Chile World Geography South America
Chile Location Continent: South America Borders the Pacific Ocean
Chile Overview Population: 17,789,267 (July 2017 est.) World Rank: 65 th
Chile Overview Capital and largest city: Santiago 90% of the population is located in the middle third of the country around Santiago The far north and the far south are sparsely populated
Chile Flag
Chile Geography Chile occupies a long, narrow strip of land between the Andes Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west Chile stretches over 2,670 mi (4,300 km) north to south, but only 217 mi (350 km) at its widest point east to west
Chile Geography Chile Borders: Argentina Bolivia Peru Chile is among the longest north-south countries in the world
Chile has a variety of climates and landscapes Climate: Desert in the north Mediterranean in the central region Cool and damp in the south Chile Geography
Peru Geography The Andes Mountains are in eastern Chile and divide Chile and Argentina
Chile Geography Nevado Ojos del Salado Stratovolcano on the Argentina-Chile border 22,615 ft (6,893 m) Highest mountain in Chile and second highest mountain in South America Highest active volcano in the world
Chile Geography Atacama Desert Located in northern Chile Driest non-polar desert in the world Located between the Andes Mountains and the Chilean Coast Range, which block moisture and precipitation
Argentina Geography Patagonia is a sparsely populated region located at the southern end of South America, shared by Chile and Argentina The region contains the southern Andes as well as deserts, steppes, and grasslands
Argentina Geography Tierra del Fuego (Spanish for "Land of Fire") is an archipelago off the southernmost tip of the South American mainland, across the Strait of Magellan Tierra del Fuego is also divided between Chile and Argentina
Chile History About 10,000 years ago, Native Americans settled in the coastal areas of present-day Chile The Inca attempted several times to extend their empire into present-day Chile, but the indigenous Mapuche successfully resisted
Chile History While attempting to circumnavigate the globe in 1520, Ferdinand Magellan discovered the southern passage now named after him, the Strait of Magellan Ferdinand Magellan
Chile History Spanish conquistadors came from Peru in 1535 seeking gold The present-day capital of Santiago was founded by the Spanish in 1541 Pedro de Valdivia, founder of Santiago
Chile History While the Spanish did not find gold or silver, they recognized Chile s central valley had agricultural potential and made it a part of the Spanish Empire The Spanish Empire in the Americas at its greatest extent in 1783
Chile History Chile was geographically isolated by: The Andes Mountains to the east The Pacific Ocean to the west Deserts to the north The Mapuche to the south Chile would become one of the most homogeneous colonies in Spanish America
Chile History Depiction of the first Junta A drive by Chile for independence began following Napoleon s occupation of Spain during the Peninsular War A junta (a military or political group that rules a country after taking power by force) was formed on September 18 th, 1810
Chile History Spanish attempts to reclaim power in Chile would become known as the Reconquista Fighting continued until 1817, when Bernardo O'Higgins and José de San Martín led an army into Chile and defeated the royalists Bernardo O Higgins
Chile History Chile was proclaimed an independent republic on February 12 th, 1818 Independence brought little social change however Wealthy landowners remained powerful
Chile History The Chilean Civil War was fought in 1891 between forces loyal to the president and forces loyal to Congress Following the war, Chile established a parliamentary style democracy Rebel fleet attacking Valparaiso during the Chilean Civil War
Chile History In 1970, Senator Salvador Allende of the Socialist Party of Chile was elected president Industrial output increased and unemployment fell during Allende s first year as president Salvador Allende
Chile History Salvador Allende Allende planned for Chile to take over the nation s copper industry as well as several U.S. corporations U.S. President Richard Nixon, afraid that socialist Chile could become another Cuba, supported Allende s opponents
Chile History A military coup overthrew Allende in 1973, with assistance from the United States General Augusto Pinochet took control of the country Pinochet would persecute his political critics Augusto Pinochet
Chile History Pinochet would remain president until 1990 In 1998, Pinochet was arrested for human rights violations He would die while under house arrest in 2006 Following the restoration of democracy, the Chilean economy has prospered
Chile History On February 27 th, 2010, Chile was struck by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake, the fifth largest earthquake ever recorded Over one million people lost their homes Also in 2010, Chile received international recognition following the successful rescue of 33 trapped miners Damage from the 2010 earthquake Chilean mine rescue efforts
Chile Government Form of government: presidential republic Legislative body: National Congress of Chile
Chile Government Chief of state and head of government: Michelle Bachelet (2017) President Bachelet was previously president from 2006 to 2010, becoming the first woman elected president of Chile
Chile - Government Chile is divided into 15 regions
Chile Economy GDP per capita: $24,100 (2016 est.) World rank: 80 th Currency: Chilean peso Chilean pesos
Chile Economy Copper is Chile s top export and provides 20% of government revenue Iron, steel, wood products, and fish are also important industries Pictured is Chuquicamata, the largest open-pit copper mine in the world, located in the north of Chile
Chile Economy Today, Chile is one of South America's most stable and prosperous nations, with a highincome economy and high living standards
Chile Culture Throughout Chile s colonial period, its culture was dominated by the Spanish Other European influences, primarily English, French, and German, began in the 19th century and have continued to this day
Chile Culture Official language: Spanish Religions: 67% Roman Catholic 16% Evangelical/Protestant 10% None
Chile Culture Chileans call their country país de poetas meaning country of poets Chile's most famous poet is Pablo Neruda, who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971 Pablo Neruda
Chile - Culture Chilean cuisine reflects the country s varied landscape Common foods include seafood, beef, fruits, and vegetables Asado is a traditional way of preparing food and a traditional event, similar to a barbeque Cazuela, a mid-thick flavored stock obtained from cooking several kinds of meats and vegetables mixed together, is another popular Chilean dish Steaks Cazuela
Chile Culture Football (soccer) is Chile s most popular sport Chile has appeared in nine FIFA World Cups Chile hosted and finished third in the 1962 FIFA World Cup Rodeo is the country's national sport and is practiced in the more rural areas of the nation.
Chile Interesting Info Salar de Talar Salt flat located in the northern Chilean Andes Part of a series of salt lakes and salt flats located at the foothills of a chain of volcanoes
Chile Interesting Info Mano de Desierto Large scale sculpture of a hand located in the Atacama Desert 36 ft. (11 m) tall Constructed by Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrázabal and completed in 1992
Chile Interesting Info Marble Caves Created by Erosion of marble cliffs in an arm of Lake General Carrera
Chile Interesting Info Easter Island Chilean Island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean Famous for its 887 monumental statues called moai, which were created by the early Rapa Nui people One of the most remote islands in the world, it currently has a population of about 6,600 UNESCO World Heritage Site