+56 is the dialing code for Chile.
Chile has the world’s most easily recognized blind map. Over 400 miles long and an average of 20 miles wide, the country extends along the South American west coast, through a series of climate zones. Already in the early 1900s, Chile laid the foundations for a modern welfare society and for 40 years, until 1973, the country was South America’s only functioning democracy. A brutal military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet then came to characterize the outside world’s image of the country for several decades. Today, Chile is again a stable democracy, with a well-managed economy based mainly on mining.
- Abbreviationfinder: Brief profiles of Chile, including geography, history, politics, economics as well as common acronyms about this country.
Geography and climate
Long-range Chile extends along the west coast of South America. From north to south, the country is 420 km, but its width is on average less than 20 km. Migrated to Europe, Chile would run from southern Italy all the way to the Spetsbergen in the Arctic Ocean.
The Chilean mainland is almost as large as Sweden and Norway together. Chile also includes Easter Island (Rapa Nui) in the Pacific and Juan Fernández Islands, where the model for Robinson Crusoe, Alexander Selkirk, was stranded in 1704-1709. The country also claims part of Antarctica.
Through Chile, two mountain ranges run in the north-south direction. One is the Chilean Andes along the eastern border with heights of more than 5,000 meters above sea level in the north. The second mountain range runs along the Pacific coast with peaks lower than 2,000 meters above sea level. A long valley spreads between the mountains, forming a narrow plateau up to 1,200 meters in the far north. At the town of Puerto Montt in the south, the valley is replaced by the archipelago.
The mainland can be divided into five zones: furthest north one of the world’s driest desert landscapes; south of it – between the cities of Copiapó and Illapel – irrigated peninsula and steppe; in central Chile the soil is fertile with much melting water from the slopes of the Andes during rainy winters; further south comes another agricultural area rich in lakes and fast-growing forests that turn into plains and glaciers at the far south. Serious earthquakes and earthquakes have occurred in the country.
Country Facts
Geography
| Cultivated land | 21.1 % |
| Land area | 756102 km 2 |
Population and health
| Population development | 0.82 ‰ |
| Urban population (Urbanization) | 89.5 % |
| Death rate | 6 per 1000 residents |
| Life expectancy: Women | 81.76 years |
| Life expectancy: Men | 75.58 years |
| Birth rate | 13.83 births per 1000 residents |
| HDI index | 0.832 |
| Population | 17508260 |
| Infant mortality | 6.86 deaths / 1000 births |
Population Graph Source: Countryaah.com
Energy
| Electricity, production | 66890 million kWh |
| Energy consumption per resident | 2179.4 kg. oil per resident |
| Natural gas, production | 908 million cubic meters |
| Crude oil, production | million tons |
Infrastructure
| Internet users | 65.8 per 100 residents |
| Mobile subscriptions | 136 per 100 residents |
| Passenger cars | 184 per 1000 residents |
Business and economics
| Unemployment | 6.4% of the workforce |
| GDP | 23500 per resident |
| Primary occupations | 13.2 % |
| Secondary profession | 23 % |
| Tertiary professions | 63.8 % |
In 2010, central Chile was shaken by an earthquake of magnitude 8.8, one of the most powerful earthquakes measured. Over 500 people perished (see also Modern History).
The climate alternates between extreme drought in the north and rain and humid air in the south. In central Chile there is a temperate climate of southern European type with sunny summers and abundant winter precipitation.
FACTS – GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Surface
756 945 km2 (2018)
Time
Swedish –5 hours
Adjacent country (s)
Peru, Bolivia, Argentina
Capital with number of residents
Santiago de Chile 6.2 million
Other major cities
Concepcion (901,000 inv), Valparaiso (723,000) (estimated 2017)
Highest mountain
Ojos del Salado (6,870 m asl)
Important rivers
Loa
Largest lake
Lago Llanquihue
Average Precipitation / month
Santiago 84 mm (June), 2 mm (Feb)
Average / day
Santiago 11 °C (June), 17 °C (Feb)
2015
December
Parts of educational reform are rejected
A ruling in the Constitutional Court represents a setback for Bachelet’s educational reform. The Court annulled that state funds should only go to certain colleges. Thus, the President’s promises of free higher education are in jeopardy. Bachelet says that alternatives such as scholarships should now be considered.
Marijuana is approved as a drug
President Bachelet signs a decree authorizing marijuana for medical use. A few months earlier, the Chamber of Deputies adopted a proposal to legalize the possession of smaller quantities of marijuana. That proposal must also be approved by a health commission and the Senate in order for a legislative change to get rid of.
Jail in campaign scandal
The former senator and one of the founders of the conservative UDI party, Jovino Novoa, is sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the “Pentagate” scandal involving illegal campaign contributions (see March 2015). The verdict against Novoa is the first to fall in connection with the scandal.
October
Compensation for political prisoners and torture victims
Congress decides on a one-time payment of damages to political prisoners and torture victims from Pinocheteran. The compensation is equivalent to approximately SEK 12,000 per person. Many already receive compensation for suffering during the Pinochet regime.
A new constitution will be drawn up
President Bachelet states that the work of writing a new constitution is now beginning. The process is expected to take a couple of years and lead to a proposal that voters may take a position on in a referendum. The president says that the current constitution has its origins in dictatorship and does not meet the needs of democracy.
September
Heavy earthquake outside Chile
Thirteen people die, 9,000 become homeless and around one million are forced to temporarily leave their homes after an earthquake of magnitude 8.3 occurred off the coast. The quake is said to be the sixth strongest measured in Chile and is also felt in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires. Nevertheless, the damage is less than feared, which is stated to be due to preventive measures following the severe earthquake in 2010.
August
A new region is set up
A new region, Ñuble, is set up in the middle of the country. The region includes an area that was previously part of the Bío-Bío region. With the change, Chile has 16 regions.
Amendment of law should strengthen the judiciary
A new law is enacted that will strengthen the prosecutor’s system. It is an attempt to address the public’s concern: despite Chile being regarded as the safest country in Latin America, many view crime as a major societal problem.
June
The Minister of Education is replaced
President Michelle Bachelet decides to replace her Minister of Education in an attempt to curb the continued protests against the government in general and education reforms in particular. However, no course change in policy is announced.
Crisis situation due to pollution in Santiago
Air pollution in the capital reaches such a high level that emergency measures are taken, for the first time in 16 years. A driving ban is imposed because 40 percent of all cars and 3,000 factories and other companies are forced to keep closed. One contributing factor to the crisis level is that it has been unusually dry in June; rain and wind will otherwise help to remove the pollution from the capital, which lies between high mountains.
May
Students require further educational reforms
New student demonstrations demanding further reform are being held around Chile. President Bachelet has presented plans that mean that free university education will be gradually introduced from 2016 and should cover all 2020. But the students demand more.
Renovation in government after scandal
President Bachelet calls on all ministers to resign, something that has never happened in Chile before. Voters’ confidence in Bachelet has raged after the revelations about the son’s suspected abuse of power (see February 2015). The president has always maintained that she is not aware of the son and son wife’s business but admits that she should have handled the scandal better. After a few days, Bachelet appoints a new government. Some ministers are returning to new posts.
April
Volcanic eruptions cause havoc
Calbuco volcano in southern Chile is experiencing a sudden eruption and over 6,000 people are being forced to leave their homes. The government promises aid to farmers in the area who are losing assets at enormous value.
March
Right leader resigns following campaign scandal
11th of March
The leader of the Conservative Party of the UDI, Ernesto Silva, leaves his post because of revelations about illegal campaign contributions in the 2013 election. investment bank Penta. However, according to Silva, the government alliance has also received illegal grants.
Water shortage after flooding
Severe floods affect northern Chile and require dozens of people’s lives, leaving entire communities without drinking water. The floods are a result of the strongest rains in the Andes in 80 years.
February
The president’s son is accused of irregularities
Sebastián Dávalos, the son of President Michelle Bachelet, resigns as head of a charity after accusations from the opposition that he used his influence to arrange a bank loan of million to his wife. The money was used to buy land which was then sold at a profit. Finansinspektionen has freed him, but it is still considered a political scandal.
January
Registered partnership adopted
Congress enacts a law that allows people of the same sex to enter a registered partnership. The law also gives unmarried couples many of the rights that come with being married. Even unmarried living together now have the right to inherit each other. The law comes into force in October.
New electoral law adopted
President Michelle Bachelet calls it “an important day for Chile and a great day for our democracy” when Congress finally adopts changes to elements of the electoral system introduced during Pinochet in 1989. The changes that come into force for the 2017 election mean that the electoral system will be more proportionate (see also Political system).