Chile - Country facts
Location
Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
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.
Climate
temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south
Terrain
low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east
Population
15,980,912 (July 2005 est.)
Ethnic Groups
white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2%
Religions
Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL%
Languages
Spanish
Map of Chile
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