Chile Information

Republic of Chile, Republica de Chile, Chile

Chile is in Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru. The Pacific Ocean forms the country's western border, with Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage at the country's southern tip. Slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana.

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 by Spain 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), (below: Naval Combat of Iquique - The sinking of the Esmeralda)

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.

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.

Economic Overview: 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 about 5% per year in 2004-06, while Chile maintained a low rate of inflation. GDP growth benefited from high copper prices, solid export earnings (particularly forestry, fishing, and mining), and stepped-up foreign direct investment. Unemployment has exhibited a downward trend over the past year, but remains fairly 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. Chile signed a free trade agreement with China in November 2005, and it already has several trade deals signed with other nations and blocs, including the European Union, Mercosur, South Korea, and Mexico. Record-high copper prices helped to strengthen the peso to a 6½-year high, as of December 2006, and added investment in the mining sector will boost GDP in 2007.

Chile

Phone international country code 56

Chile Government

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Chile from US and GB Sources

Chile Regions

Chile Cities

Antofagasta Chile

The capital of both Antofagasta Province and Antofagasta Region.

Arica Chile

The Northmost City, the capital of the Arica Province in the Tarapacá Region.

Copiapó Chile

Copiapó is the Atacama Region capital and the Copiapó Province capitol.

Iquique Chile

Capital of Tarapacá Region in the north.

Puerto Montt Chile

The capital of the Llanquihue Province and the Los Lagos Region

Punta Arenas Chile

Puerto Varas Chile

The city of Puerto Varas, also known as “the city of roses”, was founded in 1854 by Vicente Pérez Rosales. The city is named after Antonio Varas, minister of the interior during the presidency of Manuel Montt, when the city was founded.

Santiago Chile

Santiago is the capital and largest city of Chile. It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of 520 meters or 1,706.04 feet above mean sea level.

Vallenar Chile

Vallenar is a city in Atacama Region, Chile. It is the capital of the Huasco Province.

Victoria Chile

Victoria is a city in Malleco Province of La Araucanía Region

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