| CHILE |
| 15th century: �The Inca moved into Chile, but were halted by the Araucanian Indians |
| 1536:Diego de Almagro claimed Chile as part of the Spanish Empire for Pizarro |
| 1541: The Spaniard Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago |
| 1810:Chile began to fight for independence from Spain in 1810.� Bernardo O?Higgins led the revolt.� Although initial revolts were suppressed, Chilean patriots eventually joined with the armies of Jose de San Martin's forces and invaded Chile by crossing the Andes Mountains. The Spanish were quickly defeated and one of the revolution's heroes, Bernardo O'Higgins, became the new country's leader. Unable to establish a stable government, O'Higgins left the country in 1823 and Chilean politics remained unstable for several years. |
| 1817:Troops led by Jose de San Martin crossed from Argentina to aid O'Higgins. |
| 1818:�Chile was liberated. |
| 19th-early 20th centuries: �Power held by conservative landowners. |
| 1879-84:Chile fought the War of the Pacific against Peru and Bolivia. Victorious, Chile gained territory in the two wars. |
| Late 1920s-1940s: Chile was governed by liberal and radical regimes, but social and economic change was slow. |
| 1970: Salvador Allende?s socialist government was elected and introduced major changes, including land reform. |
| 1973: Allende was assassinated, General Pinochet seized power in a US-backed military coup; thousands and thousands of left wing opponents were brutally killed, imprisoned, tortured and exiled. |
| 1990: Multi-party rule restored. � |
| BACKGROUND |
| It's average width is less than 100 but total square miles are 289,112. Chile's territory includes Isla de Pascua and Isla Sala Gomez. |
| Because of its north-to-south distance, Chile has many different climates and landscapes. The climate ranges from subtropical in the north to moderate in the central region and subarctic in the south. One can find deserts, swamps, forests, the Andes Mountains, beautiful lakes, rich agricultural regions, volcanoes, and a wide variety of plants and animals. Chile has been called the "Switzerland of South America" for its natural beauty. The country is subject to earthquakes. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile's seasons are opposite those in North America; summer is between December and March. |
| HISTORY |
| Ferdinand Magellan became the first European to sight Chilean shores in 1520, after successfully navigating around the southern tip of the American continent. Diego de Almagro claimed Chile as part of the Spanish Empire for Pizarro in 1536, and Pedro de Valdivia commenced the Spanish conquest in 1541 against very strong Indian resistance. Chileans now revere many early Indian warriors, such as Caupolican, as national heroes. |
| Chile began to fight for independence from Spain in 1810. Although initial revolts were suppressed, Chilean patriots eventually joined with the armies of Jose de San Martin's forces and invaded Chile by crossing the Andes mountains. The Spanish were quickly defeated and one of the revolution's heroes, Bernardo O'Higgins, became the new country's leader. Unable to establish a stable government, O'Higgins left the country in 1823 and Chilean politics remained unstable for several years. After 1830, however, stability and a period of reform allowed Chile to make progress. From 1879 to 1884, Chile fought the War of the Pacific against Peru and Bolivia. Victorious, Chile annexed the provinces of Africa and Antofagasta in the north. |
| There were less stable governments and military interventions until elections in 1932. A civil war followed in the latte 1880's. During most of the 20th century, Chile concentrated on promoting economic growth and addressing social problems. By 1970, many people had become convinced that socialism could solve some of those problems without hindering growth. That feeling allowed Salvador Allende to become the first freely elected Marxist president in South America. But Allende's policies were too radical and the country faced economic disaster by the end of 1972. Because of the chaos, General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte led a military coup in 1973 that ended Allende's socialist government. |
| Backed by the military, Pinochet ruled by decree. He determined that authoritarianism was better than liberal democracy. In 1980, a new constitution gave him the right to rule until 1988. In 1988, Pinochet subjected himself to a plebiscite to determine if he should continue in power or allow free elections. Upon losing the plebiscite, he called for elections in December 1989. The centrist-left candidate, Patricio Aylwin Azocar, defeated Pinochet's choice for president. Alywin took office in 1990 as the first elected president since 1970. Pinochet continues to wield power as head of the armed forces, a post from which he cannot legally be removed. Despite his reputation for years of human-rights abuses and a dictatorial style, Pinochet is credited for building a successful and productive economy. Aylwin built upon that strong base with innovative programs, allowing Chile to be among the most prosperous of Latin American countries. Aylwin is especially credited with implementing successful antipoverty programs and maintaining a delicate balance between opposing political forces. |
| Aylwin did not run for reelection in 1993 but supported Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, who took office in March 1994. The son of a former president, Frei is very popular in Chile. He has emphasized even more social spending for Aylwin's antipoverty measures. Frei seeks closer economic ties with the United States and Canada and constitutional reforms to reduce the military's political power. |
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| THE PEOPLE |
| Population |
| The population of Chile is about 14.2 million and is growing annually at 1.5 percent, one of the lowest rates among all South American countries. Only about 15 percent of the population live in rural areas. More than four million people live in the Santiago region. About 95 percent of the people have either a European heritage or are mestizo (mixed European-Native American descent.) Only three percent are pure Native American (Indian) and two percent have other ethnic origins. |
| Language |
| Spanish, called Castellano, is the official language. However, as in all South American coutnries, some terms common to Chile will not have the same meaning elsewhere. English is taught in the schools and understood by many in the larger cities. Small minorities also speak German (southern Chile), Italian, and Mapuche, an Indian language. |
| Religion |
| Most Chileans profess a Christian faith. It is estimated that more than 80 percent of the people belong to various Protestant groups or other Christian churches. There is a small Jewish minority, and many Indians follow traditional beliefs. Church and state are separated and religious freedom is guaranteed. |
| General Attitudes |
| The Chilean people are friendly, both among themselves and with strangers. The people are known for their sharp and witty sense of humor. This and their cultural and educational refinements have earned them the distinction of being called the "British of South America." They take pride in their literacy, their nation and their heritage. People commonly express confidence and optimism when asked how they view Chile and education enables many poorer people to excel and build a better life. Chileans respect the elderly, they are a law-abiding, pragmatic people who believe in progress. |
| Personal Appearance |
| Fashion follows European style and is quite sophisticated in urban areas. Individuals take considerable pride in their appearance. Even in rural areas, where people are not as wealthy, it is important to be neatly and cleanly dressed and to wear accessories. Many Chileans consider sloppy or tattered clothing to be in poor taste. |
| CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES |
| Greetings |
| Greetings in Chile are very important because they stress an individual is welcome and recognized. The abrazo is the most common greeting among friends and relatives. It consists of a handshake and hug, sometimes supplemented with a kiss to the right cheek for women or family members. A handshake is appropriate when meeting someone for the first time. Eye contact is considered essential when greeting someone. Traditional verbal greeting include �Qui'ubo? (What's up?), �como est�! (How are you?), and !Gusto de verte! (Nice to see you). Men stand to greet a woman entering the room. Chileans show significant outward affection to friends and relatives. The abrazo is repeated with each individual when one leaves a small social gathering of friends or family. |
| Chileans customarily use titles when addressing people. The title used depends on the situation. Se�or (Mr.) Se�ora (Mrs.), and Se�orita (Miss) are common for strangers and acquaintances, as are professional titles (Doctor, Director, Profesor). When speaking with elderly men and women and other respected individuals, one use Don and Do�a with their first name to show special respect and familiarity. |
| Gestures |
| Eye contact correct posture are important during conversation, while excessive hand gestures are avoided. Yawns are suppressed or politely concealed with the hand. One does not beckon other people with hand gestures, except for a waiter in a restaurant. Items, including money, are handed, not tossed, to other people. Respect and courtesy are important to Chileans. |
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| Visiting |
| Unlike in some other areas of South America, guests wait outside the door of a home until invited inside. Dinner guests often bring flowers, wine, or bread for the host family. Guests invited to lunch might offer to bring a dessert, such as cookies or ice cream. It is appropriate to greet the head of the family first. Chileans appreciate guests who show genuine interest in their children. Light, casual conversation usually precedes any business discussion; political topics are avoided unless initiated by the host. Guests are usually offered something to eat. |
| LIFESTYLE |
| Family |
| The family unit in Chile encompasses the extended family. While men have tended to dominate private and public life in the past, recent years have seen a change in the attitudes about women in the home and professional world. Nearly 30 percent of the labor force is female. Many women hold key political and business positions in Chile. And while the father takes the lead in the family, the mother has considerable influence on decisions. The relationship between the husband and wife is characterized by reciprocity, with the man performing courtesies for the woman and vice versa. |
| It is customary for a child to bear two family names; the last name is the mother's family name, which is the official surname. Therefore, a person named Jos� Felipe Correa Peres could use his full name or be addressed as Se�or Correa. |
| Dating and Marriage |
| Young people begin dating around the time they are 16. Group dating is emphasized early on. Men begin to marry at about age 22 and women marry between 18 and 23. Couples often date from one to three years before getting engaged. Getting an education before marriage is often important. Traditional Christian wedding ceremonies are common. The Catholic Church does not recognize divorce, but legal means of canceling or nullifying a marriage are available. |
| Diet |
| Many national dishes are prepared with fish, seafood, chicken, beef, eggs, and corn. The main meal is eaten at midday, between 12:30 and 2:30 P.M. A lighter meal is eaten between 8:00 and 10:00 P.M. During the afternoon, teatime is customary. At teatime, a beverage, small sandwiches and cookies or cakes are served. |
| There are large supermarkets in major cities. Traveling markets (ferias) provide fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and flowers to smaller cities and towns. What is eaten depends on the region, but some favorites include empanadas de horno (meat turnover with beef, hard-boiled eggs, onions, olives, and raisins,) cazuela de ave (chicken soup,) and seafood casseroles and stews. On rainy days, children enjoy eating sopipillas, which are made from a deep-fried pumpkin dough sprinkled with sugar. |
| Recreation |
| Popular activities include sports, theater, music, and movies. Futbol (soccer) is the most popular sport. Chileans also enjoy swimming and going to parks. During the summer, vacations to the coast or the countryside are common. In a nation with a very long coastline, Chileans enjoy fishing as well. Weekend or holiday barbecues are frequent social gatherings. In areas where cattle have been important, the rodeo is very popular. The rodeo in Chile is very different from that in the U.S. Cowboys (huasos) wear hand-woven capes and straw hats. The main event consists of a pair of huasos skillfully guiding their horses to trap a steer against a paddled arena wall. Points are earned for the portion of the steer that is pinned. |
| �Holidays |
| Chile's important holidays include New Year's Day, Eastern, Labor Day (1 May), Naval Battle of Iquique (21 May), Independence Day (18 September), Armed Forces Day (1 November), and Christmas. The independence holiday is celebrated at parks where people eat empanadas, drink chicha (a sweet drink made with fermented grapes), and dance the cueca (the national dance) to guitar music. Christmas is celebrated much the same way as it is in North America, but it takes place in summer rather than winter, making some activities different from those in the Northern Hemisphere. |
| Commerce |
| In Santiago, Chile's capital, and other large cities, people usually work from 9:00 A.M. to 6: 00 P.M., five or six days a week. Depending on the location, however, siesta hours (mid-day meal break) are still observed, and shops and offices may close for a couple of hours. Chile has an active and modern business climate; its exports and investments link it to world markets. |
| Economic Situation |
| According to Deutsche-Sudamerikanische Bank, Chile is at the fore front of market reform in Latin America, having begun liberalizing foreign and privatizing state-owned companies some 20 years ago. These initiatives were followed in the nineteen-eighties by measures to encourage saving through, for example, the creation of private pension funds, and by steps to diversify exports. The central bank through flexible and stability-oriented monetary and exchange-rate policies are supporting the reforms.IBID Civilian governments, while continuing to pursue market-oriented reform, have placed more emphasis on the social implications of such policies. |
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