2003 Edition

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 (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso

note

the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

Age structure

0-14 years: 26.4% (male 2,112,251; female 2,018,099) 15-64 years: 66% (male 5,151,551; female 5,180,607) 65 years and over: 7.7% (male 499,441; female 703,267) (2003 est.)

Area

land

748,800 sq km

note

includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez

total

756,950 sq km

water

8,150 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

Background

A three-year-old Marxist government 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, 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. Geography Chile

Birth rate

16.1 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Capital

Santiago

Climate

temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south

Coastline

6,435 km

Constitution

11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981, amended 30 July 1989, 1993, and 1997

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Chile

conventional short form

Chile

local long form

Republica de Chile

local short form

Chile

Death rate

5.63 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage

Environment - international agreements

party to

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban

Ethnic groups

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

Executive branch

chief of state

President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

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 People Chile

Government type

republic

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

220 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

20,000 (2001 est.)

Independence

18 September 1810 (from Spain)

Infant mortality rate

female

8.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

9.68 deaths/1,000 live births

total

8.88 deaths/1,000 live births

Irrigated land

18,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km

total

6,171 km

Land use

arable land

2.65%

other

96.93% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

0.42%

Languages

Spanish

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; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

note

Chile is in the process of completely overhauling its criminal justice system; a new, US-style adversarial system is being gradually implemented throughout the country

Life expectancy at birth

female

79.82 years (2003 est.)

male

73.04 years

total population

76.35 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.1% (2003 est.) Government Chile

male

96.4%

total population

96.2%

Location

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

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 NM

continental shelf

200/350 NM

exclusive economic zone

200 NM

territorial sea

12 NM

Median age

female

30.4 years (2002)

male

28.6 years

total

29.5 years

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

Nationality

adjective

Chilean

noun

Chilean(s)

Natural hazards

severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis

Natural resources

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

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Population

15,665,216 (July 2003 est.)

Population growth rate

1.05% (2003 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL%

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Terrain

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

Total fertility rate

2.09 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, fruit; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber

Airports

363 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 23

total

71

under 914 m

15 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

over 3,047 m

1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 60

total

292

under 914 m

216 (2002) Military Chile

Budget

expenditures

$17 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)

revenues

$17 billion

Currency

Chilean peso (CLP)

Currency code

CLP

Debt - external

$40.4 billion (2002)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD

embassy

Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago

mailing address

APO AA 34033

telephone

[56] (2) 232-2600

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Andres BIANCHI

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Disputes - international

Bolivia continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884; dispute with Peru over the economic zone delimited by the maritime boundary; Chile demands water rights to Bolivia's Rio Lauca and Silala Spring; Beagle Channel islands dispute resolved through Papal mediation in 1984, but armed incidents persist since 1992 oil discovery; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims

Distribution of family income - Gini index

56.7 (1998)

Economic aid - recipient

ODA, $40 million (2001 est.)

Economy - 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 4.4% in 2000. Growth fell back to 2.8% in 2001 and 1.8% in 2002, largely due to lackluster global growth and the devaluation of the Argentine peso. Unemployment remains stubbornly high, putting pressure on President LAGOS to improve living standards. One bright spot was the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which will take effect on 1 January 2004.

Electricity - consumption

40.13 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

1.386 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

41.66 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

47%

hydro

51.5%

nuclear

0%

other

1.4% (2001)

Exchange rates

Chilean pesos per US dollar - 688.95 (2002), 634.94 (2001), 535.47 (2000), 508.78 (1999), 460.29 (1998)

Exports

$17.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

copper, fish, fruits, paper and pulp, chemicals

Exports - partners

US 19.1%, Japan 10.5%, China 6.7%, Mexico 5%, Italy 4.7%, UK 4.4% (2002)

FAX

[1] (202) 887-5579

[56] (2) 330-3710

telephone

[1] (202) 785-1746

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Chile

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 representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the blood spilled to achieve independence; design was influenced by the US flag Economy Chile

GDP

purchasing power parity - $156.1 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

11%

industry

34%

services

56% (2001)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $10,100 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.1% (2002 est.)

Highways

paved

15,484 km (including 294 km of expressways)

total

79,814 km

unpaved

64,330 km (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

45.6% (1998)

lowest 10%

1.3%

Illicit drugs

a growing transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US and Europe; economic prosperity and increasing trade have made Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$15.6 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities

consumer goods, chemicals, motor vehicles, fuels, electrical machinery, heavy industrial machinery, food

Imports - partners

Argentina 18%, US 14.9%, Brazil 9.5%, China 6.5%, Germany 4.3% (2002)

Industrial production growth rate

-1.5% (2002 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

APEC, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Internet country code

.cl

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

7 (2000)

Internet users

3.1 million (2002) Transportation Chile

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or 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); Constitutional Tribunal

Labor force

5.9 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 14%, industry 27%, services 59% (1997 est.)

Legislative branch

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (49 seats, 38 elected by popular vote, 9 designated members, and 2 former presidents who serve six-year terms and are senators for life); elected 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)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CPD 20 (PDC 12, PS 5, PPD 3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7), independents 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CPD 62 (PDC 24, PPD 21, PS 11, PRSD 6), UDI 35, RN 22, independent 1

elections

Senate - last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005)

Merchant marine

convenience

Netherlands 1 (2002 est.)

note

includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of

ships by type

bulk 9, cargo 6, chemical tanker 9, container 4, liquefied gas 2, passenger 4, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 4

total

50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 696,202 GRT/900,317 DWT

Military branches

Army of the Nation, National Navy (including naval air, coast guard, and marines), Air Force of the Nation, Chilean Carabineros (National Police), Investigations Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$2.5 billion (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

3.1% (FY99) Transnational Issues Chile

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

4,154,636 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

3,070,140 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

19 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

131,324 (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

6.47 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

5.27 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

1.2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

67.78 billion cu m (37257)

Oil - consumption

241,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

13,640 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

81.05 million bbl (37257)

Pipelines

gas 2,267 km; gas/liquid petroleum gas 42 km; liquid petroleum gas 531 km; oil 983 km; refined products 545 km (2003)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Chile ("Alianza") or APC - including RN and UDI; Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Adolfo ZALDIVAR]; Coalition of Parties for Democracy ("Concertacion") or CPD - including PDC, PS, PPD, PRSD; Communist Party or PC [Gladys MARIN]; Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Pablo LONGUEIRA]; National Renewal or RN [Sebastian PINERA]; Party for Democracy or PPD [Guido GIRARDI]; Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Orlando CANTUARIAS]; Socialist Party or PS [Camilo ESCALONA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

revitalized university student federations at all major universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations

Population below poverty line

21% (1998 est.)

Ports and harbors

Antofagasta, Arica, Chanaral, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso

Radio broadcast stations

AM 180 (eight inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (one inactive) (1998)

Radios

5.18 million (1997)

Railways

broad gauge

2,831 km 1.676-m gauge (1,317 km electrified)

narrow gauge

3,754 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)

total

6,585 km

Telephone system

domestic

extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations

general assessment

modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities

international

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

2.603 million (1998)

Telephones - mobile cellular

944,225 (1998)

Television broadcast stations

63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

3.15 million (1997)

Unemployment rate

9.2% (2002)

Waterways

725 km