The Republic of Chile By Eric Scheiner Spanish 2

National Symbols Coat of Arms National Flower- Copihue

National Anthem Chile, your sky is a pure blue, Pure breezes blow across you, And your field, embroidered with lowers, Is a happy copy of Eden. Majestic is the snow- covered mountain That was given to you by the Lord as a bastion, That was given to you by the Lord as a bastion, And the sea that tranquilly washes your shore Promises future splendour for you, And the sea that tranquilly washes your shore Promises future splendour for you. CHORUS: Gentle homeland, accept the vows Given, Chile, on your altars, That you be either the tomb of the free Or a refuge from oppression. Puro, Chile, es tu cielo azulado, Puras brisas te cruzan también, Y tu campo de flores bordado Es la copia feliz del Edén. Majestuosa es la blanca montaña Que te dio por baluarte el Señor, Y ese mar que tranquilo te baña Te promete futuro esplendor. CHORUS: Dulce Patria, recibe los votos Con que Chile en tus aras juró Que o la tumba serás de los libres O el asilo contra la opresión.

Chile’s History In 1973, a Marxist government was overthrown by a dictatorial military regime Led by Augusto Pinochet In 1990, a freely elected president was installed There have been sound economic policies since the 1980s Has contributed to steady growth Help secure commitment to representative and democratic government

Chile’s History Increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles Has befitted its status as a stable, democratic nation Gained independence from Spain on September 18, 1810

Landmarks The Andes Santiago La Chascona Home of the poet Pablo Neruda Hot Springs Torres Del Paine National Park Atacama Desert

Family Life Strong sense of family and home Very close-knit Father is the head of family Upper classes Large, spacious homes Employ servants Middle classes More modest than upper class Struggle to keep up appearance of social status Lower classes Makeshift homes No running water or electricity

Special Holidays Independence Day September New Year’s Holy (Easter) Week March or April Labour Day May 1 Navy Day May 21 Corpus Christi June Assumption of the Virgin August 15 Columbus Day October 12 Immaculate Conception December 8 Christmas Day- December 25

Currency Chilean Peso Currency Code CLP Chilean Pesos per U.S. Dollar / U.S. Dollar

Chile’s Leaders Chief of State- President Ricardo Lagos Escobar Head of Government- President Ricardo Lagos Escobar

Transportation Railways 6,585 km Highways 79,814 km Pipelines Gas: 2,583 km Liquid Petroleum Gas: 539 km Oil: 1,003 km Refined Products: 757 km Airports Paved runways: 71 Unpaved runways: 193 Ports and Harbors Antofagasta Arica Chanaral Coquimbo Iquique Puerto Montt Punta Arenas San Antonio San Vicente Talcahuano Valparaiso

Meals Four meals a day Light breakfast Toast Cup of tea or coffee Lunch Main meal Between 1 and 3 PM Many business close at this time Onces Afternoon tea Between 5 and 7 PM Includes sandwich and a pastry Dinner Between 9 PM and Midnight These meals reflect nature of Chilean workday Work from 9 AM to around 8 PM

Typical Foods World’s finest and most varied sea foods Vineyards and fine wines German cooking is popular Many Chinese restaurants Cazuela Clear broth with rice, potato, and corn on the cob Empanadas Lomo a la pobre Poor mans steak Mariscos Shellfish Centolla King crab

Government Republic Capital is Santiago Constitution effective March 11, 1981 National Congress 48 Seats in the Senate 120 Seats in Chamber of Deputies Political parties- Alliance for Chile Christian Democratic Party Coalition of Parties for Democracy Communist Party Independent Democratic Union National Renewal Party for Democracy Radical Social Democratic Party Socialist Party

School System Children start school at age 6 Begin in Parvularia system (like pre- school) Next is Basica level (Elementary school) Then Media level (Middle school) Finally, Superior level (High school) Most children go to public schools

Problems with the School System Schools in wealthier neighborhoods receive more funding than those in poorer areas Higher end neighborhoods have access to modern technology Financially challenged student don’t get that privilege Poorer children have limited job opportunities

Sports Rayuela Throwing heavy metal disks toward a string stretched across damp ground in order to make them land on the string Fútbol Soccer Chile’s national sport La fiesta huasa Rodeo Chueca- Means “curved stick” A hole marks center of field and goal lines are drawn at each end. Each team tries to knock a small rubber ball into the hole using a curved stick. The 1 st player to succeed has to drive the ball into one of the goals.

Religion Roman Catholic 89% Protestant 11%

Famous Dances The Cueca Chile’s national dance Enacts courtship of a man and woman Cueca Chilata reflects the southern style Cuando Polka Pavo Means “turkey” Imitates movements of these birds

Climate Temperate climate Atacama Desert in the North Mediterranean in Central region Cool and damp to the South