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Country Fact File : Chile
Moutaineering Course in Patagonia

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Country Fact File

Chile Flag Chile, in South America occupies a long and narrow coastal strip between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountain range. Owing to its unique shape it has a very varied climate and boasts the world’s driest desert, a Mediterranean climate in the centre of the country and Alpine conditions in the South. It is bordered by Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage at the very south of the country.

Before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule and Araucanian Indians inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818.

Location	Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Area	total: 756,950 sq km
Climate	temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south
Terrain	low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east
Extreme Elevations	lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880
Environmental Issues	widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage
Population	16,454,143
Ethnic Groups	white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%
Religions	Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3%
Languages	Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English
Type of Government	Republic
Capital	Santiago
Independence Day	18 September 1810 (from Spain)
Currency	Chilean peso (CLP)
Time	GMT / UTC-4

Did you know?

Northern Chile is home to the world's driest desert: Atacama.

Chile's number one export is copper.

The world's largest open pit mine is found at Chuquicamata in northern Chile.