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EMBASSY OF INDIA SANTIAGO |
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| CHILE-COUNTRY NOTE |
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Geography: |
| 1. |
Wedged between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Chile is a narrow ribbon of land stretching 4,250 kilometres along the west coast of South America. Although it is the world’s longest country, its average width measures only 160 km. Chile is bordered by Peru in the north, in the east by Bolivia and Argentina, in the west by the Pacific Ocean and in the south by Antarctica. It covers an area of 7,59,600 sq.km. It claims some 1.25 million sq. km. of Antarctica, where it has permanent stations, including civilian settlements. |
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Chile has four distinct geographic regions: the arid north; the fertile central valley; forests and lakes in south-central Chile; and the archipelago in the far south. The great northern desert - one fourth of the country- the driest area on earth, has rich mineral deposits, mainly copper and nitrates. The central valley, where most of the population lives, extends 400 km from Santiago both ways. It is also the location of Chile’s major industrial production. South-central Chile to the south of the Bio-Bio river, with a string of lakes is renowned for its beauty. Still further to the South are the steppes and sheep country of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, the most southern inhabited land mass in the world. Some Pacific islands also belong to Chile. The Juan Fernandez Islands are 640 km west of the country. About 3700 km. west in the Pacific is the famous Easter Island (Chilean since 1888) inhabited by Polynesians and famous for its moais or gigantic distorted stone monuments. |
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People: |
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Chile’s population is about 15.1 million (85% urban), with the greatest percentage concentrated in the metropolitan region (40%) followed by Bio-Bio region in the southern part of the country (10%) and Valparaiso in the central coastal zone (10%). 30% of the Chile’s population is under 14 years of age, 63% between 15 and 64 years and 7% of the people are over 65 years old. Chile is one of the most sparsely populated countries of Latin America (about 20 inhabitants per sq.km.) Annual population growth rate is 1.5%; life expectancy (75.2 years) and literacy (94.6%) are high. Electricity and telephones are available in 95% of its territory. |
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Chile ranks 22 out of 104 in Global Competitiveness Index elaborated by the WEF, 8 among 162 countries in the Economic Freedom Ranking elaborated by Heritage Foundation, and 86 in the World Growth Ranking. Chile is also ranked 22 among 146 nations in the Corruption Perceptions Index elaborated by Transparency International. With a score of 7.4 out of 10, Chile shows the lowest level of perceived corruption in Latin America. |
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| 5. |
The largest ethnic group is Mestizos (Spanish mixed with indigenous people). Others include Spanish, German, English, Italian, Croat and Arab, but there are very few Asians or Africans. However its population is very homogenous in culture. Their homogeneity and insularity are the result of isolating geographic factors: mountains, deserts and remoteness from outside cultural and political centres. Catholicism prevails among 70% of the population. Divorce has recently been legalized and abortion is illegal. |
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Government: |
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Chile is a unitary Republic. The coup d’etat of September 1973, overthrew Socialist President Salvador Allende. Then came General Augusto Pinochet’s 17 year military rule. Chile returned to its long tradition of elected civilian governments in March 1990. The peaceful transition to democracy began with a plebiscite in Oct 1988 when 55% of the electorate voted against the continuation of Pinochet as President. Open Presidential and congressional elections were held in Dec1989, followed by elections in 1993, 1999 and 2005. |
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Parliamentary and Presidential elections were held in December 2005/ January 2006. Dr Michelle Bachelet, a Coalition candidate had been elected as the first women President for Chile for a 4 year term. She was sworn in March 2006. The President appoints Cabinet Ministers, 13 regional administrators (intendentes), and 51 provincial governors, and rectors of State Universities. There is no Vice-president or Prime Minister in Chile. The Interior Minister acts as Vice-president when the Head of State is absent from the country. |
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The bicameral Congress is made up of Senate (Upper House) and a Chamber of Deputies (Lower House). The Senate has 38 elected seats - two from each of 19 senatorial districts. Senators are elected for 8 years. The 120 members of the Chamber of Deputies are elected for a 4-year term, two from each of 60 electoral districts. The Parliament is currently located in Valparaiso city. Through an amendment to the Constitution, the Congress eliminated non-directly elected Senators (life and designated Senators) with effect from March 11, 2006, the day 20 newly elected Senators were sworn in, leaving the total number of senators at 38, all directly elected. |
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Santiago: |
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Santiago has a population of 6.2 million (40% of Chile’s population). It was founded by the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Valdivia in 1541. Located in a valley at the foot of the Andes, about 100 kms. from the coast, it is the seat of Chile’s government, commerce, academic and cultural life. |
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Economy: |
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Chile has a market oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. Its focus is the export of primary commodities. Between 2000 and 2006 growth ranged between 2%-6%. Throughout these years Chile maintained a low rate of inflation with GDP growth coming from high copper prices, solid export earnings (particularly forestry, fishing, and mining), and growing domestic consumption. Chile attracts high levels of foreign direct investment, with most foreign investment going into gas, water, electricity and mining. |
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Culture: |
| 11. |
Chilean writers have won international fame. Among the country’s 20th century poets, are the Nobel laureates Gabriela Mistral (1945) and Pablo Neruda (1970). Isabel Allende and Nicanor Parra are well-known among contemporary authors. |
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Indian Community: |
| 12. |
Chile has around 1100 people of Indian origin, living here. About 40 per cent of them have obtained Chilean nationality. Half of them live in the northern free port of Iquique and the rest are in Santiago and Punta Arenas. Their main occupation is trading. As the community is largely engaged in small businesses and retail trade, it is susceptible to the fluctuations of domestic market demand. The Indian Community has been here since 1902 and has no problems with the locals. |
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