The country named Chile having an area of 756.950km2 is officially known by the name Republic of Chile is in South America. The capital of Chile is Santiago and it shares its borders with Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east and Drake Passage to the south.
It doesn’t share its border with the Brazil and there is a narrow coastal strip which is wedged between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
Chile Etymology:-
The existence of the name of the country Chile depends on three theories. The first theory explains the defeat of Chilli by Peru. Second theory explains the name of the town and valley called Chilli. The last theory explains that the name of the country is derived from the word “Mapuche” which means the “where the land ends”, “sea gull” and the “deepest point on the earth”.
History of Chile:-
The first persons settled in Chile were migrated Indians and when they extended the empire they formed the northern Chile. Diego de Almagro and band of Spanish conquistadors were the first Europeans who came from Peru to Chile. They came to seek gold but failed. In 1540 under the rule of Pedro de Valdivia Chile became a slave and as a result of which a new city was formed known as Santiago on Febuary12, 1541.
After a long struggle the Napoleon’s brother Joseph came and Chile finally got independence from Spain on September 18, 1810. Under the rule of the army officer Bernardo O’ Higgins and the hero of the Argentina War of Independence Jose De San Martin Chile was recognized as an independent republic.
In 1881, a treaty was signed between the Argentina and Chile and Chile expanded its territory towards north after the war of Pacific. In late 19th century a parliamentary democracy was established in Chile due to which working class became powerful to elect a president. As a result of this the Marxists group came into power in 1920.
The Radical Party was established when the constitutional rule again came into limelight in 1932 and under this party Chile has increased its economy. In 1967 when the economic depression was at its peak the unemployment starts increasing.
Chile Politics and government:-
In September 1980 the Chile constitution was approved but it came into force in March 1981. Ricardo Lagos who was the president of Chile in 2005 signed the several amendments which include the positions of the senators, granting the permission to the president to remove the commander-in-chief, and reducing the term limit of the president from six to four years were passed by the congress.
In the presidential elections none of the candidate can won more than 505 of the votes. The elections held in 2005 and there was a competition between Michelle Bachelet and Sebastian Pinera, as a result of which Michelle Bachelet won.
Chile Geography:-
Due to its ribbon shaped it has a varied climate –the alpine climate in the south and the Mediterranean climate in the centre. The country is rich in forests and the volcanoes and lakes. On the eastern side of the country the Andes Mountains are famous.
Chile Currency:-
Peso is the country which is basically used in Chile.
Chile Economy:-
After the economic slowdown unemployment continuously decreases upto 7.8%. The poverty raises upto 29%. Annual growth rate is about 4% and the per capita income is about $8900.
Mineral refining, metal manufacturing, food processing, paper and wood products are manufactured upto 17%of GDP. Copper, wood products, fish, wine are the major exports and chemicals, fuels, heavy industrial machinery re the major imports of Chile.
Chile Demographics:-
About 15 million people are residing in Chile out of which 7.4 million are males and 7.7 million are females. Spanish is the official language which is used by the people of Chile and Catholic is the religion followed by them.
Chile Culture:-
Due to the Inca Empire the northern Chile has a very rich culture. The national dance of Chile is cueca and the national song is tonada.
Chile Literature:-
Chile is known s the country of the poets. The first Chilean who won the Nobel Prize for literature was Gabreila Mistral in 1945 and the other one was Pablo Neruda in 1971.
Chile Cuisines:-
Seafood, beef, fruits and vegetables are the major cuisines of Chile. Cazuela, Empanadas, Curanto are the other traditional recipies.
Chile Sports:-
The national sport of Chile is rodeo. The other popular sports are soccer, polo, basketball, tennis, and skiing. Chile won the two gold medals, six silver medals and four bronze medals at the Olympics.
Chile Tourism:-
The major spots which attract the tourists are Chungara Lake, Incaic architecture, Altiplano lakes, Andes Mountains, casino and beaches of Valparaiso.
Chile National Symbols:-
The national flower of Chile is copihue and the national animals are condor and huemul. The national flag of Chile consists of red and white bands, the blue square on which the white pointed star is imprinted which symbolizes the progress and honor, the blue color symbolizes the sky, white stands for the snow-covered Andes and red for the blood to achieve independence.
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