A long, narrow country located along the western edge of South America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, and Argentina to the east. Chile stretches over 4,000 km from north to south and includes diverse landscapes such as the Atacama Desert, the Andes Mountains, fertile central valleys, temperate rainforests, fjords, and subantarctic islands.
Population:
Approximately 19 to 20 million people in the mid-2020s, with a large proportion living in urban areas, especially around the capital city of Santiago.
Brief History:
Originally inhabited by various Indigenous groups including the Mapuche, the region was colonized by Spain in the 16th century. Chile declared independence in 1818 and developed a relatively stable republic during the 19th century. The country experienced significant political upheaval in the 20th century, including a military dictatorship from 1973 to 1990, followed by a transition back to democratic governance.
Current Day:
Today Chile is a democratic presidential republic with one of the more stable economies in Latin America. It is a major global producer of copper and has growing sectors in agriculture, renewable energy, and services. Chile plays an active role in regional cooperation and international trade, while contemporary politics focus on social reforms, economic development, and constitutional change.
Image Credit: By Addicted04 (talk) – Own work, CC BY 3.0. [Accessed 06/02/2026]
