National language of Chile. Chile. Geography, description and characteristics of the country

CHILE
The Republic of Chile is a state located on the southwestern coast of South America between the Andes mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean. The length of Chile from the city of Arica in the north to Cape Horn in the south is 4025 km, area - 756.6 thousand square meters. km, while the width of its territory nowhere exceeds 360 km. The mainland of Chile borders Peru in the north, is washed by the Pacific Ocean in the west and south, and Bolivia and Argentina are located in the east behind the Andes ridges. Through the Strait of Magellan, Chile has access to the Atlantic Ocean. Chile also owns several small islands in the Pacific Ocean: Easter Island, the islands of Sala y Gomez, San Felix, San Ambrosio, the Juan Fernandez group of islands, as well as the Diego Ramirez islands 100 km southwest of Cape Horn .

Chile. The capital is Santiago. Population - 14.8 million people (1998). Urban population - 86%, rural - 14%. Population density - 20 people per 1 sq. km. Area - 756.6 thousand square meters. km. The most high point- Mount Ojos del Salado (6893 m). Official language- Spanish. The dominant religion is Catholicism. Administrative-territorial division - 13 regions (including the Capital Region). Currency: pesos = 1000 escudos. National holiday: Independence Day - September 18-19. National anthem: "Dear Motherland, take our oath."

Chile is divided into three geographical and climatic regions. The northern desert and the cold south of the country have not yet been fully developed, while the humid (subhumid) region of Central Chile is the most economically developed territory, where approximately 75% of the country's population is concentrated. Chile's population, mostly of mixed origin (mestizo), in 1998 was estimated at 14.8 million people. The country's capital, Santiago, is the center of the country's political, economic, social and cultural life; in 1992 the population of the capital and its suburbs was approx. 5.2 million people.

NATURE
In the relief of Chile, three meridional zones are distinguished: the Andes mountain ranges, stretching along the border with Argentina and Bolivia; structural depression of the Central, or Longitudinal, valley, divided by the spurs of the Andes into separate depressions; and a number of geologically more ancient plateaus ending in steep ledges towards the shore Pacific Ocean. By latitude, Chile is divided into three regions, which differ sharply from each other in climate: Central Chile, Northern Desert and Southern Chile.
Middle Chile. Andes. In the central part of the country, along the 800 km between the cities of Coquimbo and Concepcion, approximately a third of the area is occupied by the Andean highlands. The Andes form a single chain, albeit of a complex structure; above it rise the Tupungato (6570 m) and Maipo (5290 m) volcanoes, and further to the north are the Llullaillaco volcano (6739 m) and the second highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, Ojos del Salado (6893 m). Mountains above 4500 m in the north (at 20° S) and above 3500 m at the latitude of the city of Concepción (36° S) are constantly covered with snow. To the south of the city of Talka, to the west of the main ridge of the Andes, cones of active volcanoes stand out.
Coastal plateaus. Another third in area is the coastal zone. It includes flat remnants of an ancient denudation surface, or peneplain, with heights ranging from 2150 m in the north to 600 m in the south and dissected by steep valleys of small rivers originating on the eastern slope of the Andes. Larger rivers also flowing from the Andes, such as the Bio-Bio and Maule, form wide alluvium-lined valleys and reach the Pacific Ocean. The coast is mostly steep, and only in a few places there are convenient harbors protected by rocky headlands.
Central, or Longitudinal, valley. The structurally determined depression separating the Andes from the coastal zone is divided by remnant hills and mountain spurs into separate depressions, each of which is drained by one or more rivers flowing from the Andes. These rivers carry large amounts of debris and discharge it into the Central Valley in the form of alluvial fans; the westward sloping surface of these cones provides excellent arable land. In the area between the cities of Santiago and Concepción, the mountain spurs jutting into the territory of the depression are low, the individual depressions between them merge into a common low surface, but further to the north a mountain range up to 790 m high separates the valley of the Aconcagua River (part of the Central Valley) from Santiago. Even further north, the spurs of the Andes reach the coastal plateau zone, and the Central Valley narrows and disappears. The valley floor has a general slope to the south, decreasing from 600 m near Santiago to 120 m near the city of Concepcion. In vast fields bordered by poplars and weeping willows, grains are grown, for irrigation of which water from rivers flowing from the Andes is diverted.
Northern Chile. Along the western coast of the continent from 4° S. to 27° S the desert region extends. Within Chile it is called Atacama and stretches for almost 1300 km. The entire area between the cities of Copiapó in the south and Arica in the north is a dismal series of dry depressions, pebble fans and salt marshes, the monotony of which is broken by rare oases and rivers, the largest of which is Loa. The ocean coast is equally rugged, bordered by hills whose rounded peaks rise up to 750 m. The cities of Caldera, Antofagasta and Iquique are located on narrow, elevated sea terraces at the base of the mountain slopes. Each of these port cities is approached by railroads, which climb steep slopes and connect the cities with mining operations in the interior of the country. The main natural wealth of the area is the deposits of copper ores in the Andes, as well as table salt, sodium nitrate and iodine salts mined in the foothill depressions. South of the city of Copiapo, the chain of oases in the foothill depressions continues further south, into the territory of Central Chile; they are located on the rivers Huasco, Elqui, Limari and Copiapo.
Southern Chile. Central Valley. South of the Bio Bio River, the open landscapes of Central Chile give way to dense forests, among which there are occasional farms; this area, poorly developed by agriculture, continues south to 41° S. (city of Puerto Montt). In Southern Chile, the Central Valley has a dissected topography, complicated in the eastern part by hills and ridges of glacial moraines; Behind the ridges there are often dammed lakes. Near Puerto Montt, the bottom of the Central Valley drops below ocean level, and then, for more than 1000 km, mountain peaks rise above the surface of the water, separated by an intricate labyrinth of narrow straits; the system of mountainous islands and narrow winding straits continues further south, along the shores of Tierra del Fuego.
Andes. The altitude of the Southern Andes between the cities of Concepción and Puerto Montt averages approx. 3000 m; It is home to mountain peaks, glacial valleys, lakes and waterfalls that are among the most beautiful in the world. At the latitude of the city of Valdivia (approx. 40° S), the limit of eternal snow is at an altitude of 1500 m, and further to the south the eternal snow and ice caps drop to 700 m above sea level, and some glaciers reach the tops of narrow bays - fjords and form icebergs.
Coastal plateaus. Within Southern Chile, the height of the coastal plateaus is 1500 m in the area of ​​​​the city of Valdivia and gradually decreases to the south; on Chiloe Island the surface of the plateau drops almost to sea level.
Climate and natural vegetation. The climatic conditions of Chile are very diverse, which is explained by the large extent of the country from north to south, the direct influence of the ocean and the cold Peruvian Current (Humboldt Current) passing near the coast, as well as the existence of a Pacific zone of high atmospheric pressure in the region of 25° S. latitude.
Middle part of Chile. This area is characterized by mild winters and dry, warm summers. In Concepción, 760 mm of precipitation falls annually, mainly in the form of winter downpours that accompany the intrusion of humid masses of Antarctic air. The northern annual precipitation rate drops to 360 mm in Santiago and 100 mm in Coquimbo, with rain occurring exclusively in winter. In summer, their occurrence is prevented by an anticyclone that forms in the Pacific center of the barometric maximum. Average winter temperatures are 11°C in Valparaiso, 8°C in Santiago and 12°C in Coquimbo, average summer temperatures are 18, 21 and 18°C, respectively. Along the coast, the cold waters of the Peruvian Current narrow the range of their seasonal differences, but in the interior of the country in winter the temperature can drop to -1° C, and in summer the heat reaches 31° C. On the coast, the dominant type of vegetation is fragmented evergreen broad-leaved woodlands of xerophytic trees, shrubs and turf grasses. Further south, high rainfall favors the development of a sparse deciduous forest of southern beech (Nothofagus), once distributed from the coastal plateaus (900 m above sea level) to 2150 m above sea level. on the slopes of the Andes. Currently, this forest is mostly cut down.
Atacama Desert. An almost complete absence of precipitation is observed from the ocean itself to the line of eternal snow, starting at an altitude of approx. 4600 m above sea level In Iquique, over 20 years of observations, the total amount of atmospheric moisture that fell was only 28 mm. However, constant dense fogs rising from cold coastal waters maintain an average relative humidity of 81% in port cities and relatively low temperature winter and summer (16 and 21° C). The interior of the Atacama is drier, with temperatures often approaching freezing in winter, accompanied by the formation of dense caps of fog on the ground in the pre-dawn hours. A significant part of the Atacama is completely devoid of vegetation. Ephemeral grasses and resinous perennials of the coastal plateaus feed on moisture obtained only from fog and dew. In the range of 2400-3000 m above sea level. The slopes of the Andes are covered with a belt of sparse "tola" vegetation, consisting of feather grass, lepidophyllum bush and Azorella, which provide the local population with a small amount of fodder and fuel.
South of Chile. Western winds prevail here, showers are frequent, and there is a large (sometimes excessive) amount of precipitation. Winters are unusually mild for these latitudes - average temperature is 8°C in Valdivia and Puerto Montt, dropping to 2°C in Punta Arenas. The average summer temperatures of these cities are 17, 16 and 11 ° C. Snow often falls south of Puerto Montt, and the Chilean archipelago is one of the rainiest and wettest places on the planet. On the open slopes it receives approx. 5100 mm of precipitation, and only 51 days a year the sun faintly peeks through the leaden clouds. In Valdivia the annual rainfall is 2600 mm, in Puerto Montt 2200 mm, and in sheltered Punta Arenas - only 480 mm. The vegetation cover is a dense temperate forest of southern beech (nothofagus), conifers and laurel trees with a well-developed shrubby understory. The marshy areas are occupied by the coniferous species Fitzroya patagonica, while the higher slopes are dominated by Araucaria imbricata. The further south you go, the lower the trees. In the Strait of Magellan and on the island of Tierra del Fuego strong winds and low rainfall allow only grass-heather heaths with turf grasses, forbs: ferns, mosses and dwarf trees to develop.
POPULATION AND SOCIETY
Demography. The population of Chile, which according to the 1970 census was 8,884,768 people, increased by the time of the 1992 census to 13,348,401 people, and in 1998 its number was estimated at 14.8 million people. Population growth, at 1.7% per year from the late 1970s through 1993, was one of the lowest in Latin America. In 1996, there were 18 births and 6 deaths per 1000 inhabitants. The infant mortality rate fell from 100 deaths per 1,000 births in 1967 to 14 per 1,000 births in 1996.
Ethnic composition of the population and language. It is estimated that two-thirds of the residents are descended from intermarriages between Indians and European settlers. Significant contribution to ethnic composition modern Chileans were introduced at one time by Basques - colonists who arrived from Spain. The Araucans are a freedom-loving and strong Indian people who successfully defended their independence from both the Incas and the Spaniards, living mainly in the south of the country, between the modern cities of Concepcion and Puerto Montt. A small group of Aymara-speaking Indians live in the far north of Chile; The population of Easter Island (the Rapanui people) also constitutes a special group. According to the 1992 census, almost 10% of the adult population consider themselves indigenous to the country. In the later stages of colonization, there was a significant influx of English, Scots and Irish into the country. The most famous Chilean of Irish descent was Bernardo O'Higgins, who led the fight for the independence of Chile. British Admiral Thomas Cochran was at the origins of the creation navy Chile. After the defeat of the bourgeois-democratic revolution of 1848 in Germany, German immigrants appeared in the country, settling in the rainy and previously undeveloped provinces south of the Bio-Bio River. There they built farms and small factories, and created resort centers in the lake region. In the middle of the 19th century. Small groups of immigrants from Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Yugoslavia arrived in the country. The official language of Chile is Spanish and is spoken by the majority of residents. Although many indigenous people continue to speak Araucano and German, almost all speak fluent Spanish. Many Chileans also speak English and other languages ​​of international communication.
Population distribution. Almost 9/10 of Chileans live in the area between Puerto Montt and Coquimbo, an area less than 1/3 of the country's total area. In Central Chile, which is part of this territory north of the Bio-Bio River, lives approx. 2/3 of the country's population. In most of the Central Valley, located between the cities of Santiago and Concepcion, the rural population density exceeds 50 people per 1 sq. km. In the metropolitan area of ​​Santiago, the population density reaches almost 355 people per 1 sq. km. In Central Chile are located big cities, such as Santiago, Valparaiso and Concepcion, where government offices, universities and financial centers are located. The bulk of the country's most fertile arable land is concentrated here. Most of the country's industrial enterprises are located in or around the capital. The overpopulation of the central regions led, in particular, to the fact that new immigrants began to settle in the forest areas south of the Bio-Bio River, which remained for a long time under the control of the Araucan Indian tribes. German immigrants were the first to arrive here in the mid-19th century. The growth of settlements accelerated significantly after the country's government began to pursue a policy of supporting colonists engaged in agriculture. Some Chileans emigrated to Argentina, settling the lands along the eastern foot of the Andes. The southern third of Chile is very sparsely populated. The existing population is concentrated mainly along the eastern part of the Strait of Magellan in the area of ​​​​Punta Arenas, the southernmost major city in the world. In the three regions of Northern Chile - Tarapaca, Antofagasta and Atacama, the territory of which makes up more than a third of the total area of ​​the country, there are approx. 7% of the population. In the area occupied by the Atacama Desert, approx. 1 million people live in mining and port towns. The bulk of the population here consists of laborers recruited under contract on large farms in Central Chile, where their ancestors were peons until the 20th century. In addition to them, hundreds of specialists with higher education from various countries employed in copper mines.
Cities. Chile is one of the most urbanized countries in Latin America. In 1995 approx. 86% of the country's inhabitants lived in cities, and over half of the total population lived in two central regions - Santiago and Valparaiso. The capital of the country, Santiago, had 5.07 million inhabitants, and together with its suburbs (in particular Puente Alto and San Bernardo with a population of 318,000 and 206,800 people, respectively) - 5.6 million. Valparaiso, the main port of Chile and the seat of the National Congress, in 1995 numbered 282.2 thousand people, and even more lived in the neighboring cities of Viña del Mar (322.2 thousand people) and Quilpue (110.3 thousand people). The large cities of Central Chile also include Rancagua (193.8 thousand people), Talca (169.5 thousand people) and Chillan (157.1 thousand people). Concepción, the second largest city in the country, had 350.3 thousand inhabitants in 1995, and its “twin”, the port city of Talcahuano, had 260.9 thousand. Further to the north, within the agricultural region, is the main city of the province of Coquimbo - La Serena (118 thousand inhabitants). South of the river Bio-Bio's main cities are Temuco (239.3 thousand people), Osorno (123.1 thousand people), Puerto Montt 122.4 thousand people) and Valdivia (119.4 thousand people). In the far south there is only one city - Punta Arenas (117.2 thousand people), located on the shores of the Strait of Magellan. The largest cities in northern Chile are the ports of Antofagasta (236.7 thousand people), Arica (173.3 thousand people) and Iquique (152.6 thousand people).
Religion and church organizations. Although church in Chile was separated from state under the 1925 constitution, more than 80% of the population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. Typically, the church rarely interfered in the political life of the country, but since the late 1960s, following the instructions of papal encyclicals on social issues, as well as under the influence of the social trends of European Catholicism, the Chilean church began to play an important role in carrying out social reforms in the country, and the number of There has been a noticeable increase in socially active clergy. Some clergy contributed to the growth of the influence of the Christian Democratic Party. In 1970, the Catholic Church of Chile officially declared its rejection of capitalism and renounced all its securities, as well as its profitable lands and properties. After 1973, the church condemned torture, murder and kidnapping. In addition to Catholics, in Chile there are influential groups of Protestants (according to the 1992 census, they make up 13% of the population) and adherents of Judaism. The significant influence of the Protestant Church is explained by the strong support from Great Britain and the presence in the country of a number of educational institutions and social institutions, founded by North American religious organizations.
Family. Family structure is largely determined by income level. Wage eight out of ten workers do not allow them to support their families, which leads to the breakdown of families and the appearance of a large number of abandoned children and orphans. Women often support their families themselves, doing odd jobs until their children grow up and start earning money on their own. The middle and upper classes are characterized by the presence large families- a tradition preserved from ancient times.
Industrial and agricultural associations. One of the most influential economic associations in the country is the National Agricultural Society, founded in 1838 by large landowners. The analogue of this association in the mining industry was the National Mining Society. The country's largest businessmen are united in the National Chamber of Commerce, industrialists - in the Society for the Promotion of Industrial Development. Relatively few large exporting companies are closely associated with right-wing political parties. See below

Anyone who wants to enjoy the taste of Chilean wines, go trekking, mountaineering, relax on the Seven Lakes, wants to know where they are - a country whose southern part is best visited in December-March, the northern - in May-November, the central - all year round ( the period from December to March is suitable for a beach holiday), Lake District - in November-April, - in October-April. As for the ski season, in Chile it lasts from mid-June to early October.

Chile: where is the “Switzerland of South America”?

Located on the mainland of South America, Chile (capital - Santiago), with an area of ​​756,950 sq. km, occupies the territory between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. On the northern side it borders on Chile, on the northeastern side on , on the eastern side on Chile, and on the western side on Chile it is washed by the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the state has access to the Atlantic Ocean.

The highest Chilean point is the 6800-meter Mount Ojos del Salado (its crater is the location of the world's highest lake; the height is almost 6400 m), and the driest place on the planet is the Atacama Desert in northern Chile.

Chile includes Los Rios, Coquimbo, Bio-Bio, Atacama and other areas (15 in total), as well as remote islands (Sala y Gomez, Easter Island) and a sector in Antarctica. It is worth noting that numerous islands have found refuge off the coast of southern Chile, the largest of which is Tierra del Fuego.

How to get to Chile?

There are no direct flights to Chile: with Air France, passengers will transfer at the airport, and with Delta Airlines -. On average, at least 18.5 hours will be spent on the road. The Moscow flight will last 24.5 hours (connection in Miami), Moscow - 31 hours (stops at the airports of Santiago and Puerto Montt), Moscow - 30 hours (connection in Miami and La Paz).

Holidays in Chile

Those who decide to spend a vacation in Chile will be able to admire the Parinacota volcano, relax on lakes Chungura and Miscanti, visit the Valley of the Moon (fantastic landscapes brought it fame), the island of Chiloe (wooden churches and fishing villages deserve attention), (famous for the Cathedral, in the construction of which red tree), (the resort has “black” slopes and 12 ski lifts, an outdoor swimming pool, shops, a disco and other entertainment and sports facilities), (famous mint, the Museum of Mineralogy and the Cathedral of St. Francis, and in the surrounding area you can find fruit plantations with apples, grapes, papaya, oranges planted there), Viña del Mar (guests will be interested in its first-class beaches, the Vergara Promenade, the Museum of Fine Arts, the International Song and festival of salutes and fireworks).

Chilean beaches

• Pichilemu Beach: surfers and lovers of silence tend to come here.
• Zapallar Beach: On this beach you can relax on white sand, surrounded by majestic hills, and admire amazing sunsets.
• Renaca Beach: Strong waves make this beach popular with surfers.
• Algarrobo Beach: Here you can practice water sports, as well as attend regular competitions.
• Pichidangui Beach: This beach is ideal for swimming in a sheltered bay and enjoying sunbathing on the white sand.

Souvenirs from Chile

Popular Chilean souvenirs are ceramic, copper, wool and leather goods, masks, carpets, ponchos, jewelry, all kinds of figurines, Indian dolls, palm honey, trout and venison pastes, sauces and seasonings made from Chilean peppers with mountain herbs.

CHILE, Republic of Chile, a state located on the southwestern coast of South America between the Andes mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean.

Chile also owns several small islands in the Pacific Ocean: Easter Island, the islands of Sala y Gomez, San Felix, San Ambrosio, the Juan Fernandez group of islands, as well as the Diego Ramirez islands 100 km southwest of Cape Horn .

The capital is Santiago.
Population – 15.82 million people (2004).
Urban population – 86%, rural – 14%.
Population density – 20 people per 1 sq. km.
Area – 756.6 thousand square meters. km.
The highest point is Mount Ojos del Salado (6893 m).
The official language is Spanish.
The dominant religion is Catholicism.
Administrative-territorial division - 13 regions (including the Capital Region).
Currency: pesos = 1000 escudos.

Chile is divided into three geographical and climatic regions. The northern desert and the cold south of the country have not yet been fully developed, while the humid (subhumid) region of Central Chile is the most economically developed territory, where approximately 75% of the country's population is concentrated.

Chile's population, mostly of mixed origin (mestizo), in 1998 was estimated at 14.8 million people. The country's capital, Santiago, is the center of the country's political, economic, social and cultural life; in 1992 the population of the capital and its suburbs was approx. 5.2 million people.

In the relief of Chile, three meridional zones are distinguished: the Andes mountain ranges, stretching along the border with Argentina and Bolivia; structural depression of the Central, or Longitudinal, valley, divided by the spurs of the Andes into separate depressions; and a series of geologically more ancient plateaus ending in steep ledges towards the Pacific coast. By latitude, Chile is divided into three regions, which differ sharply from each other in climate: Central Chile, Northern Desert and Southern Chile.

Northern Chile. Along the western coast of the continent from 4° S. to 27° S the desert region extends. Within Chile it is called Atacama and stretches for almost 1300 km. The entire area between the cities of Copiapó in the south and Arica in the north is a dismal series of dry depressions, pebble fans and salt marshes, the monotony of which is broken by rare oases and rivers, the largest of which is Loa. The ocean coast is equally rugged, bordered by hills whose rounded peaks rise up to 750 m. The cities of Caldera, Antofagasta and Iquique are located on narrow, elevated sea terraces at the base of the mountain slopes. Each of these port cities is approached by railroads, which climb steep slopes and connect the cities with mining operations in the interior of the country. The main natural wealth of the area is the deposits of copper ores in the Andes, as well as table salt, sodium nitrate and iodine salts mined in the foothill depressions. South of the city of Copiapó, the chain of oases in the foothill depressions continues further south, into the territory of Central Chile; they are located on the rivers Huasco, Elqui, Limari and Copiapo.

Southern Chile.

Central Valley. South of the Bio Bio River, the open landscapes of Central Chile give way to dense forests, among which there are occasional farms; this area, poorly developed by agriculture, continues south to 41° S. (city of Puerto Montt). In Southern Chile, the Central Valley has a dissected topography, complicated in the eastern part by hills and ridges of glacial moraines; Behind the ridges there are often dammed lakes. Near Puerto Montt, the bottom of the Central Valley drops below ocean level, and then, for more than 1000 km, mountain peaks rise above the surface of the water, separated by an intricate labyrinth of narrow straits; the system of mountainous islands and narrow winding straits continues further south, along the shores of Tierra del Fuego.

Andes. The altitude of the Southern Andes between the cities of Concepción and Puerto Montt averages approx. 3000 m; It is home to mountain peaks, glacial valleys, lakes and waterfalls that are among the most beautiful in the world. At the latitude of the city of Valdivia (approx. 40° S), the limit of eternal snow is at an altitude of 1500 m, and further to the south the eternal snow and ice caps drop to 700 m above sea level, and some glaciers reach the tops of narrow bays – fjords and form icebergs.

Coastal plateaus. Within Southern Chile, the height of the coastal plateaus is 1500 m in the area of ​​​​the city of Valdivia and gradually decreases to the south; on o. The surface of the Chiloe plateau drops almost to sea level.

Climate and flora. The climatic conditions of Chile are very diverse, which is explained by the large extent of the country from north to south, the direct influence of the ocean and the cold Peruvian Current (Humboldt Current) passing near the coast, as well as the existence of a Pacific zone of high atmospheric pressure in the region of 25° S. latitude.

Middle Chile. This area is characterized by mild winters and dry, warm summers. In Concepción, 760 mm of precipitation falls annually, mainly in the form of winter downpours that accompany the intrusion of humid masses of Antarctic air. The northern annual precipitation rate drops to 360 mm in Santiago and 100 mm in Coquimbo, with rain occurring exclusively in winter. In summer, their occurrence is prevented by an anticyclone that forms in the Pacific center of the barometric maximum. Average winter temperatures are 11°C in Valparaiso, 8°C in Santiago and 12°C in Coquimbo, average summer temperatures are 18, 21 and 18°C, respectively. Along the coast, the cold waters of the Peruvian Current narrow the range of their seasonal differences, but in the interior of the country in winter the temperature can drop to –1° C, and in summer the heat reaches 31° C. On the coast, the dominant type of vegetation is fragmented evergreen broad-leaved open forests of xerophytic trees, shrubs and turf grasses. Further south, high rainfall favors the development of a sparse deciduous forest of southern beech (Nothofagus), once distributed from the coastal plateaus (900 m above sea level) to 2150 m above sea level. on the slopes of the Andes. Currently, this forest is mostly cut down.

Atacama Desert. An almost complete absence of precipitation is observed from the ocean itself to the line of eternal snow, starting at an altitude of approx. 4600 m above sea level In Iquique, over 20 years of observations, the total amount of atmospheric moisture that fell was only 28 mm. However, constant dense fogs rising from the cold coastal waters maintain an average relative humidity of 81% and relatively low temperatures in winter and summer (16 and 21 ° C) in port cities. The interior of the Atacama is drier, with temperatures often approaching freezing in winter, accompanied by the formation of dense caps of fog on the ground in the pre-dawn hours. A significant part of the Atacama is completely devoid of vegetation. Ephemeral grasses and resinous perennials of the coastal plateaus feed on moisture obtained only from fog and dew. In the range of 2400–3000 m above sea level. The slopes of the Andes are covered with a belt of sparse "tola" vegetation, consisting of feather grass, lepidophyllum bush and Azorella, which provide the local population with a small amount of fodder and fuel.

South Chile. Western winds prevail here, showers are frequent, and there is a large (sometimes excessive) amount of precipitation. Winters are unusually mild for these latitudes - the average temperature is 8°C in Valdivia and Puerto Montt, dropping to 2°C in Punta Arenas. The average summer temperatures of these cities are 17, 16 and 11 ° C. Snow often falls south of Puerto Montt, and the Chilean archipelago is one of the rainiest and wettest places on the planet. On the open slopes it receives approx. 5100 mm of precipitation, and only 51 days a year the sun faintly peeks through the leaden clouds. In Valdivia the annual rainfall is 2600 mm, in Puerto Montt 2200 mm, and in sheltered Punta Arenas - only 480 mm. The vegetation cover is a dense temperate forest of southern beech (nothofagus), conifers and laurel trees with a well-developed shrubby understory. The marshy areas are occupied by the coniferous species Fitzroya patagonica, while the higher slopes are dominated by Araucaria imbricata. The further south you go, the lower the trees. In the Strait of Magellan zone and on the island of Tierra del Fuego, strong winds and low rainfall allow only grass-heather heaths with turf grasses, forbs: ferns, mosses and dwarf trees to develop.

CHILE'S part of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago.

Easter Island

POPULATION

The population of Chile, which according to the 1970 census was 8,884,768 people, increased by the time of the 1992 census to 13,348,401 people, and in 1998 its number was estimated at 14.8 million people. Population growth, at 1.7% per year from the late 1970s through 1993, was one of the lowest in Latin America. In 1996, there were 18 births and 6 deaths per 1000 inhabitants. The infant mortality rate fell from 100 deaths per 1,000 births in 1967 to 14 per 1,000 births in 1996.

Ethnic composition of the population and language. It is estimated that two-thirds of the residents are descended from intermarriages between Indians and European settlers. A significant contribution to the ethnic composition of modern Chileans was made by the Basques, colonists who arrived from Spain. The Araucans are a freedom-loving and strong Indian people who successfully defended their independence from both the Incas and the Spaniards, living mainly in the south of the country, between the modern cities of Concepcion and Puerto Montt. A small group of Aymara-speaking Indians live in the far north of Chile; The population of Easter Island (the Rapanui people) also constitutes a special group. According to the 1992 census, almost 10% of the adult population consider themselves indigenous to the country.

In the later stages of colonization, there was a significant influx of English, Scots and Irish into the country. The most famous Chilean of Irish descent was Bernardo O'Higgins, who led the struggle for Chilean independence. British Admiral Thomas Cochran was at the forefront of the creation of the Chilean Navy.

After the defeat of the bourgeois-democratic revolution of 1848 in Germany, German immigrants appeared in the country, settling in the rainy and previously undeveloped provinces south of the Bio-Bio River. There they built farms and small factories, and created resort centers in the lake region. In the middle of the 19th century. Small groups of immigrants from Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Yugoslavia arrived in the country.

The official language of Chile is Spanish and is spoken by the majority of residents. Although many indigenous people continue to speak Araucano and German, almost all speak fluent Spanish. Many Chileans also speak English and other languages ​​of international communication.

Population distribution. Almost 9/10 of Chileans live in the area between Puerto Montt and Coquimbo, an area less than 1/3 of the country's total area. In Central Chile, which is part of this territory north of the Bio-Bio River, lives approx. 2/3 of the country's population. In most of the Central Valley, located between the cities of Santiago and Concepcion, the rural population density exceeds 50 people per 1 sq. km. In the metropolitan area of ​​Santiago, the population density reaches almost 355 people per 1 sq. km. Central Chile is home to major cities such as Santiago, Valparaiso and Concepción, home to government offices, universities and financial centers. The bulk of the country's most fertile arable land is concentrated here. Most of the country's industrial enterprises are located in or around the capital.

The overpopulation of the central regions led, in particular, to the fact that new immigrants began to settle in the forest areas south of the Bio-Bio River, which remained for a long time under the control of the Araucan Indian tribes. German immigrants were the first to arrive here in the mid-19th century. The growth of settlements accelerated significantly after the country's government began to pursue a policy of supporting colonists engaged in agriculture. Some Chileans emigrated to Argentina, settling the lands along the eastern foot of the Andes.

The southern third of Chile is very sparsely populated. The existing population is concentrated mainly along the eastern part of the Strait of Magellan in the area of ​​​​Punta Arenas, the southernmost major city in the world.

In the three regions of Northern Chile - Tarapaca, Antofagasta and Atacama, the territory of which makes up more than a third of the total area of ​​the country, there are approx. 7% of the population. In the area occupied by the Atacama Desert, approx. 1 million people live in mining and port towns. The bulk of the population here consists of laborers recruited under contract on large farms in Central Chile, where their ancestors were peons until the 20th century. In addition to them, hundreds of highly educated specialists from various countries who work in copper mines also live in various areas of Northern Chile.

City of Valparaiso

Cities. Chile is one of the most urbanized countries in Latin America. In 1995 approx. 86% of the country's inhabitants lived in cities, and over half of the total population lived in two central regions - Santiago and Valparaiso. The capital of the country, Santiago, had 5.07 million inhabitants, and together with its suburbs (in particular Puente Alto and San Bernardo with a population of 318,000 and 206,800 people, respectively) - 5.6 million. Valparaiso, the main port of Chile and the seat of the National Congress, in 1995 numbered 282.2 thousand people, and even more lived in the neighboring cities of Viña del Mar (322.2 thousand people) and Quilpue (110.3 thousand people). The large cities of Central Chile also include Rancagua (193.8 thousand people), Talca (169.5 thousand people) and Chillan (157.1 thousand people). Concepción, the second largest city in the country, in 1995 had 350.3 thousand inhabitants, and its “twin”, the port city of Talcahuano, had 260.9 thousand. Further to the north, within the agricultural region, is the main city of the province of Coquimbo - La Serena (118 thousand inhabitants).

South of the Bio Bio River, the main cities are Temuco (239.3 thousand people), Osorno (123.1 thousand people), Puerto Montt 122.4 thousand people) and Valdivia (119.4 thousand people ). In the far south there is only one city - Punta Arenas (117.2 thousand people), located on the shores of the Strait of Magellan.

The largest cities in northern Chile are the ports of Antofagasta (236.7 thousand people), Arica (173.3 thousand people) and Iquique (152.6 thousand people).

Religion and church organizations. Although church in Chile was separated from state under the 1925 constitution, more than 80% of the population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. Typically, the church rarely interfered in the political life of the country, but since the late 1960s, following the instructions of papal encyclicals on social issues, as well as under the influence of the social trends of European Catholicism, the Chilean church began to play an important role in carrying out social reforms in the country, and the number of There has been a noticeable increase in socially active clergy. Some clergy contributed to the growth of the influence of the Christian Democratic Party. In 1970, the Catholic Church of Chile officially declared its rejection of capitalism and renounced all its securities, as well as its profitable lands and properties. After 1973, the church condemned torture, murder and kidnapping.

In addition to Catholics, in Chile there are influential groups of Protestants (according to the 1992 census, they make up 13% of the population) and adherents of Judaism. The significant influence of the Protestant Church is explained by the strong support from Great Britain and the presence in the country of a number of educational institutions and social institutions founded by North American religious organizations.

Family. Family structure is largely determined by income level. The wages of eight out of ten workers do not allow them to support their families, which leads to the breakdown of families and the appearance of a large number of abandoned children and orphans. Women often support their families themselves, doing odd jobs until their children grow up and start earning money on their own. The middle and upper classes are characterized by the presence of large families - a tradition preserved from ancient times.

Industrial and agricultural associations. One of the most influential economic associations in the country is the National Agricultural Society, founded in 1838 by large landowners. The analogue of this association in the mining industry was the National Mining Society. The country's largest businessmen are united in the National Chamber of Commerce, industrialists - in the Society for the Promotion of Industrial Development. Relatively few large exporting companies are closely associated with right-wing political parties.

POLITICAL SYSTEM

Downtown Santiago

Between 1932 and 1973 politic system Chile was characterized by respect for the law, fair elections, a representative and politically independent National Congress, an independent judiciary, strong political parties and a fairly efficient administration. The coup d'état in September 1973 was followed by 17 years of military dictatorship. Return to democratic rule, which occurred in 1989–1990, brought a civilian government to power, although the military retained significant influence in the country.

In 1981, Augusto Pinochet introduced a new constitution in the country. The new constitution was adopted on March 11, 1981 after a military-controlled plebiscite. The constitution provided for the continuation of Pinochet's rule for another 8 years, as well as the suspension of most constitutional norms until 1990. During the 8-year so-called. During the “transitional period”, lawmaking remained the prerogative of the junta, compliance with civil liberties and the provisions of the criminal code was suspended.

A plebiscite held in October 1988 asked whether a single candidate for the presidency should be nominated in future elections if his candidacy was approved by the four commanders of the various branches of the armed forces. The terms of the referendum specifically stipulated that Pinochet was not subject to the provision that the president could not be re-elected for another term. As a result of the 1988 referendum, Pinochet was defeated, and elections for the President and the National Congress with the participation of civilian candidates were scheduled for December 1989. During the elections, voters had the opportunity to vote for a number of amendments to the 1980 constitution, which was developed by the leaders of the junta and the leaders of predominantly conservative parties.

As amended in 1989, the 1980 constitution assigned an important role to the National Security Council, half of whose members were military. Compared to the constitution of 1925, the new constitution strengthened the president's position in relation to Congress, but weakened his position in relation to the military.

According to Article 93, the President appoints the commanders of all branches of the armed forces and the Chief of the National Police (Carabinieri Corps), but he must select candidates from a list of five highest-ranking officers, and once appointed, these officers cannot be removed from their posts for four years.

The president's term in power, which was eight years under the 1980 constitution, was reduced to four years for the president to be elected in 1989. However, political groups supporting the military concluded that after the first (four-year) term in office, they could install their own in power. the president, therefore the 8-year term of government was restored in the text of the constitution; after amendments made in 1994, it was reduced to 6 years. During the presidential elections, a second round of voting was provided. The President has the power to appoint ambassadors and 16 cabinet ministers; it also determines the composition of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal from a limited number of pre-selected candidates, and also appoints the Comptroller General (head of the financial control department). The President has the right of legislative initiative and puts forward bills related to a number of areas of government activity - the adoption of the budget, the formation of administrative units and legal entities, and even the conclusion of collective agreements.

According to the 1980 constitution, the country maintains a bicameral legislature, but the number of seats in it is less than provided for by the 1925 constitution. The Chamber of Deputies consists of 120 members (2 from each of the 60 electoral districts), elected for a 4-year term. The Senate consists of 38 members elected for 8 years. In addition, 9 more members of the Senate are appointed for life; four of them, appointed by the National Security Council, are selected from among the former commanders of the military branches, three more are nominated by the Supreme Court, and two by the president.

The 1980 Constitution was designed to be virtually impossible to amend because it required a 3/5 vote of legislators. Changes affecting the military, the National Security Council and the Constitutional Court required, among other things, a 2/3 vote in each house of Congress. At the same time, the consent of the president was required to make any changes. Attempts by the coalition of center and left forces that came to power after the 1989 elections to amend the constitution were blocked by the votes of conservative members of Congress. However, the representative of the Christian Democrats, Patricio Aylwin (1990–1994), managed to introduce a constitutional amendment regarding local government elections. All other attempts at constitutional reform during the presidency of Aylwin and Eduardo Frei (1994–2000) were unsuccessful.

Local government bodies. Until 1973, local councils were formed on an elective basis, but their decisions could be overturned by the provincial governor, appointed “from above.” After the military coup in 1973, local governments began to be formed through appointments. In 1980, the previous division into provinces was abolished, 13 regions were formed in the country, which included 50 new provinces and the city of Santiago with its suburbs, forming a separate Metropolitan Region.

The transition to democratic means of forming local governments was the main goal of the Aylwin government; To achieve this, the center-left coalition and the right-wing opposition, overcoming their differences, reached an agreement on constitutional reform. After the necessary changes to the constitution, adopted in November 1991, corresponding amendments were made to the laws, and municipal elections were held in June 1992.

With a 90% voter turnout, the ruling coalition “Concord for Democracy” (ACD), better known as the “Coalition”, won the elections, whose candidates received 60.6% of the votes, right-wing parties received 30%.

In April 1993, 244 representatives were elected to 13 regional councils. Of these, Coalition candidates received 134 seats, 86 seats went to right-wing opposition candidates. The 1996 local elections also ended in victory for the Coalition, whose candidates received 56.2% of the votes.

Judicial system. The country's highest judicial body is the Supreme Court, whose 16 members are appointed for life. He exercises control over everything judicial system, including appellate courts and local courts. In addition to the extensive system of military courts, there are special judicial bodies dealing with cases of minors, labor conflicts and other issues.

In 1997, Congress established new position– the Prosecutor General, whose tasks included reforming the criminal proceedings system; By decision of the Congress, the procedure for appointing members of the Supreme Court was also revised, and the number of its members was increased from 17 to 21.

In specific cases, the Supreme Court may declare a particular law invalid, but in general the constitutionality of laws is determined by the Constitutional Court, created in 1970. In accordance with the 1980 constitution, three of the seven members of the Constitutional Court are appointed by the Supreme Court, two by the National Security Council and one member each - the President and the Senate.

Armed forces. Service in the Chilean armed forces is compulsory for every able-bodied Chilean over the age of 19. The period of service in the ground forces is one year, in the navy and air force - two years. The territory of Chile is divided into 4 military districts, each of which, in the event of mobilization, fields a fully equipped division. The Chilean Army includes 24 infantry regiments, 8 cavalry regiments and 10 artillery divisions. In 1997, the total number of Chilean armed forces was approximately 91.8 thousand people, including 51 thousand in the army, 29.8 thousand in the navy and 13.5 thousand in the air force. The number of army reservists is 50 thousand people. In the mid-1990s, the country's defense budget expenditures averaged approx. $1 billion per year.

General Pinochet, who led the Chilean ground forces for 25 years, resigned from this post in 1998. After him, General Ricardo Isurieta became the commander of the ground forces.

The composition of the carabinieri, paramilitary police forces, numbered 31.2 thousand people in 1996, in addition, the country had approx. 4,000 members of the detective police, which assist the carabinieri and the intelligence agencies of the armed forces.

ECONOMY

Before World War I, Chile imported sugar, cotton, coffee, tea and edible fats, and produced the rest of its food products independently. Mineral raw materials, copper and especially iron ore, the reserves of which are very large in the country, were exported in the form of raw materials or semi-finished products. When the country found itself cut off from sources of foreign manufactured goods after the outbreak of World War I, it was forced to change the structure of its economy. Mineral processing was established, and as a result Chile entered a new phase of industrialization and urbanization.

Mining.

Saltpeter. Mining of sodium nitrate began in Chile in 1825. As a result of the Pacific War (1879–1884), the territory where the deposits were located went to Chile. Saltpeter deposits stretch in a long, broken strip along the Atacama Desert within the provinces of Tarapaca, Antofagasta and Atacama.

Before the First World War, high export prices for saltpeter on the world market provided approx. 2/3 of Chile's government revenues, and the country's economy was entirely dependent on the mining and export of saltpeter. The consequence of the global economic crisis of the 1930s was the reorganization of Chilean industry and the establishment in 1934 of the Chilean Corporation for the sale of nitrate and iodine. In 1968, the Chilean Society of Chemical Products and Mineral Raw Materials was formed, which took over and significantly expanded the functions of this corporation. The main share of nitrogen fertilizers is produced at three plants - in the cities of Pedro de Valdivia, Maria Elena and Victoria. In addition to sodium nitrate and iodine, potassium nitrate, sodium sulfate and table salt are mined in Chile.

Copper. Copper production is the most important branch of Chilean industry, and the export of copper is the main export item. The country's early copper mining industry depended primarily on the exploitation of the large number of small veins of high-quality copper ore that were widespread in northern and central Chile in the coastal ranges and the Andes. Large-scale copper mining began in the second half of the 19th century, but its growth slowed in the late 19th century. due to the depletion of rich veins in the coastal ridges, a shortage of labor (employed in the extraction of saltpeter), insufficient development of the transport network, lagging levels of technical equipment, and also due to increased competition from the United States. During the First and Second World Wars, when the demand for copper increased sharply, Chilean industry sharply increased copper production. Throughout the 1990s, Chile was the world's leading copper producer, ahead of the United States, Canada, Zambia and Zaire. The three most important deposits - Chuquicamata and El Salvador in the north of the country and El Teniente near Santiago - contain approx. 20% of the world's copper ore reserves.

Until the early 1960s, two American companies - Anaconda Copper Mining Corporation and Kennecott Copper Corporation - owned the mines where 90% of Chilean copper was mined. However, in the mid-1960s, the Chilean government acquired a significant (in some cases controlling) stake in the main mines. In 1971, Allende's government nationalized all of Chile's copper mines without paying compensation. The military junta paid compensation to former owners of nationalized mines and took a number of steps to attract new ones. foreign investment to the copper mining industry in Chile.

Iron ore. Iron ore mining and processing is the second most important branch of Chilean industry after copper production. The main deposits of high-grade iron ore (with a metal content of 61%) are located in the El Tofo area, near the city of La Serena. In 1913 this area was leased American company Bethlehem Steel Corporation. In 1971, the mine was nationalized by the Chilean government, which paid the company compensation of $8 million. After World War II, a large center of iron and steel industry was created in Huachipato near Concepcion.

Coal. Coal is mined in southern Chile. After oil and natural gas production fell in the 1980s, the importance of coal reserves, although small, increased significantly. In the vicinity of Lebu are the only lignite deposits in South America.

Gold and silver. For a long time, gold and silver were mined in Central Chile, but it did not play a big role in the country's economy.

Oil. Chile has small oil reserves, the production of which covers approx. 1/4 of the country's needs. The state company developed oil fields in Tierra del Fuego, and in 1980 oil production began from the bottom of the Strait of Magellan.

Other types of minerals and mineral raw materials. Chile has rich sulfur reserves. The country produces manganese, molybdenum, tungsten, zinc and aluminum.

Agriculture. Only 8% of Chile's area is used to grow crops. About 3/4 of the cultivated land is occupied by grains and vegetables. The main crops are wheat, barley, oats, potatoes and sugar beets. Despite the primitive methods of cultivating the land and harvesting agricultural products, the wheat yield is 17 centners per hectare, which is comparable to the yields obtained in Spain. Wheat crops occupy almost half of the arable land in Central Chile. Corn (maize), which has long grown in Chile, is grown mainly as a feed crop. Clover, alfalfa, vetch, legumes, rice and pepper are also grown in the country. In the northern part of Central Chile, fruits characteristic of subtropical and temperate climate zones are grown. Vineyards, which occupy 2% of the total cultivated land area, are concentrated in the provinces of Talca, Santiago and Linares. Chilean wines are exported mainly to the USA and Europe.

Livestock production plays a significant role in the Chilean economy, although it is intended mainly to satisfy domestic needs. Southern Central Chile is dominated by cattle ranching and dairy farming. The main sheep farming area is in the far south of the country, in the Punta Arenas area.

Forestry. Chile has significant forest resources; large areas are occupied by forests south of the Bio-Bio River. Lumber logging is widespread in the country, especially in the provinces of Valdivia and Cautin. Chile exports beech, pine and laurel wood.

Fishing. Chile has a strong and modern fishing industry. Most of The caught fish are processed into fishmeal, which is exported as fertilizer or feed. Chile also produces approx. 170 thousand tons of seaweed - the agar-agar obtained from them goes to the needs of local industry.

Manufacturing industry. By the beginning of the 20th century. Some local needs for food, wine, shoes, textiles and lumber were met through domestic production, but industrial equipment and metal products came mainly from abroad. After the outbreak of the First World War, imports of goods into the country virtually ceased, and the main focus was on the development of those branches of agriculture, forestry, and mining, the products of which could be processed locally.

Since 1914, the country began a rapid economic growth, which in 1939 received an additional stimulus after the formation of the state Production Development Corporation (CORFO), which united representatives of the government, industrial circles and trade unions. This organization developed long-term plans, made decisions on the construction of new and modernization of old enterprises, and also contributed to the implementation of adopted plans through allocations and direct participation. After World War II, production growth continued until 1973, when the junta came to power. The military government attempted to curb runaway inflation and revive the country's economy by cutting social spending, tightening monetary policy, and lowering import tariffs, which made foreign products more competitive in the Chilean market.

Currently, Chilean industrial products include copper, steel, various fuels, lumber, cement, textiles, electronics, refrigerators, food products, industrial equipment, chemical materials and seafood.

VALPARAISO

International trade. The basis of Chile's foreign trade is the export of copper. Other important exports include pulp, iron ore, saltpeter, fruits, vegetables, wines and fishmeal. The main imported goods are petroleum products, industrial equipment, vehicles, wheat and chemicals. Chile's main trading partners include the United States, Brazil, Japan and West Germany. Chile's import costs exceed its export revenues.

Communications and transport. William Wheelwright, who arrived from North America in the 1830s, founded the Pacific Steam Navigation transport company in Chile, which for the first time in the country began to provide regular passenger service between the ports of the west coast of Chile and the English port of Liverpool. In 1852, Wheelwright's company completed construction of South America's first railroad, from the coastal city of Caldera to the inland city of Copiapo. Later, a railway was built between Valparaiso and Santiago and a project for a trans-Andean railway was developed, the construction of which was completed only in 1910.

Chile's 6,300 km railway system is one of the best in Latin America. This railway network stretches from the city of Pisagua in the Atacama Desert to Puerto Montt in the south of the country, with branches to all major ports. A separate line goes to Argentina and continues through the city of Mendoza to Buenos Aires. From Arica and Antofagasta the railway goes to La Paz (Bolivia). The line between Antofagasta and Salta (Argentina) crosses the Andes at an altitude of 4500 m.

Of 79,600 km highways 9580 km are paved, the most modern highways are laid in the Longitudinal Valley in the Santiago region. One section of the Pan-American Highway, 3,900 km long, runs north and connects Santiago with Lima (Peru), another, 1,450 km long, runs east from Santiago to Buenos Aires, and another, 2,250 km long, runs south to Punta Arenas.

Chile's merchant fleet is one of the oldest and fifth largest in Latin America. The Chilean shipping company Compania Sudamericana de Vapores and several private companies operate connections between domestic ports and voyages to ports of foreign countries.

Domestic and international airlines connect Chile with other countries; the entire territory of the country is served by flights of local airlines.

CULTURE

The science. Among Chilean scientists of the 20th century. anthropologist Eduardo Latcham should be named; botanist, zoologist, physiologist and anthropologist Carlos Emilio Porter; finally, Dr. Salvador Allende Gossens (1908–1973), who is famous not only political activity, but also with his works in the field of medicine and healthcare.

Public education. The public education system in Chile is considered the best in all of Latin America. Eight years old initial training is mandatory. There are 20 universities in the country. The largest university in the country is the University of Chile in Santiago (founded 1843). In second place is the Catholic University of Chile (founded 1888), also in Santiago. State Technical University in Santiago was founded in 1947. There are also three universities in Valparaiso, two each in Concepción and Antofagasta, and one each in most regional capitals. On high level located professional education. The School of Applied Arts in Santiago is the oldest educational institution in the Western Hemisphere.

Education in schools is conducted according to a single program, which was developed jointly by the Ministry of Education and the leadership of military educational institutions. Private schools play an important role in the education system. After graduation primary school students can continue their education at a lyceum (state high school) or in a college (private or religious educational institution), the course of study in which is designed for 6 years.

CATHEDRAL in Antofagasta

Cultural institutions. The government supports libraries, museums and other cultural centers. The National Library in Santiago (founded 1813) is one of the best in Latin America. The country also has more than a hundred libraries in the province. The National Museum is located in Santiago natural history, National Historic Chile and the National Museum of Fine Arts, containing collections of predominantly Chilean painting and sculpture. The Chilean-North American Cultural Center also operates here, where there are also English language courses for adults. There are also museums in Valparaiso, Concepcion, Talca and other cities.

Film and performing arts. Cinematography in Chile is poorly developed, and mostly American films are shown in cinemas. Since the 1960s, there has been a growing interest in theatrical art. The University of Chile has an experimental theater where modern and classical plays are staged; his troupe goes on tour throughout the country, giving performances in schools, military camps, trade union clubs and city centers. There is even a department of theater arts at the School of Fine Arts at the Catholic University of Chile. The National Ballet of Chile won international recognition. There are 12 officially recognized theaters in Santiago, 2 symphony orchestra, 2 observatories and very good bookstores.

Sport occupies a very important place in the social life of the country. The most popular are football, tennis, golf, skiing, hunting and horse racing. Many tourists and lovers fishing attracts the lake district in the south of the country and the ski resort of Portillo. In the north, the Iquique region is famous as a seaside resort and fishing spot.

Northern Patagonia

Photo gallery hasn't opened? Go to the site version.

general information

State structure: presidential republic. The highest legislative body is National Congress, consisting of 2 chambers: the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies; supreme executive body yavl. The Cabinet of Ministers is headed by the President, who, since 2006, has been elected by popular vote for a 4-year term, without the right of re-election for a second term. The current president is (Spanish: Sebastián Piñera Echenique). Full list Presidents of Chile see.

In territorial and administrative terms, the state is divided into 15 regions (Regiones).

State Language: The official language of Chile is Spanish. Many residents who speak Spanish continue to communicate with each other in German and Araucano; by the way, most Chileans speak quite well English language. Also spoken here are Mapudungun (Mapuche language), Aymara (in the northern region of the country) and Rapa Nui (in the Polynesian Easter Island area).

P.S. Chileans speak Spanish very quickly and incomprehensibly, often swallowing the last letters of words, and they also like to include the English-style ending “s” in plural meanings. In addition, slang terms and expressions are often used in everyday life, which even native speakers of traditional Spanish do not understand without explanation.

Religion: The dominant religion is Catholicism: more than 70% of the population are adherents of the Roman Catholic Church. In addition to Catholics, there are quite influential groups of Protestants (about 15% of the population), there are also believers professing Judaism (1.06%), Mormons (0.92%) and representatives of other religions. 4.4% of Chileans identify themselves as atheists.

Currency: State currency: (CLP).

Favorite sports games: Football is almost everything in Chile. Every local resident is simply obliged to have their favorite football team (in 60% of cases it is Universidad de Chile); sports such as rugby, tennis, running, cycling, etc. are also quite popular.

Population

The population of the state is about 18.05 million people, which are evenly distributed along the entire length of the country. The main concentration of the population is concentrated in the central regions: in the cities of Santiago, Concepcion, Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, Antofagasta, Temuco, etc.

Chileans of the 21st century. consist of 3 main groups: Spanish-speaking Chileans; immigrants and their descendants from the countries of America, Europe and Asia who arrived here in the 20th century; indigenous Indian peoples.

It is also necessary to mention the Polynesians - Rapanui (Easter) - the indigenous inhabitants of the island. Easter.

The racial composition of Chile's population is approximately as follows: about 25% of the inhabitants belong to the white race (descendants of Spaniards, Italians, Germans), almost 70% are mestizos - descendants of mixed marriages of Indians with whites, indigenous Indians make up about 6.6%.

The national composition of immigrants is very diverse, but Spaniards and Italians predominate. IN last decades immigrants mainly come here from neighboring countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Peru.

Most of Chile's population is employed primarily in mining, agriculture and fishing.

Chileans have an average of 10 years of education, the country's illiteracy rate is one of the lowest in the entire continent (no more than 4%), and the country boasts two laureates Nobel Prize in the field of literature: (Spanish Gabriela Mistral) and (Spanish Pablo Neruda). Average life expectancy is 79 years, with low rates of infant mortality (7.9%) and malnutrition.

The most characteristic physical attributes of local residents include a fairly dark skin tone, average height (160 cm for women and 170 cm for men) and black thick hair.

Excursion into history

Before the Spanish invasion, the territory of Chile was inhabited by numerous nomadic Indian tribes. The most powerful and influential tribes were the Araucans or Mapuches, inhabiting the Central part. Being very independent and warlike, they were the only major Indian tribal association of Indians that did not submit to the Spanish crown. Only at the end of the 19th century. the Spanish conquistadors managed to push them into the southern forests and force them to submit.

The first attempt to conquer the country dates back to 1535, when the Spanish adelantado (Spanish: Diego de Almagro), a comrade (Spanish: Francisco Pizarro) of the conqueror of Peru, led a military expedition, leading it through the glaciers of the Andes. The Spaniards reached the Central Valley of the country, but without finding treasures and encountering desperate resistance from the Araucans, they returned to Peru.

In 1540, Pizarro sent his lieutenant (Spanish Pedro de Valdivia) to conquer Chile, who on February 12, 1541 founded the city of Santiago on the banks of the Mapocho River (Spanish Río Mapocho), making it the capital of the Spanish colony, which was home to about 1000 Spaniards. Then, moving further south, Valdivia founded several more cities, incl. (Spanish: Concepción) and Valdivia. In 1553, Pedro de Valdivia was captured and executed by Indians led by the Araucanian leader Lautaro (Spanish: Lautaro). Lautaro became the hero of Chilean legends and went down in history thanks to the heroic-epic poem “Araucana” by the Spanish conquistador and poet Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga (Spanish: Alonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga, 1533-1594)

There was too little gold in Chile to attract large numbers of settlers from Europe. The colonists were engaged in growing wheat; cattle ranches, vineyards and orchards also provided good income. Gradually the Spaniards penetrated south to the river. Bio-Bio and through the Andes chain to the east, into the territory of what is now Argentina. In 1778, the colony was given the status of captaincy general; the captain general was appointed personally by the King of Spain.

Despite the territorial isolation, the country experienced steady population growth. Many of the Catalans or Basques who settled here formed an influential class of landowning aristocrats, which to this day plays an important role in the political and cultural life of the state. Since, according to the laws, all trade was conducted through Peru, there were illegal contacts with English and Dutch smugglers who reached here through the Strait of Magellan.

One adventure from the life of smugglers served as the basis for Defoe's novel about Robinson Crusoe: the case of the Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk, thrown by a storm onto the uninhabited islands of the Juan Fernandez archipelago. The flow of smuggling decreased somewhat when the country gained the right to trade with the rest of the Spanish colonies.

When Napoleon overthrew King Ferdinand VII in 1808, the country was still a Spanish colony. On July 14, 1810, the Chilean Creoles rebelled, removing the Spanish protege and installing a Creole aristocrat as governor, and in September the National Government Junta was formed. After 4 years of rebellion and anarchy, the Peruvian viceroy regained control over Chile, but she had already tasted freedom.

Chile includes various geographical zones: valleys, desert, fjords, glaciers, archipelagos and islands.

By latitude, the entire territory is divided into 3 regions, sharply different from each other in the structure of the relief and climatic conditions:

• Desert region in the north, where the peaks of the Andes are highest;
• Middle China is a high-mountain region of the Central Andes, where the northern mountain plateau turns into a valley almost 1 thousand km long. and 40-80 km wide, is the most densely populated region of the country;
• Southern China is the foothills of the Southern Andes, a zone of hills covered with dense forests, and a system of narrow straits and rocky islands in the far south. Almost 80% of the continental territory of Chile is occupied by mountains, there are about 600 volcanoes (this is 1/10 of the number of all volcanoes on Earth), of which 47 are active, so earthquakes are very frequent here. The highest point of the country is considered to be (Spanish: Volcano Ojos del Salado; 6.9 thousand m), located on the border with Argentina.

Rivers and lakes

All rivers originate in either the Andes or the Coastal Cordillera and flow into the Pacific Ocean. Most rivers are quite short. The most important rivers of the country include: Loa (Spanish: Río Loa) - the longest (440 km) Chilean river, (Spanish: Río Bío Bío, 380 km) - the second largest river, Elqui (Spanish: Río Elqui, 170 km) and etc. For more information about the rivers of Chile, see.

Most of the lakes, predominantly of tectonic-glacial origin, are located in the picturesque “Lake District”, in the valleys and foothills of the Andes in southern Chile. Buenos Aires or General Carrera (Spanish: Lago General Carrera, area 1.9 thousand km²), the largest lake of glacial origin, is located on the border of Chile and Argentina (the eastern part of the lake belongs to Argentina).

Lake Llanquihue (Spanish: Lago Llanquihue, area 840 km²), the second largest, is entirely within Chilean territory. In the central part there are high-altitude freshwater lakes and coastal salt lakes, into which sea waters penetrate during high tides. Table salt is mined in coastal lakes, for example, in Lake Bucalemu (Spanish: el Lago Bucalemu) near Valparaiso. In the north of the country, virtually all lakes are drainless and salty (so-called “salar”, Spanish Salar).

"Lake Region" in the foothills of the Andes

In addition to the main, continental part, the state includes several groups of coastal islands and islands located at a considerable distance from the mainland: the western part of the island "" (Spanish: Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego), Easter Island, the Juan Fernandez archipelago, Wellington Island (Spanish: Isla Wellington), etc. The islands of Chile have long attracted tourists from all over the world. For example, a Scottish sailor (Alexander Selkirk, 1676-1721), who became the prototype of the well-known Robinson, spent 4 years and 4 months (1704-1709) on a desert island (Spanish Isla Mas a Tierra, now the island of Robinson Crusoe). Easter Island is famous for its colossal stone figures erected by unknown masters of ancient civilization.

Territorial distribution of population

About 9/10 of the country's inhabitants live in the area between the cities (Spanish: Puerto Montt) and Coquimbo (Spanish: Coquimbo), accounting for less than a third of the total area of ​​the state. Most of the population is concentrated around the capital, where natural conditions favor the development of agriculture.

Almost 2/3 of the state's population lives in Central Chile, north of the Bio-Bio River. In most of the Central Valley (between the cities of Santiago (Spanish: Santiago) and Concepción, the rural population density reaches 50 people/1 km². In the Metropolitan Region, the population density exceeds 355 people/1 km².

There are large cities here (Santiago, Valparaiso, Concepcion), where government agencies, financial, scientific and educational centers are located. Most of the fertile arable land is concentrated here. The majority of industrial state enterprises are located in the capital and its environs. enterprises. The overpopulation of the central regions led, in particular, to the fact that immigrants began to settle in the forested areas south of Bio-Bio, long time remaining under the control of the Araucanians - indigenous Indian tribes. The growth of such settlements accelerated significantly due to the fact that the country's government began to implement a policy of supporting colonists engaged in agriculture.

Santiago

The southern third of the state is sparsely populated, the existing population is mainly concentrated near the eastern part of the Strait of Magellan, in the area (Spanish: Punta Arenas), the southernmost city of all major cities on the planet. Almost 7% of the population lives in 3 regions of Northern Chile (Tarapaca, Antofagasta and Atacama), whose area is about 1/3 of the territory. The Atacama Desert region is inhabited by about 1 million people living in small mining and port towns. Most of the local population consists of workers and specialists recruited under contract in Central Chile. Also in the northern regions live specialists from around the world who work in copper mines.

Nature and climate

Chile is a completely unique country in terms of climate and nature. It stretches from south to north along the entire South American continent. Such an unusual extent allows the state to have almost all natural and climatic zones existing on the globe, with the exception of the humid tropics.

The north is characterized by a predominant tropical desert climate, where average monthly temperatures range from +12 °C (mid-May-August) to +26 °C (December-mid-March). To the south, the climate becomes subtropical, with summer temperatures ranging from +22-24°C, and winter temperatures around +12-18°C. The weather is similar on the Easter and Juan Fernandez islands.

The central part is dominated by a temperate oceanic climate, with temperatures ranging from +3-15°C in winter to +25°C in summer. In the south, the climate is humid, subtropical, with heavy rainfall. In the north, in the Atacama Desert, there are places that have not seen a drop of precipitation for centuries. There are other areas in the Atacama where short winter rainfalls produce an incredible burst of blooms in the spring, this one natural phenomenon known as the "Blooming Desert". The coast of this part of the country is characterized by a temperate climate.

As the altitude increases, the daytime temperature increases, while the nighttime temperature decreases. In the area even in summer period night temperatures can drop below 0°C. In summer, a natural phenomenon called "Bolivian winter", which is characterized by sudden severe thunderstorms with hail.

To the south, delightful Mediterranean landscapes prevail with a mild climate, dry, warm summers and rainy winters: in summer (December-February) the average air temperature is + 28°C, in winter + 10°C. The coast is usually cloudy, humid and windy, and can be colder than inland areas.

Vast areas of this zone are covered with lush virgin forests. From May to August, the rainy season lasts in the interior regions of Chile; in the mountainous regions, precipitation, regardless of the season, falls more evenly; here the climate is rainy and cool. Strong winds often blow on the coast and in the Patagonian pampa. In the high mountainous regions of the state it is much colder: in some places the temperature even in summer does not rise above +3°C, and in winter it drops to −27°C.

The further south you go, the less precipitation and lower temperatures you get. The climate of the Antarctic part of Chile is polar, with frequent heavy snowfalls.

In the area of ​​the Strait of Magellan and on the island of Tierra del Fuego, the climate is polar, in winter temperatures range from −16 to −4 °C, in summer temperatures do not exceed +18 °C. Even in summer, strong winds prevail here, fog and rain are common, and unpredictable sudden changes in weather are observed. It is cold in the mountains and there is heavy rainfall.

On Easter Island and the islands of the Juan Fernandez archipelago, the climate is subtropical, mild, with moderate humidity, pleasant temperatures and little difference between the seasons.

Largest cities

Chile is one of the longest countries in the world, so the distances between northern and southern cities can reach several thousand kilometers. Due to the very long coastline, many cities are ports.

It is considered one of the most urbanized Latin American countries. For example, in 2010, about 89% of the population lived in cities, and more than half of the inhabitants lived in the central regions of Santiago and Valparaiso.

Name	Population
(Spanish Santiago)	6.2 million
(Spanish: Viña del Mar)	322.2 thousand
(Spanish: Valparaíso)	OK. 300 thousand
(Spanish: Puerto Montt) Flora and fauna The vegetation of the country varies depending on the climate zone. In the north, where the Atacama Desert is located, all kinds of cacti and thorns predominate. In Central Chile, subtropical vegetation predominates (evergreen forests and shrubs). In the south, the mountain slopes turning into valleys are covered with densely growing beech and coniferous forests, and Chilean pine trees appear here. The Central Plains is home to Copihue, a vibrant red flower with a bell-shaped cup that has become the national flower. Then the landscape gives way to the jungle, where beech, magnolia, laurel and several types of coniferous trees grow. In the far south there are steppes covered with forbs. The fauna of Chile is not as rich as in other Latin American countries, since the Andes ridges, forming a natural barrier, prevent the natural migration of animals. The most common mammals here are alpaca, llama, vicuña, two types of deer, guanaco, puma, wolf, chinchilla, otter, nutria, and skunk. Birds are represented quite widely; even ostriches are found here. In rivers and lakes, except for introduced trout, there are almost no freshwater fish. Due to the proximity of the Humboldt Current, coastal Pacific waters are rich in fish and other marine life, which in turn support a wide variety of waterfowl, including various species of penguins. Whales are also found in abundance: about six (!) species of whales live off the coast. Chile is a country of wonders! The territory of the state is the longest and narrowest on the planet. Being the southernmost country on the globe, Chile is located less than 900 km away. from Antarctica. The largest difference in the Earth's relief (with a difference of 14 thousand meters) is between the peak of Ojos del Salado, highest volcano planet, and the bottom of the Pacific Ocean near the city (Spanish: Copiapo). The best in the world ski resort In terms of snow quality, the Chilean Portillo (Spanish: Portillo), located near the city of Los Andes (Spanish: Los Andes), is considered. The resort is surrounded on all sides by mountains, thanks to which only direct sunlight falls here and the snow does not melt for a long time, which increases the duration of the holiday season. “Valley of the Moon” (Spanish: Valle de la Luna), an amazingly beautiful place located between the city (Spanish: Calama) and the village (Spanish: San Pedro de Atacama) is the only place on the planet that is strikingly reminiscent of a lunar landscape. Lake Copahue (Spanish: el Lago Copahue), located near the city of Los Angeles (Spanish: Los Ángeles), is called a unique natural laboratory: here, depending on the time of year, it changes chemical composition water thanks to warm underground flows of volcanic origin. Chilean (Spanish: Patagonia) - a region stretching from the city of Valdivia (Spanish: Valdivia) to Cape Horn, is recognized as the most environmentally friendly part of the globe. The famous Easter Island is considered the most remote place on the planet - the closest “inhabited land” from the island is 2.5 thousand km. The only country in the world from where you can take an excursion to Antarctica and Easter Island. Here, more often than in other places on Earth, UFO sightings are observed. Guagliatiri (Spanish: Volcan Guallatiri), located near the village of Chapiquinha, is the highest active volcano in the world, its height is 6064 m. Lake Chungara (Spanish: el Lago Chungara), located 189 km. from the city of Arica (Spanish Arica) in northern Chile, is the highest lake on the planet: it lies at a peak of 4.52 m above sea level. (Spanish: Chuquicamata) is the largest copper ore deposit on Earth, located in the north of the state, about 50% of all Chilean copper is mined there. The mine is located at an altitude of 2.83 thousand meters above sea level, 240 km. from Kalama. ( +45 points, 14 ratings)

The largest country in terms of extent is Chile. It is called the state of three continents due to its location. Where is Chile located and why is this country called the state of three continents? The country itself is located in South America, stretching along the Pacific coast. Most of Chile is located in the southwestern part of the South American continent, and some territories occupy Antarctica and Oceania.

A little history

Archaeological excavations prove that the territory of Chile was originally inhabited more than thirteen thousand years ago. But in the sixteenth century the Spanish began to take over the country, and only in the nineteenth century did they manage to free themselves from colonial rule.

Saltpeter has long been mined in the country, and later copper quarries began to be developed. The presence of mineral resources led to the economic growth of Chile, as well as the emergence of struggles with other states over the country's territory.

Territory of Chile

Few people know where Chile is located, on what continent, but even those who know the answer to this question for some reason consider this state to be small. In fact, this is not entirely true. Chile occupies almost eight hundred thousand square kilometers, and almost 99% of this territory is land.

As mentioned earlier, this country is located on the mainland of South America. More than eighteen million people live here. The official language is Spanish. The capital of Chile is Santiago.

Chile coordinates: 30°0'0" (30°0'0) south latitude (-30.0 in decimal degrees); 71°0'0" (71°0'0) west longitude (-71.0 in decimal degrees).

Unusual places

After finding out where Chile is located, the next question arises, what is interesting about this country? Considering the fact that this state stretches in a thin line along almost the entire western coast of the South American continent, one might assume that there is nothing special here, but this is not so. The country is very interesting and unusual. Home to the Atacama Desert, it is the driest place in the world. This is surprising, because the state is located on the Pacific coast, but it rains in desert areas once every few decades. The highest lake on Earth is also located here: it is located at an altitude of 6390 meters in the crater of the Ojos del Salado volcano.

Chile stretches so far that it claims part of Antarctica. Moreover, it can get almost 1.3 million km2.

The state is located on a moving plate, which is why there are frequent earthquakes of varying strengths. The last very strong tremors were recorded in the twentieth century: it was the most strong earthquake in the entire history of mankind, rated at 9.5 points. It claimed more than six thousand lives and caused enormous damage.

Climate and relief features

So, where is Chile, in the mountains? In the west of South America there are mountains. Chile occupies the southern and central part of the Andes: the highest point of the country is 6890 m. Not far from the coast there is the deepest depression, more than eight kilometers deep. Because of this relief feature, the country is considered the first in terms of elevation changes.

Due to its large extent, Chile has a heterogeneous climate: from tropical to temperate oceanic. The further you get from the coastline to the Andes, the drier: the climate in remote areas is continental. The country's coastline is cooler than other areas located at the same latitude. This is due to the Humboldt Current passing near the coast: it is cold.

Mountains, volcanoes and rivers

Chile has a unique location. Two giant mountain systems stretch across the entire country, which differ in relief and climate. The Andes are located in the east of the state, and the Cordillera in the west. Almost eighty percent of the state's territory is occupied by mountains. Knowing where Chile is located and the relief features of the country, this state can rightfully be called the most mountainous. Moreover, due to the large area of ​​mountains, there are about six hundred volcanoes in the country, of which almost fifty are active.

Considering what country Chile is in and where it is located, we can say that there are no difficulties with water: the country has quite a lot of rivers coming down from the mountains, but they are short. Most of the rivers originate in the Andes and flow into the Pacific Ocean.

In the south of the country there is the Lake District: a place where there are a lot of bodies of water. They were formed under the influence of glaciers and tectonic processes. The largest lake is General Carrera with an area of ​​2000 square meters. kilometers. The eastern part of the reservoir belongs to Argentina.

Amazing country

What to see in this state, what kind of country and where is it located? Chile is one of the most amazing and unusual countries in the world, where there are many different attractions. Unlike other countries, the police here are surprisingly honest. They do not take bribes, and it is not customary in this country to give them. If you try to bribe, you can end up in the local prison.

The monetary unit is the peso, but here you can pay in dollars and euros. There are naval towns here, in which you should take photographs more carefully: if you photograph warships or other military equipment, you can get arrested.

In general, people in this country are very friendly: they will be happy to help you find a bus stop or metro station and answer any question.