Chile is a long and narrow country located in South America, bordered by Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The country has a diverse geography, including the Andes mountains, the Atacama Desert, and the Pacific coastline. The capital city is Santiago, and the official language is Spanish.

Chile has a population of over 19 million people, with a mixture of indigenous peoples, European immigrants, and other groups. The majority of the population is Roman Catholic, but there are also significant Protestant and Jewish communities.

Chile is one of the most prosperous and stable countries in South America, with a strong economy based on mining, agriculture, and services. The country is the world's largest producer of copper, and also exports other minerals, such as lithium and molybdenum. Agriculture is also an important industry, with Chile exporting fruits, vegetables, and wine to countries around the world.

Chile has a democratic political system, with a president who serves as both the head of state and the head of government. The country has a long history of political stability, with a relatively peaceful transition from military dictatorship to democracy in the late 1980s.

Chile is also known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. The country has several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the historic port city of Valparaiso and the Rapa Nui National Park on Easter Island. The country is also famous for its wine, which is produced in the central valley region, and for its festivals and celebrations, such as the Independence Day celebrations in September and the Fiesta de la Tirana in July.

Despite its many strengths, Chile still faces challenges related to inequality, education, and social unrest. The country has experienced protests and unrest in recent years over issues such as inequality, corruption, and access to education and healthcare. However, the government has taken steps to address these issues, and Chile remains a strong and dynamic country in the region.

National holiday
Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

Telephone Code
56

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 131; Fire: 132; Police 132

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south

Currency (Code)
Chilean pesos (CLP)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, L

Major Languages
Spanish, English, indigenous languages

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 66.7%, Evangelical or Protestant 16.4%, Jehovah's Witness 1%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Chile, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Torres Del Paine National Park; Valle de la Luna and the Atacama Desert; Easter Island; Santiago; Chile's Lake District; Valparaíso; Lauca National Park, Cape Horn; Qhapaq Nan/Andean Road System

Major Sports
Soccer, rugby, tennis

Cultural Practices
Giving scissors or knives indicates a desire to sever a relationship.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping taxi drivers is not expected, but rounding up is appreciated. A tip of 1,000 pesos per night per person is considered a good tip for housekeeping, and a little tip per bag is expected for bellhops.

Souvenirs
Lapis lazuli jewelry, greda clay cooking pots, native pottery/ceramics, brassware, wine, merken chile seasonings

Traditional Cuisine
Pastel de Choclo — ground beef, onions, olives, and raisins, topped with a sweet corn crust; the corn crust is a paste of sweet corn kernels and basil cooked in milk or lard

Geography
Area
total: 756,102 sq km
land: 743,812 sq km
water: 12,290 sq km

Climate
temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south

Natural resources
copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower

People and Society
Population
18,549,457 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
White and non-Indigenous 88.9%, Mapuche 9.1%, Aymara 0.7%, other Indigenous groups 1% (includes Rapa Nui, Likan Antai, Quechua, Colla, Diaguita, Kawesqar, Yagan or Yamana), unspecified 0.3% (2012 est.)

Languages
Spanish 99.5% (official), English 10.2%, Indigenous 1% (includes Mapudungun, Aymara, Quechua, Rapa Nui), other 2.3%, unspecified 0.2%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2012 est.)

Religions
Roman Catholic 60%, Evangelical 18%, atheist or agnostic 4%, none 17% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate
0.63% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Santiago; note - Valparaiso is the seat of the national legislature

Economy
Economic overview
export-driven economy; leading copper producer; though hit by COVID-19, fairly quick rebound from increased liquidity and rapid vaccine rollouts; decreasing poverty but still lingering inequality; public debt rising but still manageable; recent political violence has had negative economic consequences

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$496.085 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$25,400 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
grapes, apples, wheat, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, tomatoes, maize, poultry, pork

Industries
copper, lithium, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles

Exports
$100.634 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
China 32%, United States 14%, Japan 9%, South Korea 7% (2019)

Exports - commodities
copper, wood pulp, fish fillets, pitted fruits, wine (2019)

Imports
$102.086 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
China 24%, United States 20%, Brazil 8%, Germany 5%, Argentina 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, delivery trucks (2019)