Republic of Chile Republica de Chile Capital: Santiago By: Catie Whelan

The Basics Government: Republic democracy President: Michelle BACHELET Jeria Climate: temperate; desert in the north; Mediterranean in the central region and cool and damp in the south Natural Resources: copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower Currency: Chilean Peso Exports: copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine Export Partners: US, Japan, China, Netherlands, South Korea, Brazil, Italy, Mexico Imports: petroleum, petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles and natural gas. Import Partners: Argentina, US, Brazil, China, South Korea, Yemen

People Land Area: 756,950 sq km (includes the Easter Islands) Population: 16,284,741 Population Density: 21 /km² or 54 /sq mi Population Growth Rate: 0.916% Net Migration Rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population Life Expectancy: 76.96 years (total); 73.69 (males); 80.4 (women) Main Ethnic Groups: white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2% Major Religion: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish 0.1%

Economy GDP (per capita): $12,700 GDP Growth Rate: 4.2% GDP (official exchange rate): $111.8 billion GDP (per capita): $12,700 GDP Growth Rate: 4.2% GDP (by sector): agriculture: 5.9%; industry: 49.3%; services: 44.7% Inflation Rate: 2.6% Unemployment Rate: 7.8% Government Budget: revenues: $36.71 billion expenditures: $26.68 billion; including capital expenditures of $3.33 billion Debt: 3.9% of GDP Current Account Balance: $5.063 billion

Fiscal and Monetary Policy Used tight monetary policy in 1998 and 1999 to reign in current account deficit Have high amounts of government spending New tax reforms to promote R & D Rapid appreciation of Chilean Peso Large amounts of FDI – goes into energy sectors Savings is 22.3% Stable Economy

Trade Zones Chile has a very open view towards free trade zones Has 57 trade agreements United States, China, India, South Korea, EU and Mexico Working on trade agreements with Asia

Social Policies Privatized pensions Government sponsored Internet centers 2 Welfare systems Adult Education Programs Work Training Programs Low crime rate

External Relations Best relations with United States in history Disputes with Bolivia, Peru and in Antarctica Best relations with United States in history On good terms with most countries

References  Background note: Chile. (2007). Retrieved 5/11, 2007, from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1981.htm Central bank of Chile. (2007). Retrieved 5/12, 2007, from http://www.bcentral.cl/eng/ Chilean government. (2007). Retrieved 5/11, 2007, from http://www.chileangovernment.gov.cl/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 CIA world factbook: Chile. (2007). Retrieved 5/11, 2007, from https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ci.html World of wonders project the Andes expedition. Retrieved 5/11, 2007, from http://www.questconnect.org/images/chile_m.gif