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 |
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Population:
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15,980,912 (July 2005 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14
years: 25.2% (male 2,062,735/female 1,970,913)
15-64 years: 66.7% (male 5,320,870/female
5,342,771)
65 years and over: 8% (male 534,737/female
748,886) (2005 est.) |
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Median age:
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total:
30.07 years
male: 29.17 years
female: 31.05 years (2005 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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0.97%
(2005 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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15.44
births/1,000 population (2005 est.) |
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Death rate:
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5.76
deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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0
migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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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: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total:
8.8 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 9.55 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total
population: 76.58 years
male: 73.3 years
female: 80.03 years (2005 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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2.02
children born/woman (2005 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.3%
(2003 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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26,000
(2003 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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1,400
(2003 est.) |
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Nationality:
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noun:
Chilean(s)
adjective: Chilean |
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Ethnic groups:
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white and
white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2% |
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Religions:
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Roman
Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL% |
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Languages:
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Spanish
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.2%
male: 96.4%
female: 96.1% (2003 est.) |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of Chile
conventional short form: Chile
local long form: Republica de Chile
local short form: Chile |
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Government type:
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republic
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Capital:
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Santiago
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Administrative divisions:
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13
regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General
Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama,
Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo
O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica
Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago),
Tarapaca, Valparaiso
note: the US does not recognize claims to
Antarctica |
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Independence:
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18
September 1810 (from Spain) |
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 18 September (1810) |
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Constitution:
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11
September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30 July
1989, 1993, and 1997 |
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Legal system:
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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: Chile is in the process of completely
overhauling its criminal justice system; a new, US-style
adversarial system is being gradually implemented
throughout the country with the final stage of
implementation in the Santiago metropolitan region
expected in June 2005 |
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Suffrage:
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18 years
of age; universal and compulsory |
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Executive branch:
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chief
of state: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11
March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of
state and head of government
head of government: President Ricardo LAGOS
Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is
both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for
a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1999,
with runoff election held 16 January 2000 (next to be
held December 2005)
election results: Ricardo LAGOS Escobar elected
president; percent of vote - Ricardo LAGOS Escobar
51.32%, Joaquin LAVIN 48.68% |
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral
National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the
Senate or Senado (48 seats, 38 elected by popular vote,
9 designated members, and 1 former president who has
served a full six-year term and is senator for life);
elected members 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 16 December 2001
(next to be held December 2005); Chamber of Deputies -
last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held December
2005)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by
party - NA%; seats by party - CPD 20 (PDC 12, PS 5, PPD
3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7), independents 2; Chamber of
Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - CPD 62 (PDC 24, PPD 21, PS 11, PRSD 6), UDI 35,
RN 22, independent 1 |
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Judicial branch:
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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 by the 21-member court);
Constitutional Tribunal |
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Political parties and leaders:
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Alliance
for Chile ("Alianza") or APC (including National Renewal
or RN [Sebastian PINERA] and Independent Democratic
Union or UDI [Pablo LONGUEIRA]); Coalition of Parties
for Democracy ("Concertacion") or CPD (including
Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Adolfo ZALDIVAR],
Socialist Party or PS [Gonzalo MARTNER], Party for
Democracy or PPD [Victor BARRUETO], Radical Social
Democratic Party or PRSD [Orlando CANTUARIAS]);
Communist Party or PC [Gladys MARIN] |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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revitalized university student federations at all major
universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor
Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the
country's five largest labor confederations |
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International organization participation:
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APEC, BIS,
CSN, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt
(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA,
Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL,
OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK,
UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTO |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief
of mission: Ambassador Andres BIANCHI
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,
and San Juan (Puerto Rico) |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief
of mission: Ambassador Craig A. KELLY
embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes,
Santiago
mailing address: APO AA 34033
telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600
FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710 |
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Flag description:
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two equal
horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is 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 stands for
the blood spilled to achieve independence; design was
influenced by the US flag |
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Economy - overview:
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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.
By the end of 1999, exports and economic activity had
begun to recover, and growth rebounded to 4.2% in 2000.
Growth fell back to 3.1% in 2001 and 2.1% in 2002,
largely due to lackluster global growth and the
devaluation of the Argentine peso. Chile's economy began
a slow recovery in 2003, growing 3.2% and accelerated to
5.8% in 2004. GDP growth benefited from high copper
prices, solid export earnings (particularly forestry,
fishing, and mining), and stepped-up foreign direct
investment. Unemployment, however, remains stubbornly
high. 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. |
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$169.1
billion (2004 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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5.8%
(2004 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $10,700 (2004 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 6.3%
industry: 38.2%
services: 55.5% (2004 est.) |
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Labor force:
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6.2
million (2004 est.) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 13.6%, industry 23.4%, services 63% (2003)
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Unemployment rate:
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8.5%
(2004 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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20.6%
(2000) |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest
10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 47% (2000) |
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Distribution of family income - Gini index:
|
57.1
(2000) |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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2.4%
(2004 est.) |
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Investment (gross fixed):
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23.9% of
GDP (2004 est.) |
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Budget:
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revenues: $21.53 billion
expenditures: $19.95 billion, including capital
expenditures of $3.33 billion (2004 est.) |
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Public debt:
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12.8% of
GDP (2004 est.) |
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Agriculture - products:
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grapes,
apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches,
garlic, asparagus, beans, beef, poultry, wool; fish;
timber |
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Industries:
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copper,
other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and
steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment,
cement, textiles |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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7.8%
(2004 est.) |
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Electricity - production:
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48.6
billion kWh (2004) |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil
fuel: 47%
hydro: 51.5%
nuclear: 0%
other: 1.4% (2001) |
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Electricity - consumption:
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41.8
billion kWh (2002) |
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Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh
(2002) |
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Electricity - imports:
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1.813
billion kWh (2002) |
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Oil - production:
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18,500
bbl/day (2003 est.) |
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Oil - consumption:
|
240,000
bbl/day (2003 est.) |
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Oil - exports:
|
0 bbl/day
(2003) |
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Oil - imports:
|
221,500
bbl/day (2003 est.) |
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Oil - proved reserves:
|
150
million bbl (1 January 2004) |
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Natural gas - production:
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1.18
billion cu m (2002 est.) |
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Natural gas - consumption:
|
6.517
billion cu m (2002 est.) |
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Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m
(2002) |
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Natural gas - imports:
|
5.337
billion cu m (2002 est.) |
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
|
99.05
billion cu m (1 January 2004) |
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Current account balance:
|
$2.185
billion (2004 est.) |
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Exports:
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$29.2
billion f.o.b. (2004 est.) |
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Exports - commodities:
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copper,
fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine
|
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Exports - partners:
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US 14%,
Japan 11.4%, China 9.9%, South Korea 5.5%, Netherlands
5.1%, Brazil 4.3%, Italy 4.1%, Mexico 4% (2004) |
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Imports:
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$22.53
billion f.o.b. (2004 est.) |
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Imports - commodities:
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petroleum
and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and
telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery,
vehicles, natural gas |
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Imports - partners:
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Argentina
17%, US 14%, Brazil 11.2%, China 7.4% (2004) |
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Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
|
$16.02
billion (2004) |
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Debt - external:
|
$44.6
billion (2004 est.) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
|
ODA, $0
(2002) |
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Currency (code):
|
Chilean
peso (CLP) |
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Currency code:
|
CLP |
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Exchange rates:
|
Chilean
pesos per US dollar - 609.37 (2004), 691.43 (2003),
688.94 (2002), 634.94 (2001), 539.59 (2000) |
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Fiscal year:
|
calendar
year |
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Telephones - main lines in use:
|
3.467
million (2002) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
|
6,445,700
(2002) |
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Telephone system:
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general assessment: modern system based on extensive
microwave radio relay facilities
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links;
domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations
international: country code - 56; satellite earth
stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 180
(eight inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (one inactive)
(1998) |
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Radios:
|
5.18
million (1997) |
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Television broadcast stations:
|
63 (plus
121 repeaters) (1997) |
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Televisions:
|
3.15
million (1997) |
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Internet country code:
|
.cl |
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Internet hosts:
|
202,429
(2003) |
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Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
|
7 (2000)
|
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Internet users:
|
3.575
million (2002) |
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Railways:
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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 (2004) |
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Highways:
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total:
79,605 km
paved: 16,080 km (including 407 km of
expressways)
unpaved: 63,525 km (2001) |
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Pipelines:
|
gas 2,583
km; gas/lpg 42 km; liquid petroleum gas 539 km; oil
1,003 km; refined products 757 km (2004) |
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Ports and harbors:
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Antofagasta, Arica, Huasco, Iquique, Lirquen, San
Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso |
|
Merchant marine:
|
total:
47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 725,216 GRT/954,519 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 10, cargo 6, chemical
tanker 9, container 1, liquefied gas 3, passenger 3,
passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off
1, vehicle carrier 4
registered in other countries: 21 (2005) |
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Airports:
|
364 (2004
est.) |
|
Airports - with paved runways:
|
total:
71
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 21
914 to 1,523 m: 23
under 914 m: 15 (2004 est.) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
|
total:
293
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 60
under 914 m: 217 (2004 est.) |
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Military branches:
|
Army of
the Nation, National Navy (includes naval air, Coast
Guard, and Marine Corps), Chilean Air Force, Chilean
Carabineros (National Police) |
|
Military service age and obligation:
|
18 years
of age for compulsory military service; all citizens
18-45 are obligated to perform military service;
conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24
months for Navy and Air Force (2004) |
|
Manpower available for military service:
|
males
age 18-49: 3,815,761 (2005 est.) |
|
Manpower fit for military service:
|
males
age 18-49: 3,123,281 (2005 est.) |
|
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
|
males:
140,084 (2005 est.) |
|
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
|
$3.42
billion (2004) |
|
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
|
3.8%
(2004) |
|
Disputes - international:
|
Chile
rebuffs Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the
Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, offering
instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access
through Chile to Bolivian gas and other commodities;
Peru proposes changing its latitudinal maritime boundary
with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern
axis; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic
Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British
claims |
|
Illicit drugs:
|
important
transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe
and the US; 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 new anti-money-laundering law
improves controls; imported precursors passed on to
Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising |
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This page was last updated on
20 October, 2005 |
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