All about Chile from a geographical perspective.

1. Chile
By Shiv Mirpuri

2. Quick Facts
• Officially called the Republic of Chile.
• Situated in South America between the Andes and the Pacific
Ocean.
• Borders Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Drake Passage.
• Population - 17.3 million.
• Capital - Santiago.
• Language Spoken - Spanish.
• Currency - Chilean Peso.
• Earthquakes and Volcanic eruptions.
• Includes the Pacific Islands of Juan Fernandez,
Salas y Gómez, Desventuradas and Easter
Island.

3. Physical Features
• It is the longest north-south country in
the world (4630km) so has a remarkable
variety of landscapes.
• The Andes - longest continental
mountain range in the world.
• The central Andes makes the most
defining feature of the Chilean border.
• Resulted by the collision of the South
American continental plate and the
oceanic Pacific plate.
• Includes some of the highest peaks in
the world.

4. North Chile
Atacama Desert
• Driest desert in the world.
• Composed mostly of salt lakes and
sand.
• The soil has been compared to that
of Mars.
• Rich in copper and nitrate deposits.
• Location of Chilean mining accident
(2010) where 33 miners were
rescued after 69 days trapped
underground.

5. North Chile
Active volcanoes
• E.g ‘Ojos del Salado’( ‘eyes of salt) in the
Andes is the highest volcano in the world at
6893m.
Loa River
• U - shaped river in the north.
• Chile’s longest river at 440km.
• Main watercourse in the Atacama.
La Serena
• City in northern Chile
• Fastest growing area of Chile.
• Important beach destination in summer.

6. Central Chile
• Home to the majority of the population.
• Includes the three largest metropolitan areas-
Santiago, Valparaíso and Concepción.
• Has the richest agricultural land in the country.
• Grape country to the best Chilean wines.
• Contains more than 70 of Chile’s active
volcanoes e.g Calabazos.
Maipo River
• Main river flowing through Santiago
Metropolitan Region
• 250km long
• Source is the Maipo Volcano in the Andes.

7. Central Chile
Viña del Mar
• City in Central Chile’s Pacific Coast.
• Meaning ‘Vineyard by the Sea’.
• Long stretches of white sandy
beaches.
• Chile’s fourth largest city.
Santiago
• Capital city
• Financial, cultural and political
centre of Chile.
• Founded by Spanish Conquistador
Pedro de Valdivia in 1541.
• Population around 5.5 million.

8. South Chile
• Also known as Chilean Patagonia.
• Home to the Lake District of Chile.
• Between lakes, there are rivers,
waterfalls, forests, the Andes and
volcanoes.
General Carreras
• Biggest Lake in Chile.
Baker River
• Largest river in Chile in terms of
volume of water.
Villarica
• One of Chile’s most active volcanoes (
last eruption-2007)
Punta Arenas
• Largest city in the Magallanes region
of Patagonia.
• Free Port.

9. Climate
• Seasons opposite times from northern
hemisphere.
• Dec., Jan., Feb. = Summer.
• June, July, Aug. = Winter.
North Chile
• Very arid
• World’s lowest amounts of precipitation
(rain) in the Atacama since it is in the rain
shadow between high Andes and Chilean
Coast Range.
• Highest levels of solar radiation.

10. Climate
Central Chile
• Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and moderately
wet, cool winters.
South Chile
• Snow-prone Alpine climate with glaciers, fjords and lakes.
• Rainy and windier climate than in the north.

11. Primary Industries
Copper Mining
• One eighth of the population employed in
mining.
• CODELCO – state-owned.
Other Mining
• Gold and Silver
• World leader in natural nitrate production.
Forestry
• Woodchips and pulp production.
Fishing
• Salmon - large Chilean export.
Agriculture
• Large producer of apples, pears and grapes.

12. Secondary Industries
• Food processing and export.
• Production and export of wine around the world.
• Tobacco, drink production and plastic production.
• Large textile, clothing and leather industry.

13. Tertiary Industries
Tourism
• Beauty of landscape.
• Incan history.
Media
• Three national newspapers.
• 45% of population had internet access in 2010.
Transportation
• Aviation is important because of Chile’s geography.
• Buses used too for long distances.
• Railways not commonly used.
• Santiago Metro.

14. Quaternary Industries
Government
• Major employer in Chile.
• President = Sebastián Piñera.
Scientific Research
• 22 institutes conducting research on
agriculture, natural sciences and technology.
Education
• Adult literacy rate = 95.6% in 2004.

15. Immigration
• In 2007, Chile ranked 15th out of 18 Latin American countries
on openness to migrants.
• Chile’s immigrant population has grown more than any other
South American country.
• Due to increased democratic and economic stability.
• Largest immigrant groups = Argentina, Peru, Bolivia and
Ecuador respectively.
• (Both my uncles have immigrated to Chile).

16. Immigration
Concerns and Fears over Peruvian
Migrants
• Since 1992, there has been an increase of
394%.
• Concentrated in Santiago, making them
more visible.
• Physical features look like indigenous
features- associated with poverty and lack
of education.
• Chilean press responsible for creating
sense of fear towards Peruvian influx.

17. Conclusion
Overall Chile is a beautiful country with spectacular views of the
Andes and other natural landscapes which attract tourists. It is a
great place to live and visit since it is a thriving country full of
diversity and culture.