Chile (Republic of Chile, República de Chile)
A state in south-western South America occupying a long strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. On the west is washed by the Pacific Ocean, to the east borders with Argentina, on the north with Peru, in the north-east with Bolivia. Chilean territory extends along the narrow strip of the Pacific coast (the length of the country about 4329 km and a width of about 170 km).
Chile attracts millions of tourists from all over the world for its incredible beauty of the views, interesting culture, mysteries of Easter Island, a marvelous wine, a popular ski resorts with modern hotels and high quality service, by the way, in which the country ahead of all of Latin America. Here in the summer you can go skiing, mountaineering, or basking on the many beaches. Basic kinds of tourism in Chile - ecotourism, leisure, beach holidays.
The location, grounds and landscape
Chile is divided into 15 regions (including one metropolitan area), and those in the 54 provinces and 346 communities. The country is bordering to the north by Peru, in the north-east - with Bolivia, in the east - with Argentina, and in the south is separated from Antarctica by Drake Passage. The country also includes Easter Island (Rapa Nui 3700 km. West coast of the country), Juan Fernandez (700 km. West), a vast archipelago and part of the island of Tierra del Fuego in the southern part of the country, as well as many smaller islands (San Ambrosio, San Felix, Diego Ramirez, Sala-i-Gomez, Chonos archipelago, and others.)
The country's territory is 756 950 km².
Chile - one of only two countries in South America, with access to both the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean (the other - Colombia). Chile has a length of 4630 km (2880 miles) from north to south and 430 km (265 miles) from east to west. Highest point - Mount Ojos del Salado, 6893 m. Territory of the country is a narrow strip of coastal plain, bounded on the east by powerful ranges of the Andes, between which lies Longitudinal (Central) Valley. Main Cordillera and Coastal Cordillera of the Andes stretch along the whole of the country, forming numerous ridges, interspersed with small elevated plateaus and depressions. The coastline of the country is quite diverse in climatic conditions.
Population: more than 17 million 210 thousand people.
Capital: Santiago (Spanish. Santiago de Chile), with the population of 5.42 million people.
Biggest cities: Santiago.
Languages: Spanish (de facto, in the constitution is not specified); also according to the law in areas where the Indians live it is used their language along with Spanish.
Religion: Catholics - more than 80% of the population, there are also influential Protestant groups - 13% of the population, and followers of Judaism.
Time zone: GMT -4.
Calling code: +56.
Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP), consists of 100 centavos. Banknotes in circulation - 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 and 20,000 pesos, and coins of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos. Rate - 1.00 USD ≅ 525.00 CLP, 1.00 EUR ≅ 713.31 CLP.
Credit card payment systems: Visa, MasterCard, American Express.