2009 Edition

Background

Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while the indigenous Mapuche inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions. It was not until the 1880s that the Mapuche Indians were completely subjugated. After a series of elected governments, a three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup 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, reduced poverty rates by over half, 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.

Area

total: 756,102 sq km country comparison to the world: 38 land: 743,812 sq km water: 12,290 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; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south

Coastline

6,435 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 12.55 cu km/yr (11%/25%/64%) per capita: 770 cu m/yr (2000)

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

19,000 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 6,339 km border countries: Argentina 5,308 km, Bolivia 860 km, Peru 171 km

Land use

arable land: 2.62% permanent crops: 0.43% other: 96.95% (2005)

Location

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

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200/350 nm

Natural hazards

severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis

Natural resources

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

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

922 cu km (2000)

Age structure

0-14 years: 23.2% (male 1,966,017/female 1,877,963) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 5,625,963/female 5,628,146) 65 years and over: 9.1% (male 627,746/female 875,872) (2009 est.)

Birth rate

14.64 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Death rate

5.84 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Education expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 141

Ethnic groups

white and white-Amerindian 95.4%, Mapuche 4%, other indigenous groups 0.6% (2002 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

31,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Infant mortality rate

total: 7.71 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 164 male: 8.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages

Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.34 years country comparison to the world: 56 male: 74.07 years female: 80.77 years (2009 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.7% male: 95.8% female: 95.6% (2002 census)

Median age

total: 31.4 years male: 30.4 years female: 32.4 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean

Net migration rate

NA (2009 est.)

Population

16,601,707 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

Population growth rate

0.881% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Religions

Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3% (2002 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2006)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Urbanization

urban population: 88% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Administrative divisions

15 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Arica y Parinacota, Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Los Rios, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

Capital

name: Santiago geographic coordinates: 33 27 S, 70 40 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March

Constitution

11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 1989, 1991, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2005

Country name

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Paul E. SIMONS embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago mailing address: APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 330-3000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Maria GONI Carrasco chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746

Executive branch

chief of state: President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of

FAX

[1] (202) 887-5579 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

[56] (2) 330-3710, 330-3160

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; 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 represents the blood spilled to achieve independence note: design was influenced by the US flag

Government type

republic

Independence

18 September 1810 (from Spain)

International organization participation

APEC, BIS, CAN (associate), FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OECD (accession state), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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 every three years by the 20-member court); Constitutional Tribunal (eight-members - two each from the Senate, Chamber of Deputies, Supreme Court, and National Security Council - review the constitutionality of laws approved by Congress)

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 - in June 2005, Chile completed overhaul of its criminal justice system to a new, US-style adversarial system

Legislative branch

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (38 seats; members elected by popular vote to 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 2005 (next to be held in December 2009); Chamber of Deputies - last held 11 December 2005 (next to be held in December 2009) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 20 (PDC 6, PS 8, PPD 3, PRSD 3), APC 17 (UDI 9, RN 8), independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 65 (PDC 21, PPD 22, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 54 (UDI 34, RN 20), independent 1; note - as of 8 January 2008: Senate - seats by party - CPD 18, (PDC 5, PS 8, PPD 2, PRSD 3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7), independent 4; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - CPD 57 (PDC 16, PPD 19, PS 15, PRSD 7), APC 53 (UDI 33, RN 20), independent 10.

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Chile (Alianza) or APC (including National Renewal or RN [Carlos LARRAIN Pena] and Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Juan Antonio COLOMA Correa]); Coalition of Parties for Democracy (Concertacion) or CPD (including Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Juan Carlos LATORRE Carmona], Socialist Party or PS [Camilo ESCALONA Medina], Party for Democracy or PPD [Pepe AUTH Stewart], and Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Jose Antonio GOMEZ Urrutia]); Communist Party or PC [Guillermo TEILLIER del Valle]; Humanist Party [Marilen CABRERA Olmos]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Roman Catholic Church, particularly conservative groups such as Opus Dei; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations other: revitalized university student federations at all major universities

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber

Budget

revenues: $44.79 billion expenditures: $35.09 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate

8.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 73 6% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.26% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 98 8.67% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance

-$3.44 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $7.189 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$64.77 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $55.67 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

54.9 (2003) country comparison to the world: 14 57.1 (2000)

Economy - overview

Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Exports account for 40% of GDP, with commodities making up some three-quarters of total exports. Copper alone provides one-third of government revenue. 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 situation 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. In the years since then, growth has averaged 4% per year. 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 claims to have more bilateral or regional trade agreements than any other country. It has 57 such agreements (not all of them full free trade agreements), including with the European Union, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico. Over the past five years, foreign direct investment inflows have quadrupled to some $17 billion in 2008. The Chilean government conducts a rule-based countercyclical fiscal policy, accumulating surpluses in sovereign wealth funds during periods of high copper prices and economic growth, and allowing deficit spending only during periods of low copper prices and growth. As of September 2008, those sovereign wealth funds - kept mostly outside the country and separate from Central Bank reserves - amounted to more than $20 billion.

Electricity - consumption

57.29 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.628 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

60.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Exchange rates

Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar - 509.02 (2008 est.), 526.25 (2007), 530.29 (2006), 560.09 (2005), 609.37 (2004)

Exports

$66.46 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $67.67 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine

Exports - partners

China 14.2%, US 11.3%, Japan 10.4%, Brazil 5.9%, South Korea 5.7%, Netherlands 5.2%, Italy 4.4% (2008)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 4.8% industry: 50.5% services: 44.7% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $14,600 (2007 est.) $14,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 4.7% (2007 est.) 4.6% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$169.5 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$245.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $237.5 billion (2007 est.) $226.8 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 41.7% (2006)

Imports

$57.61 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $44.03 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas

Imports - partners

US 19.1%, China 11.9%, Brazil 9.3%, Argentina 8.8%, South Korea 5.6%, Japan 4.6% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

0.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 4.4% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

24% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Labor force

7.267 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 13.2% industry: 23% services: 63.9% (2005)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$132.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 36 $212.9 billion (31 December 2007) $174.6 billion (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption

2.34 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 184

Natural gas - imports

690 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Natural gas - production

1.65 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Natural gas - proved reserves

97.97 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Oil - consumption

277,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Oil - exports

49,250 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Oil - imports

311,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Oil - production

11,190 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Oil - proved reserves

150 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

Population below poverty line

18.2% (2005)

Public debt

5.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 12.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$23.08 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $16.84 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$25.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $24.68 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$108.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $91.49 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$116.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 35 $127.1 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$14.72 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 39 $16.6 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$73.66 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 25 $80.42 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

7.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 7% (2007 est.)

Internet country code

.cl

Internet hosts

877,817 (2009) country comparison to the world: 40

Internet users

5.456 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 43

Radio broadcast stations

AM 180, FM 64, shortwave 17 (1998)

Telephone system

general assessment: privatization begun in 1988; most advanced telecommunications infrastructure in South America; modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities; fixed-line connections have dropped in recent years as mobile-cellular usage continues to increase, reaching a level of 90 telephones per 100 persons domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations international: country code - 56; submarine cables provide links to the US and to Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

3.526 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 43

Telephones - mobile cellular

14.797 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 45

Television broadcast stations

63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997)

Airports

357 (2009) country comparison to the world: 22

Airports - with paved runways

total: 81 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 24 under 914 m: 22 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 276 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 50 under 914 m: 212 (2009)

Merchant marine

total: 44 country comparison to the world: 75 by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 7, chemical tanker 8, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 3 registered in other countries: 40 (Argentina 7, Brazil 1, Cyprus 1, Isle of Man 6, Marshall Islands 4, Norway 2, Panama 12, Singapore 6, Venezuela 1) (2008)

Pipelines

gas 2,676 km; liquid petroleum gas 519 km; oil 892 km; refined products 769 km (2008)

Ports and terminals

Coronel, Huasco, Lirquen, Puerto Ventanas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso

Railways

total: 5,481 km country comparison to the world: 33 broad gauge: 1,706 km 1.676-m gauge (850 km electrified) narrow gauge: 3,777 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 80,505 km country comparison to the world: 58 paved: 16,745 km (includes 2,414 km of expressways) unpaved: 63,760 km (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 4,242,912 females age 16-49: 4,182,509 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 3,573,165 females age 16-49: 3,523,649 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 145,766 female: 139,648 (2009 est.)

Military branches

Army of the Nation, Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes naval air, marine corps, and Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh), Carabineros Corps (Cuerpo de Carabineros) (2008)

Military expenditures

2.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 57

Military service age and obligation

18-45 years of age for voluntary male and female military service, although the right to compulsory recruitment is retained; service obligation - 12 months for Army, 22 months for Navy and Air Force (2008)

Disputes - international

Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reinvigorated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile has offered instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile to Bolivian gas and other commodities; Chile rejects Peru's unilateral legislation to change its latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis favoring Peru, in October 2007, Peru took its maritime complaint with Chile to the ICJ; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001, has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur)

Illicit drugs

transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the region; some money laundering activity, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant consumer of cocaine (2008) page last updated on November 12, 2009