West coast of South America.

Mainland and Juan Fernández Islands: GMT - 4 (GMT - 3 from second Sunday in October to second Saturday in March).
Easter Island: GMT - 6 (GMT - 5 from second Sunday in October to second Saturday in March).

756,096 sq km (291,930 sq miles).

15.82 million (2004 estimate).

20.9 per sq km.

Santiago (de Chile). Population: 6,000,000.

Chile is situated in South America, bordered to the north by Peru, to the east by Bolivia and Argentina, to the west by the Pacific and to the south by the Antarctic. The country exercises sovereignty over a number of islands off the coast, including the Juan Fernández Islands and Easter Island. Chile is one of the most remarkably shaped countries in the world; a ribbon of land, 4200km (2610 miles) long and nowhere more than 180km (115 miles) wide. The Andes and a coastal highland range take up one-third or half of the width in parts, and run parallel with each other from north to south. The coastal range forms high, sloped cliffs into the sea from the northern to the central area. Between the ranges runs a fertile valley, except in the north where transverse ranges join the two major ones, and in the far south where the sea has broken through the coastal range to form an assortment of archipelagos and channels. The country contains wide variations of soil and vast differences of climate. This is reflected in the distribution of the population, and in the wide range of occupations from area to area. The northern part of the country consists mainly of the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world. It is also the main mining area. The central zone is predominantly agricultural. The south is forested and contains some agriculture; further south, the forests on the Atlantic side give way to rolling grassland on which sheep and cattle are raised.

Executive power is held by the President as head of the Government, elected for a 6-year term. The bicameral Congress is responsible for legislation and comprises a 48-member Senate and a 120-member Chamber of Deputies, both elected by universal suffrage.

Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1810. Head of State and Government: President Michelle Bachelet since January 2006. Recent history: President Ricardo Lagos Escobar was elected for a six year term and took office in March 2000. He stepped down in early 2006. His successor, socialist Michelle Bachelet, beat conservative billionaire and former Senator Sebastian Pinera in the January 2006 Presidential election. She is the first woman President.
On 16 August 2005, a bill embodying 58 constitutional reforms was approved by Congress, and endorsed by President Lagos. The reforms came into effect on 11 March 2006. The key features of the reforms include: the reduction of the presidential terms from six to four years; the end of designated senators and ‘senators for life’ (previously awarded to former Presidents) - the remaining 38 senators will be elected by popular vote; responsibility removed from the armed forces as ‘institutional guarantors’; the change in functions of the National Security Council (Cosena); and the restoration of power to the President to remove the commanders-in-chief of the armed forces and the forces of order. The reform is a milestone for Chile’s continuing transition to democracy as it eliminates the so-called 'authoritarian enclaves' (military Government appointees who had occupied seats in the Senate and who have traditionally been a block to reforms proposed by the governing left-wing coalition). Although President Escobar did not succeed in gaining the support of all the political forces in order to change the binominal electoral system (another Pinochet legacy which gives disproportionate representation to the right), he, at least, succeeded in opening up the debate. Michelle Bachelet has already committed to reforming the electoral system during her Presidential term.

The official language is Spanish, but English is widely spoken.

Predominantly Christian, of which 72 per cent are Roman Catholic.

Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Most Chileans use a double surname and only the first part should be used in addressing them. Normal courtesies should be observed when visiting local people. It is very common to entertain at home and it is acceptable for invitees to give small presents as a token of thanks. Informal, conservative clothes are acceptable in most places but women should not wear shorts outside resort areas.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs and screw-type bulbs are used.