Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
CIA - The World Factbook The World Factbook Home
CIA - The World Factbook
South America :: Chile
page last updated on May 19, 2010
Flag of Chile
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Chile
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Chile
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of Chile
 
Navigation Arrow view 3 photos Opens in New Window
of Chile
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Chile
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while the indigenous Mapuche inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions. It was not until the 1880s that the Mapuche Indians were completely subjugated. After a series of elected governments, a three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, have contributed to steady growth, reduced poverty rates by over half, and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.
Back to Top
Geography ::Chile
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
30 00 S, 71 00 W
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 756,102 sq km
country comparison to the world: 38
land: 743,812 sq km
water: 12,290 sq km
note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 6,339 km
border countries: Argentina 5,308 km, Bolivia 860 km, Peru 171 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6,435 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200/350 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Current Weather
temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 2.62%
permanent crops: 0.43%
other: 96.95% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
19,000 sq km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
922 cu km (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 12.55 cu km/yr (11%/25%/64%)
per capita: 770 cu m/yr (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions
Back to Top
People ::Chile
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
16,746,491 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 22.7% (male 1,946,217/female 1,858,277)
15-64 years: 67.9% (male 5,690,402/female 5,688,174)
65 years and over: 9.3% (male 653,772/female 909,649) (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 31.7 years
male: 30.7 years
female: 32.8 years (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.856% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14.46 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 88% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 7.52 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 166
male: 8.29 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 77.53 years
country comparison to the world: 57
male: 74.26 years
female: 80.96 years (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.9 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
31,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,100 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Chilean(s)
adjective: Chilean
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
white and white-Amerindian 95.4%, Mapuche 4%, other indigenous groups 0.6% (2002 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3% (2002 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 95.7%
male: 95.8%
female: 95.6% (2002 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.2% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 141
Back to Top
Government ::Chile
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Republic of Chile
conventional short form: Chile
local long form: Republica de Chile
local short form: Chile
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Santiago
geographic coordinates: 33 27 S, 70 40 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March
note: the Chilean Government announced on 4 March 2010 that the end of DST would be delayed until 4 April 2010 providing respite to those affected by the 8.8 magnitude earthquake of February 2010
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Arica y Parinacota, Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Los Rios, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso
note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 September 1810 (from Spain)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 1989, 1991, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, and 2005
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; note - in June 2005, Chile completed overhaul of its criminal justice system to a US-style adversarial system
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: President Sebastian PINERA Echenique (since 11 March 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Sebastian PINERA Echenique (since 11 March 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president elected by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 13 December 2009 with runoff election held on 17 January 2010 (next to be held in December 2013)
election results: Sebastian PINERA Echenique elected president; percent of vote - Sebastian PINERA Echenique 51.6%; Eduardo FREI 48.4%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (38 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve eight-year terms; one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 13 December 2009 (next to be held in December 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 13 December 2009 (next to be held in December 2013)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 9 (PDC 4, PPD 3, PS 2), APC 9 (RN 6, UDI 3); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 57 (PDC 19, PPD 18, PS 11, PRSD 5, other 4), APC 58 (UDI 37, RN 18, other 3), PC 3, independent 1, other 3
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected every three years by the 20-member court); Constitutional Tribunal (eight-members - two each from the Senate, Chamber of Deputies, Supreme Court, and National Security Council - review the constitutionality of laws approved by Congress)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Alliance for Chile (Alianza) or APC (including National Renewal or RN [Carlos LARRAIN Pena] and Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Juan Antonio COLOMA Correa]); Coalition of Parties for Democracy (Concertacion) or CPD (including Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Juan Carlos LATORRE Carmona], Socialist Party or PS [Camilo ESCALONA Medina], Party for Democracy or PPD [Pepe AUTH Stewart], and Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Jose Antonio GOMEZ Urrutia]); Communist Party or PC [Guillermo TEILLIER del Valle]; Humanist Party [Marilen CABRERA Olmos]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Roman Catholic Church, particularly conservative groups such as Opus Dei; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations
other: revitalized university student federations at all major universities
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
APEC, BIS, CAN (associate), CD, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OECD (accession state), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Roberto Eduardo MATUS Harris
chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746
FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Paul E. SIMONS
embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago
mailing address: APO AA 34033
telephone: [56] (2) 330-3000
FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710, 330-3160
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence
note: design was influenced by the US flag
Back to Top
Economy ::Chile
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Exports account for more than one-fourth of GDP, with commodities making up some three-quarters of total exports. Copper alone provides one-third of government revenue. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the situation in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. In the years since then, growth has averaged 4% per year. Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took effect on 1 January 2004. Chile claims to have more bilateral or regional trade agreements than any other country. It has 57 such agreements (not all of them full free trade agreements), including with the European Union, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico. Over the past five years, foreign direct investment inflows have quadrupled to some $17 billion in 2008, but FDI dropped to about $7 billion in 2009 in the face of diminished investment throughout the world. The Chilean government conducts a rule-based countercyclical fiscal policy, accumulating surpluses in sovereign wealth funds during periods of high copper prices and economic growth, and allowing deficit spending only during periods of low copper prices and growth. As of September 2008, those sovereign wealth funds - kept mostly outside the country and separate from Central Bank reserves - amounted to more than $20 billion. Chile used $4 billion from this fund to finance a fiscal stimulus package to fend off recession. The economy was starting to show signs of a rebound in the fourth quarter, 2009, although GDP still fell more than 1% for the year. In December 2009, the OECD invited Chile to become a full member, after a two year period of compliance with organization mandates. The magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck Chile in February 2010 was one of the top ten strongest earthquakes on record. It caused considerable damage near the epicenter, located about 70 miles from Concepcion - and about 200 miles southwest of Santiago.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$243.7 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$248 billion (2008 est.)
$240.3 billion (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$152.1 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-1.7% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
3.2% (2008 est.)
4.7% (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$14,700 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
$15,100 (2008 est.)
$14,700 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 4.8%
industry: 50.5%
services: 44.7% (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.42 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 13.2%
industry: 23%
services: 63.9% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
7.8% (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18.2% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 41.7% (2006)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
54.9 (2003)
country comparison to the world: 14
57.1 (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20.5% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $31.31 billion
expenditures: $37.87 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
9% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
5.2% of GDP (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.7% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
8.7% (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.25% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 72
6% (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13.26% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 107
8.67% (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$14.72 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 43
$16.6 billion (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$73.66 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 28
$80.42 billion (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$116.4 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 38
$127.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$132.4 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 34
$212.9 billion (31 December 2007)
$174.6 billion (31 December 2006)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
60.6 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
57.29 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.628 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
11,190 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
277,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
49,250 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
311,200 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
150 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.65 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.34 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
690 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
97.97 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-$50 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
-$3.44 billion (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$48.85 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$66.46 billion (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
China 14.1%, US 11.3%, Japan 10.4%, Brazil 5.9%, South Korea 5.7%, Netherlands 5.2%, Italy 4.4% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$40.91 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$57.61 billion (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
US 19.1%, China 11.9%, Brazil 9.2%, Argentina 8.8%, South Korea 5.5%, Japan 4.6% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$25.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$23.08 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$60.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$64.77 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$115 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$108.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$32.07 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
$25.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar - 569.37 (2009), 509.02 (2008), 526.25 (2007), 530.29 (2006), 560.09 (2005)
Back to Top
Communications ::Chile
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.526 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 43
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14.797 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 45
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: privatization begun in 1988; most advanced telecommunications infrastructure in South America; modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations
domestic: fixed-line connections have dropped in recent years as mobile-cellular usage continues to increase, reaching a level of 90 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 56; landing points for the Pan American, South America-1, and South American Crossing/Latin America Nautilius submarine cables providing links to the US and to Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
AM 180, FM 64, shortwave 17 (1998)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.cl
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
877,817 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 40
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.456 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 43
Back to Top
Transportation ::Chile
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
357 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 22
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 81
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 22
914 to 1,523 m: 24
under 914 m: 22 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 276
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 50
under 914 m: 212 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
gas 2,673 km; liquid petroleum gas 519 km; oil 892 km; refined products 769 km (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 5,483 km
country comparison to the world: 34
broad gauge: 1,706 km 1.676-m gauge (850 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 3,777 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 80,505 km
country comparison to the world: 57
paved: 16,745 km (includes 2,414 km of expressways)
unpaved: 63,760 km (2004)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 44
country comparison to the world: 75
by type: bulk carrier 9, cargo 7, chemical tanker 8, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 3
registered in other countries: 40 (Argentina 7, Brazil 1, Cyprus 1, Isle of Man 6, Marshall Islands 4, Norway 2, Panama 12, Singapore 6, Venezuela 1) (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Coronel, Huasco, Lirquen, Puerto Ventanas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso
Back to Top
Military ::Chile
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Army of the Nation, Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes Naval Aviation, Marine Corps, and Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh), Carabineros Corps (Cuerpo de Carabineros) (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18-45 years of age for voluntary male and female military service, although the right to compulsory recruitment is retained; service obligation - 12 months for Army, 22 months for Navy and Air Force (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 4,301,900
females age 16-49: 4,232,956 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 3,599,328
females age 16-49: 3,544,156 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 143,778
female: 138,058 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.7% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 52
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Chile
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reinvigorated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile has offered instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile to Bolivian gas and other commodities; Chile rejects Peru's unilateral legislation to change its latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis favoring Peru, in October 2007, Peru took its maritime complaint with Chile to the ICJ; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001, has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the region; some money laundering activity, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant consumer of cocaine (2008)
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
The online Factbook is updated bi-weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.