CHILE - Country profile

LOCATION OF CHILE IN THE WORLD



MAP OF CHILE



FLAG OF CHILE

The national flag of Chile, also known as the Lone Star (Spanish : La Estrella Solitaria), consists of two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red and a blue square the same height as the white band in the canton, which bears a white five-pointed star in the center. It was adopted on October 18, 1817.

The star represents a guide to progress and honor ; blue symbolizes the sky and the Pacific Ocean, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the blood spilled to achieve independence.

According to the epic poem La Araucana, the colors were derived from those from the flag flown by the Mapuche during the Arauco War. "Flag Day" is held each year on the ninth of July to commemorate the 77 soldiers who died in the 1882 Battle of La Concepción.

NATIONAL ANTHEM OF CHILE

The National Anthem of Chile (Spanish : Himno Nacional de Chile) is also known as Canción Nacional (National Song). It has a history of two lyrics and two melodies that made up three different versions. The current version was composed by Ramón Carnicer, with words by Eusebio Lillo, and has six parts plus the chorus.

PROFILE OF CHILE

Official Name:
República de Chile
short form: Chile
int'l long form: Republic of Chile

ISO Country Code: cl

Capital City: Santiago (pop. metropolitan area est. 6 million)
The legislative body operates in Valparaíso.

Other Cities: Concepcion-Talcahuano (840 000), Vina del Mar-Valparaíso (800 000), Antofagasta (245 000), Temuco (230 000).

Government:
Type: Republic.
Independence: 18 Sept 1810 (from Spain).
Constitution: Promulgated 11 September 1980; effective 11 March 1981; amended in 1989, 1993, and 1997.

Geography:
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru.
Area: 756 945 sq. km. (302 778 sq. mi.)
Terrain: Desert in north; fertile central valley; volcanoes and lakes toward the south, giving way to rugged and complex coastline; Andes Mountains on the eastern border.

Climate: Arid in north, Mediterranean in the central portion, cool and damp in south.

People:
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Chilean(s).
Population: 15 million.
GNI per capita PPP: $ 11 537 (year)
Ethnic groups: Spanish-Native-American (mestizo), European, Native-American.
Religions: Roman Catholic 69.9%; Protestant 15%.
Languages: Spanish.
Literacy: 95.8%.

Natural resources: Copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower.

Agriculture products: Grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, wine, garlic, asparagus, beans, beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber.

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

Exports partners: USA 14%, Japan 11.4%, China 9.9%, South Korea 5.5%, Netherlands 5.1%, Brazil 4.3%, Italy 4.1%, Mexico 4% (2004)

Imports partners: Argentina 17%, USA 14.1%, Brazil 11.1%, China 7.1% (2004)

Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP)