Chile Snapshot

Chile is located in Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru. With total land area about 748,800 square kilometers, Chile is slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana of the United States.

Based on July 2004 estimate, Chile has 15,823,957 population, including white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%. Spanish is the official language in Chile.

Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government was established. Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. It uses Chilean peso as its currency. Based on January 2003 exchange rate, US$1 equal to 691.433 Chilean pesos.

Chile has a modern telephone system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities. In 2002, there are about 3.575 million Internet users in Chile.

Santiago is Chile's capital and largest city mixed with modern skyscrapers and 19th-century European architectures. The Plaza de Armas, the Museo Historico Nacional, the Casa Colorada, the Museo Precolombino, the Plaza de la Constitucion, and the Cerro Santa Lucia, are sightseeing highlights and tourist attractions of beautiful Santiago.

Valparaiso, located about 75 miles northwest of Santiago, is a busy port on Chile's Pacific Coast. Vina del Mar, situated 6 miles north of Valparaiso, is a summer resort with sandy beaches, beautiful gardens, and luxury hotels.

Puerto Montt is situated in the Chilean Lake district, one of the most beautiful regions.

Puerto Arenas is the gateway to Patagonia region. Nearby Penguin Island is a reserve for penguin natural habitat.

Torres del Paine National Park, near Puerto Natales, offers visitors lifetime opportunity to see breathtaking natural beauty of the Chilean Patagonia.