Chile

By Shiv Mirpuri

Quick Facts

• Officially called the Republic of Chile.

• Situated in South America between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean.

• Borders Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Drake Passage.

• Population - 17.3 million.

• Capital - Santiago.

• Language Spoken - Spanish.

• Currency - Chilean Peso.

• Earthquakes and Volcanic eruptions.

• Includes the Pacific Islands of Juan Fernandez,

Salas y Gómez, Desventuradas and Easter

Island.

Physical Features

• It is the longest north-south country in the world (4630km) so has a remarkable variety of landscapes.

• The Andes - longest continental mountain range in the world.

• The central Andes makes the most defining feature of the Chilean border.

• Resulted by the collision of the South American continental plate and the oceanic Pacific plate.

• Includes some of the highest peaks in the world.

North Chile

Atacama Desert• Driest desert in the world.

• Composed mostly of salt lakes and sand.

• The soil has been compared to that of Mars.

• Rich in copper and nitrate deposits.

• Location of Chilean mining accident (2010) where 33 miners were rescued after 69 days trapped underground.

North Chile

Active volcanoes• E.g ‘Ojos del Salado’( ‘eyes of salt) in the

Andes is the highest volcano in the world at 6893m.

Loa River• U - shaped river in the north.

• Chile’s longest river at 440km.

• Main watercourse in the Atacama.

La Serena• City in northern Chile

• Fastest growing area of Chile.

• Important beach destination in summer.

Central Chile• Home to the majority of the population.

• Includes the three largest metropolitan areas-Santiago, Valparaíso and Concepción.

• Has the richest agricultural land in the country.

• Grape country to the best Chilean wines.

• Contains more than 70 of Chile’s active volcanoes e.g Calabazos.

Maipo River

• Main river flowing through Santiago Metropolitan Region

• 250km long

• Source is the Maipo Volcano in the Andes.

Central Chile

Viña del Mar• City in Central Chile’s Pacific Coast.

• Meaning ‘Vineyard by the Sea’.

• Long stretches of white sandy beaches.

• Chile’s fourth largest city.

Santiago• Capital city

• Financial, cultural and political centre of Chile.

• Founded by Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Valdivia in 1541.

• Population around 5.5 million.

South Chile• Also known as Chilean Patagonia.• Home to the Lake District of Chile.• Between lakes, there are rivers,

waterfalls, forests, the Andes and volcanoes.

General Carreras• Biggest Lake in Chile.

Baker River• Largest river in Chile in terms of

volume of water.

Villarica• One of Chile’s most active volcanoes (

last eruption-2007)

Punta Arenas• Largest city in the Magallanes region

of Patagonia.• Free Port.

Climate

• Seasons opposite times from northern hemisphere.

• Dec., Jan., Feb. = Summer.

• June, July, Aug. = Winter.

North Chile• Very arid

• World’s lowest amounts of precipitation (rain) in the Atacama since it is in the rain shadow between high Andes and Chilean Coast Range.

• Highest levels of solar radiation.

Climate

Central Chile• Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and moderately

wet, cool winters.

South Chile• Snow-prone Alpine climate with glaciers, fjords and lakes.

• Rainy and windier climate than in the north.

Primary Industries

Copper Mining• One eighth of the population employed in

mining.• CODELCO – state-owned.

Other Mining• Gold and Silver• World leader in natural nitrate production.

Forestry• Woodchips and pulp production.

Fishing• Salmon - large Chilean export.

Agriculture• Large producer of apples, pears and grapes.

Secondary Industries

• Food processing and export.

• Production and export of wine around the world.

• Tobacco, drink production and plastic production.

• Large textile, clothing and leather industry.

Tertiary Industries

Tourism• Beauty of landscape.

• Incan history.

Media• Three national newspapers.

• 45% of population had internet access in 2010.

Transportation• Aviation is important because of Chile’s geography.

• Buses used too for long distances.

• Railways not commonly used.

• Santiago Metro.

Quaternary Industries

Government• Major employer in Chile.

• President = Sebastián Piñera.

Scientific Research• 22 institutes conducting research on

agriculture, natural sciences and technology.

Education• Adult literacy rate = 95.6% in 2004.

Immigration

• In 2007, Chile ranked 15th out of 18 Latin American countries on openness to migrants.

• Chile’s immigrant population has grown more than any other South American country.

• Due to increased democratic and economic stability.

• Largest immigrant groups = Argentina, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador respectively.

• (Both my uncles have immigrated to Chile).

Immigration

Concerns and Fears over Peruvian Migrants

• Since 1992, there has been an increase of 394%.

• Concentrated in Santiago, making them more visible.

• Physical features look like indigenous features- associated with poverty and lack of education.

• Chilean press responsible for creating sense of fear towards Peruvian influx.

Conclusion

Overall Chile is a beautiful country with spectacular views of the Andes and other natural landscapes which attract tourists. It is a great place to live and visit since it is a thriving country full of diversity and culture.