Chile
Country Info
Introduction
Background: A three-year-old Marxist government was overthrown in
1973 by a dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, which
ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound
economic policies, first implemented by the PINOCHET dictatorship,
led to unprecedented growth in 1991-97 and have helped secure the
country's commitment to democratic and representative government.
Growth slowed in 1998-99, but will likely recover in 2000.
Geography
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South
Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Area: 756,950 sq km note: includes Easter Island (Isla
de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez
Land boundaries: 6,171 km border countries: Argentina,
Bolivia , Peru
Climate: temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean
in central region; cool and damp in south
Terrain: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley;
rugged Andes in east
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0
m highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,962 m
Natural resources: copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates,
precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower
Geography - note: 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
People
Population: 15,153,797 (July 2000 est.) Population
growth rate: 1.17% (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 75.74 years
Nationality: Chilean(s) Ethnic groups: white and white-Amerindian
95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%
Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish
NEGL
Languages: Spanish
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of
Chile conventional short form: Chile
Data code: CI
Government type: republic
Capital: Santiago
Independence: 18 September 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
Constitution: 11 September 1980, effective 11 March
1981; amended 30 July 1989 and in 1993
Legal system: 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; does not
accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Flag description: 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; design was based on the US
flag
Economy
Economy - overview: Chile has a market-oriented economy
characterized by a high level of foreign trade. 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.
Population below poverty line: 22% (1998 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (1999 est.)
Labour force: 5.8 million (1999 est.)
Labour force - by occupation: agriculture 14%, industry
27%, services 59% (1997 est.)
Industries: copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish
processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment,
cement, textiles
Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, grapes, beans,
sugar beets, potatoes, fruit; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber
Exports - commodities: copper, fish, fruits, paper and pulp, chemicals
Exports - partners: EU 27%, US 16%, Japan 14%, Brazil
6%, Argentina 5% (1998)
Imports - commodities: consumer goods, chemicals,
motor vehicles, fuels, electrical machinery, heavy industrial machinery,
food Imports - partners: US 24%, EU 23%, Argentina 11%, Brazil 6%,
Japan 6%, Mexico 5% (1998)
Currency: 1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1 - 520.45
(January 2000), 508.78 (1999), 460.29 (1998), 419.30 (1997), 412.27
(1996), 396.77 (1995)
|
