# Chile

> country in South America and Oceania, with a claim in Antarctica

**Wikidata**: [Q298](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chile

## Summary
Chile is a sovereign state and democratic republic located in South America, stretching from the Atacama Desert to the icy waters of Antarctica, with its capital at Santiago and a population of approximately 19.5 million people.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: República de Chile (Republic of Chile)
- **Area**: 756,102 square kilometres
- **Capital**: Santiago
- **Inception**: September 18, 1810
- **Population**: 19,458,000 (2021 estimate)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude -33°, Longitude -71°
- **Continent**: South America (Easter Island in Insular Oceania)
- **Currency**: Chilean peso (since 1975-09-29)
- **Timezone**: UTC−03:00
- **ISO Codes**: Alpha-2: CL, Alpha-3: CHL, Numeric: 152
- **M49 Code**: 152
- **Highest Point**: Ojos del Salado (6,893 metres)
- **Lowest Point**: Pacific Ocean (0 metres)
- **Official Language**: Spanish
- **Age of Majority**: 18 years old
- **Head of State**: President of Chile
- **National Anthem**: National Anthem of Chile
- **Motto**: "Por la razón o la fuerza" (By Right or Might)
- **Driving Side**: Right-hand traffic
- **Electrical System**: 220 volts, 50 Hz
- **Emergency Number**: 131 (medical), 132 (fire), 133 (police)
- **International Calling Code**: +56
- **Internet TLD**: .cl
- **UN Membership**: Joined December 24, 1945
- **GDP (2021)**: $316.7 billion
- **Gini Coefficient (2020)**: 44.9
- **Life Expectancy (2022)**: 80 years
- **Unemployment Rate (2014)**: 6%
- **VAT Rate**: 19% standard
- **Geographic Regions**: 16 administrative regions including Santiago Metropolitan Region

## FAQs
**What type of government does Chile have?**
Chile operates as a democratic republic with a presidential system of government, where the President serves as both head of state and head of government.

**What international organizations is Chile a member of?**
Chile is a member of the United Nations, World Trade Organization, Organization of American States, and many other international bodies including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation, and Interpol.

**What is Chile's human development status?**
Chile has a high Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.855 (2021), classified as "Very High," with an inequality-adjusted HDI of 0.722 (2021).

**What are Chile's major holidays and public celebrations?**
Public holidays include New Year's Day, International Workers' Day, Christmas, Carnival, All Saints' Day, Epiphany, and Tourism Week.

**What administrative divisions does Chile have?**
Chile is divided into 16 administrative regions, including the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which contains the capital city.

**What is Chile's relationship with neighboring countries?**
Chile shares borders with Argentina to the east and Bolivia to the north, and has maritime boundaries with Peru and Ecuador to the west.

## Why It Matters
Chile matters as one of South America's most stable and developed democracies, consistently ranking high on democratic governance indices and human development measurements. The country has transitioned from economic volatility to become a regional leader in social progress, political stability, and economic openness. Its democratic index score of 7.92 (2021) places it among the top democratic nations in Latin America.

The nation's significance extends beyond its borders as a member of major international organizations and as an active participant in regional affairs. Chile serves as a bridge between Mercosur countries and maintains diplomatic relations with over 50 nations worldwide. Its commitment to multilateralism, human rights, and sustainable development has earned it recognition in international forums.

Chile's economic model, characterized by a mixed economy with strong social welfare programs, has attracted international attention as a potential development template for other Latin American nations. The country's approach to issues such as marriage equality, marijuana legalization, and environmental protection has positioned it as a policy innovator in the region.

The nation's cultural influence, particularly through its contributions to literature, music, and sports, extends throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Santiago serves as a cultural hub for the Southern Cone, while the country's film and literary traditions have gained international acclaim.

## Notable For
- **First in the World**: First country to legalize same-sex marriage (2013), first Latin American country to legalize cannabis (2013)
- **High Democracy Ranking**: Democracy index of 7.92 (2021), ranking 13th globally
- **BTI Governance Index**: Scored 7.51 (2006), indicating strong governance quality
- **Human Development**: Classified as "Very High" with HDI of 0.855 (2021)
- **Freedom Status**: Designated as "free country" in Freedom in the World rankings
- **Happy Planet Index**: Score of 45.6 (2019), reflecting quality of life relative to environmental impact
- **Low Population Density**: One of the lowest population densities in South America despite high development indicators
- **Gastronomy Recognition**: Featured in TasteAtlas for culinary heritage
- **Historic Capital**: Santiago is one of South America's oldest continuously inhabited European settlements

## Body
### History and Independence
Chile's path to sovereignty began with its independence from Spanish colonial rule on September 18, 1810, following the Chilean War of Independence. The country emerged from the Captaincy General of Chile, which had been part of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru. The Declaration of Independence was formalized following negotiations between Chilean patriots and Spanish authorities, with the Treaty of Lircay establishing the country's boundaries.

Prior to independence, the territory was known as the Captaincy General of Chile and was contested between Spanish and indigenous Mapuche populations. The country's name derives from the Chile River, which forms part of its eastern border with Argentina.

### Geography and Environment
Chile occupies a territory of 756,102 square kilometres in the southern cone of South America, stretching over 4,300 kilometres from north to south. The country lies at coordinates latitude -33° and longitude -71°, placing it entirely in the Southern Hemisphere. The landscape is characterized by diverse ecosystems, from the Atacama Desert in the north to the Patagonian ice fields in the south, with the highest point being Ojos del Salado.

The country shares its eastern border with Argentina and its northern border with Bolivia, separated by the Andes mountain range. The western and southern coasts border the Pacific Ocean, with the lowest point at sea level. The easternmost point is located at coordinates lat: -55.22008886, lon: -66.41690522, while the westernmost point is at lat: -49.01248498, lon: -75.69271624. The northernmost point is at lat: -17.49848, lon: -69.4683, and the southernmost point has coordinates of lat: -56.53826, lon: -68.72005.

The country is located within the Andes mountain system and is named after the Chile River. Other significant water bodies include the Río Biobío, which bisects the country, and numerous smaller rivers and streams. The climate varies significantly from arid desert conditions in the north to temperate rainforests in the south.

### Government and Politics
Chile operates as a presidential constitutional republic with a presidential system of government. The President serves as both head of state and head of government, currently Gabriel Boric, who assumed office on March 11, 2022. The executive body is the Cabinet of Chile.

The legislative body is the National Congress of Chile, a bicameral parliament consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of Chile. The highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court of Chile.

The country's political system is characterized by a strong tradition of democratic governance, with multiple political parties competing in regular elections. The New Majority coalition has been a significant political force in recent decades. Chile's democracy index score of 7.92 (2021) places it among the top 15 most democratic nations.

### Demographics and Society
As of 2021, the population is approximately 19.458 million. The population has grown from approximately 7.85 million in 1961 to over 19.5 million in 2021, with urban population of approximately 16.9 million versus rural population of approximately 2.6 million.

The society is highly urbanized, with the urban population reaching 16.9 million in 2021 compared to a rural population of 2.6 million. The life expectancy at birth is approximately 80 years (2022). The birth rate is 1.75 children per woman (2024), and the death rate is 7.2 per 1,000 people (2020). The suicide rate is 8 per 100,000 people (2019).

The official language is Spanish, with indigenous languages including Mapudungun, Aymara, and Rapa Nui also recognized. Compulsory education begins at age 6 and continues until age 18. The age of majority is 18. The preferred retirement age is 66 years.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy is characterized by a mixed economy with strong social welfare programs. The nominal GDP was $316.7 billion in 2021. The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 44.9 (2020). The unemployment rate is 6% (2014). The VAT rate is 19% standard.

The currency is the Chilean peso, issued by the Central Bank of Chile. The median income is approximately $20,000. Individual income tax rates are progressive, ranging from 10% to 45% (2021 figures).

Infrastructure includes a right-hand traffic system (since September 2, 1945). Speed limits vary by road type: 120 km/h on highways, 100 km/h on two-lane expressways, 80 km/h on paved rural roads, and 50 km/h in built-up areas. The electrical system operates at 220V and 50Hz using Europlugs and Type L plugs.

### International Relations and Memberships
Chile maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including Argentina, Brazil, United States, China, Spain, and many others. It is a member of the United Nations (since December 24, 1945), World Trade Organization (since January 1, 1995), Organization of American States (since 1948), UNESCO (since November 8, 1947), and many other international bodies including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation, and Interpol.

### Symbols and Culture
The national flag is the Flag of Chile. The coat of arms is the Coat of arms of Chile. The anthem is the National Anthem of Chile. The motto is "Por la razón o la fuerza". The country is known by the nicknames "La República de la Constancia" (The Republic of Constancy) and "La Tierra de la Poesía" (The Land of Poetry).

Cultural highlights include the historic capital of Santiago, one of South America's oldest continuously inhabited European settlements. The country is also known for its contributions to literature, music, and sports, with Santiago serving as a cultural hub for the Southern Cone.

### Administrative Divisions
Chile is divided into 16 administrative regions: Arica y Parinacota Region, Tarapacá Region, Antofagasta Region, Atacama Region, Coquimbo Region, Valparaíso Region, O'Higgins Region, Maule Region, Biobío Region, Araucanía Region, Los Ríos Region, Los Lagos Region, Aysén Region, Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Region, Santiago Metropolitan Region, and Ñuble Region. Each region has its own administrative and political structure, contributing to the country's regional diversity.

### Technical Identifiers and Standards
The country uses the .cl top-level internet domain and has an international calling code of +56. The aircraft registration prefix is CC. The license plate code is RCH (since 1930). The maritime identification digits are 725. The mobile country code is 730.

The ISO codes are Alpha-2: CL, Alpha-3: CHL, Numeric: 152. The M49 code is 152. The emergency number is 131 (medical), 132 (fire), 133 (police). The timezone is UTC−03:00 (standard time), Chile/Argentina.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/chile)
2. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/place/Chile)
3. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/place/Santiago-Chile)
4. [La Unidad Monetaria de Chile](http://www.bcentral.cl/billetes-monedas/unidad-monetaria/index.htm)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
8. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Americas/CHILE)
9. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
10. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/chile)
11. [International Hydrographic Organization](https://www.iho.int/srv1/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=452&lang=en)
12. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
13. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
14. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=69)
15. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
16. [Source](https://www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program-requirements)
17. [Source](http://icdo.org/who-we-are/members/observer-states.html)
18. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/chile)
19. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
20. [Source](https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Parties?lang=e)
21. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
22. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
23. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
24. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
25. FIPS 10-4
26. MusicBrainz
27. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
28. World Bank Open Data
29. [Source](http://www.cooperativa.cl/noticias/pais/poblacion/censos/resultados-preliminares-del-censo-2017-hay-17-373-831-personas-en-chile/2017-08-31/102417.html)
30. [Source](https://datosmacro.expansion.com/paises/chile)
31. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
32. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
33. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
34. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
35. Official Names of the United Nations Membership
36. The National Terminology Database for Irish
37. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
38. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
39. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
40. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
41. [Source](https://www.minsal.cl/la-esperanza-de-vida-en-las-americas-aumenta-a-75-anos/)
42. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
43. BabelNet
44. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
45. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
46. WikiUMLS: Aligning UMLS to Wikipedia via Cross-lingual Neural Ranking
47. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
48. [Source](https://apps.who.int/gho/athena/data/xmart.csv?target=GHO/SDGSUICIDE,SDG_SH_STA_SCIDEN&profile=crosstable&filter=COUNTRY:*;REGION:*;AGEGROUP:-&x-sideaxis=COUNTRY;SEX&x-topaxis=GHO;YEAR)
49. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
50. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/chile/)