World Country Guide

Area
756,096 sq km (291,930 sq miles).

Population
15,589,147 (2002 official estimate).

Population Density
20 per sq km.

Capital
Santiago (de Chile). Population: 4,668,473 (2002).

Geography
Chile is situated in South America, bordered to the north by Peru, to the east by Bolivia and Argentina, to the west by the Pacific and to the south by the Antarctic. The country exercises sovereignty over a number of islands off the coast, including the Juan Fernndez Islands and Easter Island. Chile is one of the most remarkably shaped countries in the world; a ribbon of land, 4200km (2610 miles) long and nowhere more than 180km (115 miles) wide. The Andes and a coastal highland range take up one-third or half of the width in parts, and run parallel with each other from north to south. The coastal range forms high, sloped cliffs into the sea from the northern to the central area. Between the ranges runs a fertile valley, except in the north where transverse ranges join the two major ones, and in the far south where the sea has broken through the coastal range to form an assortment of archipelagos and channels. The country contains wide variations of soil and vast differences of climate. This is reflected in the distribution of the population, and in the wide range of occupations from area to area. The northern part of the country consists mainly of the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world. It is also the main mining area. The central zone is predominantly agricultural. The south is forested and contains some agriculture; further south, the forests on the Atlantic side give way to rolling grassland on which sheep and cattle are raised.

Government
Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1810. Head of State and Government: President Ricardo Lagos Escobar since 2000.

Language
The official language is Spanish, but English is widely spoken.

Religion
Predominantly Christian, of which 72 per cent are Roman Catholic.

Time
Mainland and Juan Fernndez Islands: GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from second Sunday in October to second Saturday in March).
Easter Island: GMT - 7 (GMT - 6 from second Sunday in October to second Saturday in March).

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs and screw-type bulbs are used.

Communications

Telephone
Full IDD available. Country code: 56. Outgoing international code: 00. Compaa de Telfonos de Chile provides most services, though there are a few independent companies. Cheap rate is applicable Mon-Fri 1800-0500 and all day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Mobile telephone
GSM 1900 network. Operators include Entel PCS (website: www.entelpcs.cl), Telefonia Movil and Telefnica Movil de Chile. Roaming agreements exist. Quality of coverage can be variable.

Fax
ITT Communicaciones, Telex Chile and Transradio Chilena provide services in main towns.

Internet
ISPs include Entel Chile (website: www.entelchile.net). There are some Internet cafes in the main towns.

Telegram
Telex Chile, Transradio Chilena and ITT Communicaciones Mundiales provide services in main towns.

Post
Daily airmail services to Europe take approximately 3 to 4 days. Post office hours in Santiago: Mon-Fri 0900-1800; Sat 0900-1300. The Central Post Office in Santiago is located at Agustinas 1137, Plaza de Armas.

Press
Spanish dailies include El Mercurio, La Nacin and Las ltimas Noticias. Foreign newspapers are available.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.