Facts About Chile

Population: 16,454,143 (July 2008 est.)

Area: 292,262 sq mi (756,950 sq km)

Population growth rate:  0.905% (2008 est.)

Capital: Santiago - 5,478,000 people

Independence Date: September 18, 1810

Government Type: Republic

Sources of additional information:

CIA World Fact Book For Chile

The Chilean US Embassy

Economy

Population below poverty: 18.2% (2005)

GDP:  $163.8 billion (2007 est.)

Per Capita GDP:  $13,900 (2007 est.)

Monetary Unit:  Chilean peso (CLP) (For exchange rates click here)

Unemployment rate:  7% (2007 est.)

Agriculture products: Grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber

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

Natural resources:  Copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower

Religions

Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%

Culture

Languages: Spanish (Official), Araucanian, German, English

Literacy rate:  95.7%

Weather

For historical weather records around the world, visit Weatherbase.com homepage or go directly to Chile's main page.