Chile
Programs offered in Chile:
|
Area: 756,945 sq. km. (302,778 sq. mi.); nearly twice the size of California.
Cities: Capital--Santiago (metropolitan area est. 6 million). Other cities--Concepcion-Talcahuano (840,000), Vina del Mar-Valparaiso (800,000), Antofagasta (245,000), Temuco (230,000).
Terrain: Desert in north; fertile central valley; volcanoes and lakes toward the south, giving way to rugged and complex coastline; Andes Mountains on the eastern border.
Climate: Arid in north, Mediterranean in the central portion, cool and damp in south.
Population (2001): 15.3 million.
Ethnic groups: Spanish-Native-American (mestizo), European, Native-American.
Language: Spanish.
Work force (5.9 million): Services and government--36%; industry and commerce--34%; agriculture, forestry, and fishing--14%; construction--7%; mining--2%.
Government: Republic
Economy: After a decade of highly impressive growth rates, Chile experienced a moderate recession in 1999 brought on by the global economic slowdown. The economy recovered with 5.4% growth in 2000, with Asian markets rebounding and copper prices edging up. GDP growth in 2001 slowed to 2.8% and is projected to be around 3.3% in 2002.
The government's limited role in the economy, Chile's openness to international trade and investment, and the high domestic savings and investment rates that propelled Chile's economy to average growth rates of 8% during the decade before the recession, are still in place.
Country Notes:
Relations: Relations between the United States and Chile are better now than at any other time in history. Many prominent Americans and senior U.S. officials visited Chile during the period 1996-2001.
U.S. Embassy: The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Santiago are located at 2800 Andres Bello Avenue, Las Condes, (tel. 562-232-2600; fax: 562-330-3710). The mailing address is Casilla 27-D, Santiago, Chile.
Maps courtesy of www.theodora.com/maps
used with permission.
|
|
