chile

=__Chile__=

__Fast facts__

 * Location:** Southern Hemisphere, Western boarder line of South America, East of the Pacific Ocean
 * Size/Area:** 756,95 square kilometers
 * Climate:** Temperate Climate, hot, desert in North, Moderate and warm in the central areas and cool, damp in the south.
 * Population:** 16,284,741
 * Language:** Spanish
 * Currency:** Chilean Peso
 * Head of Country:** President Michelle Bachelet
 * Type of Government:** Republic
 * Capital City:** Santiago
 * Flag:**

Chile is located in the southern hemisphere in the western part of South America. It is situated east of the South Pacific Ocean and north of Antarctica (the southern most place in the world.) Chile has a few neighbouring countries the most refered to is: Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.

__Geographical Features__
Chile's capital city is Santiago which is on the east boarder, about half way down the extremely long and narrow country. The Andes mountains forms one of the longest continuous mountain ranges on Earth, extending from the Caribbean Sea as far south as the Magellan Straits. the country Chile streches an amazing 4,630 km North to South but only a short 430 km from East to West.

__Climate__
Chile has a temperate climate almost all year round but it is also a country that has a large variety of climates depending on where you are in the country. Like in the north there is a warm desert like climate whilst in the south there is cool and damp temperatures all year round. Then is the central areas of Chile it is a Mediterranean climate.

__Economy__
Chile has a market-oriented economy based on a high level of foreign trade. The GDP for Chile is at a low $99.55 billion (2006 estimate) and the GDP per Capita (PPP) is $12,600 (2006 estimate).The major exports from Chile include from the Agricultural category: grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber, and from the Industry category: copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles. the major Export partners for Chile are: US 15.6%, Japan 10.5%, China 8.6%, Netherlands 6.7%, South Korea 5.9%, Italy 4.9%, Brazil 4.8%, France 4.2%. Imported goods that go to Chile include: petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas. These items are imported from Chile's import partners: US 15.6%, Argentina 12.6%, Brazil 11.8%, China 9.7%

__Government__
The proper name for Chile is the republic of Chile which would mean Chile is a republic. Chile became independant from Spain on the 18th of September 1817. This day is now known as Independanece Day. Sufferage like many other countries is 18 and it is cumpolsory to vote once you reach this age. the legal system is based on the Spanish Law which Chile decided to keep after they became independant. There is some influence from France and Austria in the making of the legal system in Chile. The Chief of State and leader of the executive branch is President Michelle Bachelet Jeria. In Chile the chief of State is also the head of Government.

__History__
Surrounded on three sides by virtually impassable barriers, Chile's rich central valley remained largely unknown to the outside world until the middle of the fifteenth century, when the Incas began to invade much of the continent. The invading army were experiencing the same difficulties as the Incas were experiencing all over South America, and they advanced about half way down the valley's five hundred mile length. However, the Incas soon found that they had met their match in the Mapuche, who decisively defeated the Incan attempt to cross over the Rio Maule into the Lake District. The Incas established a stable presence in the territory they had gained, but they did not see fit to pursue the redoubtable Mapuche any further. Less than a century later, a Spanish army attempted to do just that. In 1541, Pedro de Valdavia crossed into the central valley, having followed the Inca road south from Peru. He founded Santiago in February, and soon afterward crossed into Mapuche land and established strongholds there. In 1553, in a way familiar to the Spaniard Valdavia, they bound him to a tree and beheaded him. For the next four hundred years the Spanish, like the Incas before them, found it appropriate to maintain a massive defensive presence in the central valley. During these centuries the regions under Spanish control were permitted to trade directly with Peru. Chile gained its independence from Spain in 1817, after seven years of warfare.