Chile
 
Category:   World Directory  :  South America  :  Chile
 
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage at the country's southernmost tip. It is one of only two countries in South America that does not have a border with Brazil.

Chile's unusual, ribbon-like shape — 4,300 kilometres (2,700 mi) long and on average 175 kilometres (109 mi) wide — has given it a varied climate, ranging from the world's driest desert — the Atacama — in the north, through a Mediterranean climate in the centre, to a snow-prone Alpine climate in the south, with glaciers, fjords and lakes.

Currently, Chile is one of South America's most stable and prosperous nations. Within the greater Latin American context it leads in terms of human development, gross domestic product per capita (at market prices and purchasing power parity), competitiveness, quality of life, political stability, globalization, economic freedom, low perception of corruption and comparatively low poverty rates. It also ranks high regionally in freedom of the press and democratic development. It has a high income inequality, as measured by the Gini index.   Source


Chile Facts

Population: 17 million

Capital: Santiago

Currency: Peso

Area: 756,950 km2

Language: Spanish

Main Religion: Christian

Calling Code: +56

Time Zone: GMT - 3

Main Cities: Santiago, vina causino, Antofaqasta, Vina del Mar, Valparaiso, Talcahuano, San Bernardo, Temuco, Iguigue, Concepcion