Chile

Internet country code

.cl

Internet hosts

202,429 (2003)

Internet users

3.575 million (2002)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 180 (eight inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (one inactive) (1998)

Telephone system

general assessment: modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations international: country code - 56; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

3.467 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

6,445,700 (2002)

Television broadcast stations

63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997)

Agriculture - products

grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans, beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber

Budget

revenues: $15.44 billion expenditures: $16.02 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2003 est.)

Currency

Chilean peso (CLP)

Currency code

CLP

Current account balance

$-594 million (2003)

Debt - external

$43.15 billion (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

56.7 (2000)

Economic aid - recipient

ODA, $40 million (2001 est.)

Economy - overview

Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of 1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth rebounded to 4.2% in 2000. Growth fell back to 3.1% in 2001 and 2.1% in 2002, largely due to lackluster global growth and the devaluation of the Argentine peso, but recovered to 3.2% in 2003. Unemployment, although declining over the past year, remains stubbornly high, putting pressure on President LAGOS to improve living standards. One bright spot was the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took effect on 1 January 2004. In 2004, GDP growth is set to accelerate to more than 4% as copper prices rise, export earnings grow, and foreign direct investment picks up.

Electricity - consumption

40.13 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

1.386 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

41.66 billion kWh (2001)

Exchange rates

Chilean pesos per US dollar - 691.433 (2003), 688.936 (2002), 634.938 (2001), 535.466 (2000), 508.777 (1999)

Exports

$20.44 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities

copper, fish, fruits, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine

Exports - partners

US 16.2%, Japan 10.5%, China 8.6%, South Korea 4.7%, Mexico 4.3%, Italy 4.2% (2003)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $154.7 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 6.4% industry: 38.6% services: 55.1% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $9,900 (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.3% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 41% (2000)

Imports

$17.4 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities

consumer goods, chemicals, motor vehicles, fuels, electrical machinery, heavy industrial machinery, food

Imports - partners

Argentina 19.4%, US 13%, Brazil 10.4%, China 6.6% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2003 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

21.2% of GDP (2003)

Labor force

6 million (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 13.6%, industry 23.4%, services 63% (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

6.47 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

5.27 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

1.2 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

67.78 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Oil - consumption

241,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

13,640 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

81.05 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Population below poverty line

20.6% (2000 est.)

Public debt

14.8% of GDP (2003)

Reserves of foreign exchange & gold

$15.84 billion (2003)

Unemployment rate

8.5% (2003 est.)

Area

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

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

Climate

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

Coastline

6,435 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m

Environment - current issues

widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage

Environment - international agreements

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

30 00 S, 71 00 W

Geography - note

strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions

Irrigated land

18,000 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 6,171 km border countries: Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km

Land use

arable land: 2.65% permanent crops: 0.42% other: 96.93% (2001)

Location

Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200/350 nm

Natural hazards

severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis

Natural resources

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

Terrain

low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east

Administrative divisions

13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

Capital

Santiago

Constitution

11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981, amended 30 July 1989, 1993, and 1997

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Chile conventional short form: Chile local long form: Republica de Chile local short form: Chile

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Craig A. KELLY embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago mailing address: APO AA 34033 telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600 FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Andres BIANCHI chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746 FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1999, with runoff election held 16 January 2000 (next to be held NA December 2005) election results: Ricardo LAGOS Escobar elected president; percent of vote - Ricardo LAGOS Escobar 51.32%, Joaquin LAVIN 48.68%

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the blood spilled to achieve independence; design was influenced by the US flag

Government type

republic

Independence

18 September 1810 (from Spain)

International organization participation

APEC, BIS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 21-member court); Constitutional Tribunal

Legal system

based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction note: Chile is in the process of completely overhauling its criminal justice system; a new, US-style adversarial system is being gradually implemented throughout the country with the final stage of implementation in the Santiago metropolitan region expected in June 2005

Legislative branch

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (48 seats, 38 elected by popular vote, 9 designated members, and 1 former president who has served a full six-year term and is senator for life); elected members serve eight-year terms (one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 20 (PDC 12, PS 5, PPD 3), APC 16 (UDI 9, RN 7), independents 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPD 62 (PDC 24, PPD 21, PS 11, PRSD 6), UDI 35, RN 22, independent 1

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Chile ("Alianza") or APC - including RN and UDI; Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Adolfo ZALDIVAR]; Coalition of Parties for Democracy ("Concertacion") or CPD - including PDC, PS, PPD, PRSD; Communist Party or PC [Gladys MARIN]; Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Pablo LONGUEIRA]; National Renewal or RN [Sebastian PINERA]; Party for Democracy or PPD [Victor BARRUETO]; Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Orlando CANTUARIAS]; Socialist Party or PS [Gonzalo MARTNER]

Political pressure groups and leaders

revitalized university student federations at all major universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Background

A three-year-old Marxist government was overthrown in 1973 by a dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, have contributed to steady growth and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.

Military branches

Army of the Nation, National Navy (including Naval Air, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps), Air Force of the Nation, Chilean Carabineros (National Police)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$2,839.6 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

4% (2003)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 4,207,066 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 3,107,454 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service; all citizens 18-45 are obligated to perform military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy and Air Force (2004)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 131,283 (2004 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 25.8% (male 2,090,165; female 1,996,972) 15-64 years: 66.3% (male 5,235,061; female 5,261,820) 65 years and over: 7.8% (male 515,698; female 724,241) (2004 est.)

Birth rate

15.77 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate

5.71 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups

white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,400 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

26,000 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 9.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages

Spanish

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.38 years male: 73.09 years female: 79.82 years (2004 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.2% male: 96.4% female: 96.1% (2003 est.)

Median age

total: 29.8 years male: 28.9 years female: 30.7 years (2004 est.)

Nationality

noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population

15,823,957 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate

1.01% (2004 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish negligible

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.06 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Disputes - international

Bolivia has reactivated its claim to the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884 to secure sovereign maritime access for Bolivian natural gas; dispute with Peru over the economic zone delimited by the maritime boundary; Beagle Channel islands dispute resolved through Papal mediation in 1984, but armed incidents persist since 1992 oil discovery; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims

Illicit drugs

important transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the US; economic prosperity and increasing trade have made Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone, but a new anti-money-laundering law improves controls; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising

Airports

363 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 71 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 15 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 293 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 60 under 914 m: 217 (2004 est.)

Highways

total: 79,814 km paved: 15,484 km (including 294 km of expressways) unpaved: 64,330 km (2000)

Merchant marine

total: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 725,216 GRT/954,519 DWT by type: bulk 10, cargo 5, chemical tanker 9, container 3, liquefied gas 1, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea/passenger 1, vehicle carrier 4 foreign-owned: Argentina 1 registered in other countries: 28 (2004 est.)

Pipelines

gas 2,583 km; gas/lpg 42 km; liquid petroleum gas 539 km; oil 1,003 km; refined products 757 km (2004)

Ports and harbors

Antofagasta, Arica, Chanaral, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso

Railways

total: 6,585 km broad gauge: 2,831 km 1.676-m gauge (1,317 km electrified) narrow gauge: 3,754 km 1.000-m gauge (2003)