Overview of Chile

Quick Overview

Chile is a country that stretches along the Pacific for over 4,300 km with an average width of 200 km. It consists of three parallel landforms: the coastal mountain range along the Pacific (under 3,000 m), the Central Valley which is the economic zone, and the Andes with high peaks, including Aconcagua (6,959 m) on the Argentine border. Logically, Chile offers varied landscapes, from the Atacama Desert in the far north to the fjords of Tierra del Fuego, passing through the Lake District.

Nearly 90% of the Chilean population is urban and lives in the central region, around Santiago. The population is mostly of European origin, with Indigenous minorities such as the Aymara in the north and the Mapuche in the south.

The country's wealth comes mainly from fishing, agriculture and livestock (Central Valley), timber (south), and especially mining, notably copper (Andes). In addition to Easter Island in the Pacific and the Juan Fernández Archipelago (700 km west of Valparaíso), Chile has a territory in Antarctica.

Key Facts

• Type of place: country.

• Location: at the tip of South America on the Pacific coast, west of Argentina.

• Latitude/longitude: 30°00' S, 71°00' W.

• Local time: Heure : 3851

• Capital: Santiago.

• Nature of the state: presidential republic.

• Official language: Spanish.

• Currency: Chilean peso.

• Population: 17,925,262 inhabitants (2018).

• Area: 755,276 km².

• Density: 24 inhabitants/km².

• Highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado (6,891 m).

• Lowest point: sea level.

• Coastline: 6,435 km.

• Driving: on the right.

Tourism

From the vast deserts of the north to the fjords and glaciers of Patagonia, Chile—despite its sometimes European appearance—is resolutely a "nature destination" and perhaps the one offering the greatest diversity in this part of the continent. It’s no surprise that it remains in the top three (alongside Argentina and Brazil) of the most visited South American countries. Each year, over 5.5 million people visit Chile (5.723 million in 2018), mostly from neighboring Argentina, but also from Germany among Europeans. In 2016, 77,000 French travelers visited Chile.

Travel Essentials

• Destination: for beginner travelers.

• By air: France-Santiago.

• Entry requirements: passport valid for at least 6 months after entry date.

• Currency to bring: euros.

• Exchange rate:

• Daily budget for budget travelers:

• Best for accommodation:

• Best for getting around:

• Risks:

• Best time for climate/crowds/prices:

• Interests (out of ★★★★): Nature ★★★★; Adventure ★★★★; Culture ★★; Relaxation/Holidays ★/★★

Useful Addresses

Socio-Economic Statistics

• "Quality of life": 44/188 (rank in 2018)

• GDP per capita: $24,600 (2017)

• Average monthly income: ()

• Inflation: +2.2% (2017)

• "Official" unemployment: 6.7% (2017)

• Population below poverty line: 14.4% (2013)

• Life expectancy: 79.1 years (2018)

• Migration rate per 1,000 inhabitants: +0.3 (2017)

• Population growth: +0.75% (2018)

• Literacy rate: 97.5% (2015)

• Urban population: 87.6% (2018)

• Press freedom: 38/180 (rank in 2018)

• Political regime: flawed democracy (23/167 in 2018)

Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook