CHILE
Chile is on the western coast of South America. It is one of the longest countries in the world. It covers 741,765 sq. km. Chile also claims 483,000 sq. mi. of Antarctica, some of which is also claimed by Argentina and Britain.
Chile�s lowest point is sea level. The highest point, Nevado Ojos del Salado, is 6,893 m (22,615 ft) above sea level. Some mountains in Chile are: Collaguasi, Cerro del Toro, Csorno, L. Yelcho, Co. Arenates, Co. Mellizo Sur, and Mte. Darwin.
Chile is on the American Plate. Just like North America, Central America, and the rest of South America. Chile has about nine active volcanoes and about one inactive volcano. There have been two notable earthquakes since 1900. One in Valpora�so in 1906 measured 8.6 on the Richter scale and took 22,000 lives. The other, 33 years later, in Chill�n that measured 8.3 and took 28,000 lives.
Most of Chile�s rivers empty into the Pacific Ocean. The rest empty into inland basins. Some rivers in Chile are: B�o B�o, Loa, Maipo and Maule.
Chile�s average temperature in January is 63�F. The average temperature for July is 36�F. The northern region of Chile is almost entirely desert and is one of the driest areas in the world. Temperatures are lessened by the off shore presence of the cold Peru, or Humboldt, Current. Strong winds and cyclonic storms are common in the southern region of Chile. The Peruvian cold current runs down the coast of Chile in summer and winter.
Chile has had three civil wars in the last two hundred years: one in 1973, one in 1891, and one that lasted from 1829 to 1830.
Chile�s currency is the peso. One peso equals 100 centavos.
Some of Chile�s imports are: machinery and transportation equipment, chemical and mineral products and food. Some of Chile�s exports are: copper, fish meal, fruit and vegtables, paper and paper products and chemical products. Chile�s major trading partners are: Uninted States, Japan, Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Great Britain.
Chile�s population is 14,333,300. About 5 million live in the country�s capital, Santiago. Some other cities in Chile are: Vi�a del Mar (population 322,220), Concepci�n, Puerts Montt, Valdivia, Temuco, Valpoa�so, Chill�n, Antofagasta, Arica, Talcahuane, Talca, and Punta Arenas. The average lifespan of a female in Chile is 77.7 years. The average male lifespan is 6.4 years shorter than the females. That averages out to 74.5 years for the average lifespan of a Chilean.
Chile�s official language is Spanish. The major religons are Shia Islam and Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholics are about 81 percent of the population of Chile, although the church was officially disestablished in 1925. Most of the remaining population is Pentecostal Protestant.
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