Introduction
Background
Prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, the Inca ruled northern Chile for nearly a century while an indigenous people, the Mapuche, inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, it did not achieve decisive victory over the Spanish until 1818. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.
Geography
Area
total: 756,102 sq km
land: 743,812 sq km
water: 12,290 sq km
Climate
temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south
Natural resources
copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower
People and Society
Population
18,549,457 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
White and non-Indigenous 88.9%, Mapuche 9.1%, Aymara 0.7%, other Indigenous groups 1% (includes Rapa Nui, Likan Antai, Quechua, Colla, Diaguita, Kawesqar, Yagan or Yamana), unspecified 0.3% (2012 est.)
Languages
Spanish 99.5% (official), English 10.2%, Indigenous 1% (includes Mapudungun, Aymara, Quechua, Rapa Nui), other 2.3%, unspecified 0.2%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2012 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 60%, Evangelical 18%, atheist or agnostic 4%, none 17% (2018 est.)
Population growth rate
0.63% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Santiago; note - Valparaiso is the seat of the national legislature
Executive branch
chief of state: President Gabriel BORIC (since 11 March 2022); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Gabriel BORIC (since 11 March 2022)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of:
Senate or Senado (50 seats); members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open party-list proportional representation vote to serve 8-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 4 years)
Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (155 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open party-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
export-driven economy; leading copper producer; though hit by COVID-19, fairly quick rebound from increased liquidity and rapid vaccine rollouts; decreasing poverty but still lingering inequality; public debt rising but still manageable; recent political violence has had negative economic consequences
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$496.085 billion (2021 est.)
$444.249 billion (2020 est.)
$472.495 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$25,400 (2021 est.)
$23,000 (2020 est.)
$24,800 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products
grapes, apples, wheat, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, tomatoes, maize, poultry, pork
Industries
copper, lithium, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles
Remittances
0.03% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.02% of GDP (2019 est.)
0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)
Exports
$100.634 billion (2021 est.)
$79.733 billion (2020 est.)
$77.255 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
China 32%, United States 14%, Japan 9%, South Korea 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities
copper, fish fillets, wood pulp, pitted fruits, wine (2021)
Imports
$102.086 billion (2021 est.)
$68.118 billion (2020 est.)
$82.324 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
China 24%, United States 20%, Brazil 8%, Germany 5%, Argentina 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, delivery trucks (2019)
Exchange rates
Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
758.955 (2021 est.)
792.727 (2020 est.)
702.897 (2019 est.)
641.277 (2018 est.)
648.834 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Thursday, December 21, 2023
