Chile

1
Chile

• Republica de Chile

2
Flag and Coat of Arms

• The star represents a guide to progress and
  honor.
• Blue symbolizes the sky.
• White is for the snow covered Andes.
• Red stands for blood spilled to gain
  independence.

• Was designed in 1834 by Charles Wood Taylor
• Condors are the most prominent bird in Chile.
• The hemul is a rare mammal in Chile.
• The two animals are wearing the Navys crown
  that symbolizes the heroic deeds of the Navy.
• The feathers resemble the hats Presidents used
  to wear and the motto Por la razon o la fuerza
  means By right or mind and is the national
  motto.

3
Geography

• Chile spans along most of the western border of
  South America.
• Total area is 292, 260 square miles.
• Slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana.
• Extends approx. 2,700 miles north to south.
• The southern tip of Chile, Cape Horn, is only
  400 miles North of Antarctica.
• Average width of the country is only about 110
  miles.
• Peru and Bolivia border it to the North,
  Argentina to the East, and the Pacific Ocean to
  the West.
• The capital of Chile is Santiago
• The Andes mountains run along basically all of
  Chile. Since the country is so big, the climate
  is very diverse.

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History-1(Pre-Colonial Period)

• Before the Spanish conquest of Chile about
  500,000 Indians inhabited it.
• Spanish conquest of Chile began in 1536-1537.
• Diego de Almagro and Francisco Pizarro invaded
  Chile in search of Another Peru.
• They found neither gold nor civilization so
  returned back to Peru.
• In 1540-1541 Pedro de Valdivia returned and
  conquered and colonized the area.
• In 1553, the Araucanian Indians rose up in
  revolt and killed Valdivia.
• The Chilean conquest was finally completed by
  Governor Don Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza during
  the late 1550s.

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History-2(Colonial Period)

• Settlers could not find many valuable metals so
  they turned to agriculture.
• In 1600 the Mestizo culture started to grow
  rapidly and was one of the most prominent in the
  region.
• In 1758 courses were opened at the University of
  San Felipe in Santiago and attracted various
  students throughout the Andes region.
• Intellectual life in Chile during the period
  developed slowly.

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History-3(Struggle for Independence)

• September 18, 1810 local leaders were elected at
  a town meeting to start the movement towards
  gaining independence from Spain.
• On October 1-2, 1814 Jose Miguel Carerra and his
  brothers, who desired complete independence from
  Spain fought in the Battle of Rancagua lost and
  moved to Argentina.
• Jose de San Martin raised an army to try and
  defeat the Spaniards to gain independence.
• Finally after many years of struggle Chile
  gained its independence on February 12, 1818.

7
Climate

• Chile is split up in three major zones the
  northern desert region, central Mediterranean
  zone, and humid-cool southern region.
• Chile crosses 38 degrees of latitude allowing it
  to have many climates.
• If snow falls in central Chile it doesnt stay
  on the ground for more than a couple hours.
• During the summer cold sea winds keep
  temperatures down and dont allow heat waves.
• North of 27 degrees south latitude there is
  virtually no rainfall.
• Average rainfall in Santiago is 13 inches a
  year.
• Volcanic eruptions, volcanic earthquakes,
  tsunamis, are all common.

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Government

• Republic of Chile
• President Michelle Bachelet (March 2006)
• President is head of state and government
• Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches
• Senate has 38 seats and is bicameral
• Chamber of Deputies has 120 seats.
• Supreme Court judges are appointed by the senate
  every three years.

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Economy

• GDP 202.7 billion (2006)
• GDP per capita 12,6oo (2006)
• 6.94 million labor force
• 7.8 unemployment rate.
• 18.2 population below poverty line.
• Agricultural products include grapes, apples,
  pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches etc
• Industries include copper and other minerals,
  fish processing, iron and steel, cement, and
  textiles.
• 58.21 billion in exports.
• Trade partners U.S.A., Argentina, Japan, and
  Brazil.
• Currency is the Chilean Peso.

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Population

• Population is 16,284,741 (2007)
• Average age is 30.7 years old 29.8 male,
• and 31.7 female.
• Birth rate is 15.03/1000 population.
• Death rate is 5.87/1000 population.
• Life expectancy is 76.96 years old 73.69 for
  males, 80.4 for females.
• White and White Amerindian 95, Amerindian
  (native) 3, Other 2.

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Education

• 95.7 Literacy Rate
• Primary and High School education is mandatory
  for Chilean students.
• Education is free and public.
• Primary school is from 5-13 years of age.
• Secondary school is from 13-18 years of age.
• - University Selection Test to get into college.

(University of Santiago)
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Sources
"Chile." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2007.
Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 4  Oct.  2007
 lthttp//www.britannica.com/eb/article-24697gt. CI
A World Factbook https//www.cia.gov/library/publi
cations/the-world-factbook/geos/ar.html