1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910 (republic proclaimed)
Religions
Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3% (2002 census)
Roman Catholic 84.5%, other Christian 2.2%, other 0.3%, unknown 9%, none 3.9% (2001 census)
Languages
Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English
Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used)
Exports
copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine
agricultural products, food products, oil products, chemical products, plastics and rubber, skins and leather, wood and cork, wood pulp and paper, textile materials, clothing, footwear, minerals and mineral products, base metals, machinery and tools, vehicles and other transport material, and optical and precision
External Debt
$99,400,000,000 $
$548,300,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar - 509.02 (2008 est.), 526.25 (2007), 530.29 (2006), 560.09 (2005), 609.37 (2004)
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
2.700%
2.300%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
2
Location
Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain
Area
756,102 km sq
92,090 km sq
Coastline
6,435 km
1,793 km
Climate
temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south
maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south
