Chile

About Chile

Capital

Santiago

Continent

Independence Date

18 September 1810

Official Language	Spanish
Second Language	English
Population	~20.6 million
Passport Color	Red
Passport Rank	#15
Dialing Code	56
Country TLD	.cl

Chile Overview

Chile, officially the Republic of Chile (Spanish: República de Chile), is a long, narrow country located along the western edge of South America. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The capital and largest city is Santiago.

Chile is known for its incredible geographic diversity — from the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth, to the Patagonia glaciers in the south. The country has a strong and stable economy, driven by mining (especially copper), agriculture, fishing, forestry, and tourism. Chile is also recognized for its high human development index and advanced infrastructure in Latin America.

Spanish is the official language, and the currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP). The country’s natural beauty and political stability make it one of the most visited and economically dynamic nations in South America.

Quick Facts About Chile

Coordinates	33.4489° S, 70.6693° W
Bordering Countries	Peru, Bolivia, Argentina; Pacific Ocean coastline
Region / Continent	South America
Total Area	~756,102 sq km
Population Density	~26 people per sq km
Highest Point	Ojos del Salado – 6,893 m
Major Rivers	Loa, Maipo, Bío-Bío, Baker
Climate Type	Varies from desert in the north to Mediterranean in the center and cold temperate in the south
Famous For	Andes Mountains, Atacama Desert, wine regions, Easter Island, Patagonia
Major Landmarks	Atacama Desert, Torres del Paine National Park, Easter Island, Andes Mountains
Official Language	Spanish
Currency	Chilean Peso (CLP)
Government Type	Unitary Presidential Republic
Time Zone	UTC−4 (CLT); UTC−6 (Easter Island)
Major Exports	Copper, wine, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp
Visitor Entry	Visa-free for many countries; electronic visa (E-Visa) available for others