| CHILE |
| " Chile is a ribbon of land squashed between the Pacific and the Andes. Its landscape embraces glacial wilderness and moonscape, lakes and volcanoes, beaches and salt flats and the burnt colours of the driest desert in the world. In one day it is possible to scale a mountain with ice axe and crampons, soak off the exhaustion in a thermal bath and rest beneath the stars of the Southern Cross. Real stargazera will want to visit the astronomical observatories , while lovers of mystery will head for the folklore of Chiloe, Land of the Seagulls. Chile is famous for its wines and seafood, both among the most celebrated in the world, and for the legacy of its recent turbulent politics, which inspired headlines around the globe, but also some of the continent's most comitted singers and writers." Taken from Footprints South American Handbook 2003. |
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| Map of Chile |
| Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean between Argentina and Peru. Land boundaries: Total: 6,171 km Border countries:Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km Coastline: 6,435 km Climate:Temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool & damp in south Terrain: Low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east. Natural hazards: Severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis Population: 15,498,930 (July 2002 est) Languages: Spanish Government type: Republic Independance: 18th Septamber 1810 (from Spain) Suffrage: 18 years of age; unniversal and compulsory Imports: $18 billion Exports: $18.5 billion Currency: Chilean pesco |
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| Chilean flag, click to enlarge |
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