República de Chile

Location west coast of South America
Bordered By Peru, Bolivia, Argentina

Area 292,258 sq mi (756,945 sq km)
Greatest Distance N-S 2,650 mi (4,265 km)
Greatest Distance E-W 225 mi (362 km)
Coastline 3,317 mi (5,338 km)
Highest Point Ojos del Salado; 22,572 ft (6,880 m)
Lowest Point Pacific coast; sea level
Natural Resources copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower

Nationality Chilean
Population (July 2014 est) 17,363,894
Largest City Santiago
Ethnic Groups white, white-Amerindian, Mapuche, indigenous groups
Religions Roman Catholic, Evangelical, Jehovah's Witness
Languages Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English

Capital Santiago
Form of Government republic
Present Constitution Adopted September 11, 1980
Chief of State and Head of Government President Michelle Bachelet Jeria (since March 11, 2014)
Cabinet Cabinet appointed by President
Legislature bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Judiciary Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), Constitutional Tribunal
Local Administration 15 regions

Currency Chilean Peso
Per Capita Income $17,400
Industries copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles
Agricultural Products grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool, fish; timber
Export Commodities copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine
Import Commodities petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas

Independence from Spain Achieved September 18, 1810
National Holiday Independence Day; September 18, 1810
Flag two equal horizontal bands of white and red; a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band which bears a white five-pointed star representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white the snow-covered Andes, and red the blood spilled to achieve independence

SEE ALSO
Peru
Bolivia
Argentina
Spain

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This page was last updated on June 20, 2017.