Country
Countries A-Z
Chile
Republic of Chile
República de Chile
Political Status: Independent republic since 1818; present constitution approved September 11, 1980 (in effect from March 11, 1981), partially superseding military regime instituted in 1973; fully effective as of March 11, 1990.
Area: 292,256 sq. mi. (756,945 sq. km.).
Population: 17,812,785 (2012E—UN); 17,028,743 (2012E—U.S. Census).
Major Urban Centers (2005E): SANTIAGO (4,771,000), Puente Alto (602,000), Antofagasta (306,000), Viña del Mar (288,000), Valparaíso (260,000), Concepción (215,000).
Official Language: Spanish.
Monetary Unit: Peso (market rate October 3, 2011: 525.85 pesos = $1US).
President: Sebastián PIÑERA Echenique (Coalition for Change-National Renovation); elected in runoff balloting on January 17, 2010, and inaugurated on March 11 for a four-year term, succeeding Michelle BACHELET (Socialist Party of Chile).
The Country
Occupying a narrow strip along about 2,700 miles of South America's west coast, the Chilean national ...