1998 Edition

Area

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

Area-comparative

slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

Climate

temperate; desert in north; cool and damp in south

Coastline

6,435 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,962 m

Environment-current issues

air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation contributing to loss of biodiversity; soil erosion; desertification

Environment-international agreements

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

30 00 S, 71 00 W

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

Irrigated land

12,650 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 6,171 km border countries: Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km

Land use

arable land: 5% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 18% forests and woodland: 22% other: 55% (1993 est.)

Location

Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards

severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis

Natural resources

copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum

Terrain

low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east

Age structure

0-14 years: 28% (male 2,134,701; female 2,043,112) 15-64 years: 65% (male 4,768,366; female 4,811,403) 65 years and over: 7% (male 426,924; female 603,275) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate

18.28 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate

5.55 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups

white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%

Infant mortality rate

10.39 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages

Spanish

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.16 years male: 72.01 years female: 78.48 years (1998 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.2% male: 95.4% female: 95% (1995 est.)

Nationality

noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population

14,787,781 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate

1.27% (1998 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.3 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Administrative divisions

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, Tarapaca, Valparaiso note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

Constitution

11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30 July 1989

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Chile conventional short form: Chile local long form: Republica de Chile local short form: Chile

CPD consists mainly of

Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Enrique KRAUSS]; Socialist Party or PS [Camilo ESCALONA]; Party for Democracy or PPD [Sergio BITAR]; Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Anselmo SULE]; Union for the Progress of Chile or UPP consists mainly of two parties: National Renewal or RN [Alberto ESPINA]; Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Jovino NOVOA] Political pressure groups and leaders: revitalized university student federations at all major universities; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations; Roman Catholic Church

Data code

CI

Executive branch

chief of state: President Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (since 11 March 1994); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (since 11 March 1994); 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 11 December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle elected president; percent of vote-Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (PDC) 58%, Arturo ALESSANDRI 24.4%, other 17.6%

FAX

[1] (202) 887-5579 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gabriel GUERRA-MONDRAGON embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Santiago mailing address: APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600

[56] (2) 330-3710

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

Government type

republic

Independence

18 September 1810 (from Spain)

International organization participation

APEC, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John BIEHL Del Rios chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (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 Political parties and leaders: Coalition of Parties for Democracy or

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

Legislative branch

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (48 seats, 38 elected by popular vote; 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 11 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2001); Chamber of Deputies-last held 11 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2001) election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-Coalition of Parties for Democracy 20 (PDC 14, PS 4, PPD 2), Union for the Progress of Chile 17 (RN 7, UDI 10), independent 10; Chamber of Deputies-percent of vote by party-Coalition of Parties for Democracy 50.55% (PDC 22.98%, PS 11.10%, PPD 12.55%, PRSD 3.13%), Union for the Progress of Chile 36.23% (RN 16.78%, UDI 14.43%); seats by party-Coalition of Parties for Democracy 70 (PDC 39, PPD 16, PRSD 4, PS 11), Union for the Progress of Chile 46 (RN 24, UDI 21, Party of the South 1), right-wing independents 4

National capital

Santiago

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture-products

wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, fruit; beef, poultry, wool; timber; 1991 fish catch of 6.6 million metric tons

Budget

revenues: $17 billion expenditures: $17 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

Currency

1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos

Debt-external

$26.7 billion (1997 est.)

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $50.3 million (1996 est.)

Economy-overview

Chile has a prosperous, essentially free market economy. Civilian governments - which took over from the military in March 1990-have continued to reduce the government's role in the economy while shifting the emphasis of public spending toward social programs. Growth in real GDP averaged more than 7.0% in 1991-1997, and inflation is nearing a 40-year low. Chile's currency and foreign reserves also are strong, as sustained foreign capital inflows-including significant direct investment-have more than offset current account deficits and public debt buybacks. President FREI, who took office in March 1994, has placed improving Chile's education system and developing foreign export markets at the top of his economic agenda. Despite this progress, the Chilean economy remains largely dependent on a few sectors-particularly copper mining, fishing, and forestry. Success in meeting the government's goal of sustained annual economic growth of 5% depends largely on world prices for these commodities, continued foreign investor confidence, and the government's ability to maintain a conservative fiscal stance. In 1996, Chile became an associate member of Mercosur and concluded a Free Trade Agreement with Canada.

Electricity-capacity

5.504 million kW (1995)

Electricity-consumption per capita

1,730 kWh (1995)

Electricity-production

24.5 billion kWh (1995)

Exchange rates

Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1-452.60 (January 1998), 419.30 (1997), 412.27 (1996), 396.78 (1995), 420.08 (1994), 404.35 (1993)

Exports

total value: $16.9 billion (f.o.b., 1997) commodities: copper 37%, other metals and minerals 8.2%, wood products 7.1%, fish and fishmeal 9.8%, fruits 8.4% (1994) partners: EU 25%, US 15%, Asia 34%, Latin America 20% (1995 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications

GDP

purchasing power parity-$168.5 billion (1997 est.)

GDP-composition by sector

agriculture: 8% industry: 33% services: 59% (1995 est.)

GDP-per capita

purchasing power parity-$11,600 (1997 est.)

GDP-real growth rate

7.1% (1997 est.)

Imports

total value: $18.2 billion (f.o.b., 1997) commodities: capital goods 25.2%, spare parts 24.8%, raw materials 15.4%, petroleum 10%, foodstuffs 5.7% (1994) partners: EU 18%, US 25%, Asia 16%, Latin America 26% (1995 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

4.2% (1997)

Industries

copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles

Inflation rate-consumer price index

6% (1997)

Labor force

total: 5.7 million (1997 est.) by occupation: services 38.3% (includes government 12%), industry and commerce 33.8%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 19.2%, mining 2.3%, construction 6.4% (1990)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 179, FM 614, shortwave 11

Radios

NA

Telephone system

modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones

1.5 million (1994 est.)

Television broadcast stations

11

Televisions

2.85 million (1992 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.1% (1997)

Airports

380 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways: total: 52 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 6 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 328 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 74 under 914 m: 234 (1997 est.)

Highways

total: 79,800 km paved: 11,012 km unpaved: 68,788 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 473,173 GRT/770,619 DWT ships by type: bulk 12, cargo 9, chemical tanker 4, container 2, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 4, passenger 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, vehicle carrier 2 (1997 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural gas 320 km Ports and harbors: Antofagasta, Arica, Chanaral, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso

Railways

total: 6,782 km broad gauge: 3,743 km 1.676-m gauge (1,653 km electrified) narrow gauge: 116 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,923 km 1.000-m gauge (40 km electrified) (1995)

Waterways

725 km

Military branches

Army of the Nation, National Navy (includes Naval Air, Coast Guard, and Marines), Air Force of the Nation, Carabineros of Chile (National Police), Investigations Police

Military expenditures-dollar figure

$2.8 billion (1997); note-includes earnings from CODELCO Company; probably includes costs of pensions and internal security

Military expenditures-percent of GDP

3.5% (1997)

Military manpower-availability

males age 15-49: 3,919,465 (1998 est.) Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 2,909,927 (1998 est.)

Military manpower-military age

19 years of age

Military manpower-reaching military age annually

males: 128,442 (1998 est.)

Disputes-international

short section of the southeastern boundary with Argentina is indefinite; Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Bolivia over Rio Lauca water rights; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims

Illicit drugs

a minor transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US and Europe; booming economy has made it more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits (also see separate