Country's Full Name: Republic of Chile/República de Chile

Brief History: The original inhabitants the Mapuches or Araucanos, roamed and settled 10,000 years back mostly in central and southern parts. Incas ruled the northern region. A Spaniard ‘Pedro de Valdivia’ found Santiago the present capital of Chile in 1541. Chile declared itself independent from Spain on September 18, 1810 which was finally recognized in 1844. The “War of Pacific” (1879-1883) increased the boundaries by including the northern mineral rich Atacama Desert from Peru and Bolivia. The leftist government led by Salvador Allende was overthrown by military dictator General Augusto Pinochet in 1973. Power was peacefully transferred to democratically elected multi-party Concertación coalition in 1990. Pinochet was stripped of his immunity and tried of kidnapping charges by Chilean court. He died unceremoniously in 2006. Ms. Michelle Bachelet is the first woman President of Chile elected in 2006.

What is the country known for: Atacama Desert in the north is the driest place on earth.
Chile is the longest (North - South) country in the world - over 4,200 km (2,610 mi).
Punta Arenas is the southernmost city in the world.

Main Industries:
Copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles

Main Trading Partners:
Exports: $67.64 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities: copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine
Exports - partners: China 14.8%, US 12.5%, Japan 10.5%, Netherlands 5.8%, South Korea 5.7%, Italy 5.1%, Brazil 5% (2007)
Imports: $43.99 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas
Imports - partners: US 16.7%, China 11.2%, Brazil 10.3%, Argentina 9.9% (2007)

Major Cities:
Santiago, 5,333,100 (metro. area), 4,372,800 (city proper)
Viña del Mar, 303,100; Valparaíso, 274,100; Talcahuano, 252,800; Temuco, 247,200; Concepción, 217,600

Location:
Long narrow strip in Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Geographic coordinates: 30 00 S, 71 00 W

Size:
Area:
total: 756,950 sq km
land: 748,800 sq km
water: 8,150 sq km
note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez

Area - comparative: slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

Time Zone:
Chile uses 4 different UTC offsets:

The mainland uses UTC-4, and in summer as daylight saving time UTC-3.
Easter Island uses UTC-6, and in summer as daylight saving time UTC-5.

Type of Government:
Chile is a federal republic headed by publicly elected President.
Chief and head of state: President Michelle Bachelet Jeria (since 11 March 2006).
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)

National Holidays:

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
2 Apr Good Friday.
3 Apr Holy Saturday.
1 May Labour Day.
21 May Navy Day.
3 Jun *Corpus Christi.
29 Jun *St Peter and St Paul.
15 Aug Assumption.
11 Sep Reconciliation Day.
18 Sep Independence Day.
19 Sep Army Day.
11 Oct *Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day).
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2011
1 Jan New Year's Day.
22 Apr Good Friday.
23 Apr Holy Saturday.
1 May Labour Day.
21 May Navy Day.
23 Jun *Corpus Christi.
29 Jun *St Peter and St Paul.
15 Aug Assumption.
11 Sep Reconciliation Day.
18 Sep Independence Day.
19 Sep Army Day.
12 Oct *Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day).
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
*If Corpus Christi, St Peter and St Paul and Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day) fall on a day other than Saturday, Sunday or Monday, the holiday is usually held on the nearest Monday.

Population:
16,432,536 (growth rate: 0.8%); birth rate: 14.8/1000; infant mortality rate: 8.1/1000; life expectancy: 77.1 (male: 73.88 years, female: 80.59 years (2008 est.); density per sq mi: 21

0-14 years: 23.6% (male 1,987,962/female 1,899,489)
15-64 years: 67.6% (male 5,556,867/female 5,563,666)
65 years and over: 8.8% (male 602,789/female 843,370) (2008 est.)

Religion:
Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3% (2002 census)

Language:
Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English

Local Customs:
Politeness is appreciated from everybody in Chile. Always remove your headgear and say “permiso” when entering offices/homes. Always say “Buenos dias” (until midday) and “Buenos tardes” (in the afternoon and evening) to greet.
Never be impatient and criticize in public.
Bargaining is not common in Chile as most products are sold at very low offers.
Always ask before taking pictures and videos.

Best Time to go:
The northern parts consisting of Atacama Desert can be visited year round. The southern parts are snow capped during winter months from April to mid-September, avoid it during these times. Spring time (September to November) is best as nature blooms at this time.


Currency:

1 US Dollar = 632.903 Chilean Peso
1 Chilean Peso (CLP) = 0.001580 US Dollar (USD)

1 British Pound = 1,079.77 Chilean Peso
1 Chilean Peso (CLP) = 0.0009261 British Pound (GBP)

1 Euro = 849.210 Chilean Peso
1 Chilean Peso (CLP) = 0.001178 Euro (EUR)

Customs Regulations: Tobacco and spirits (only for those over 18 years of age), in quantities not to exceed 400 units of cigarettes (two cartons), 500 grams of pipe tobacco and 50 cigars, plus two and a half liters of alcoholic beverages.

Tipping:
Waiters in restaurants can be tipped 10% of bill. Tip of US $0.50 per piece of baggage is appropriate for railway porters; airport porters charge US $1. Cloakroom attendants should be paid about US $0.20.
Tour guides can be paid $2-$10 depending on service.