Chile

1.History of the country

Pre-Hispanic period - Conquest and colonization (1540-1810)

The pre-Hispanic period corresponds to the history of

different American-Indian groups (figure 1, example of
tribes in the south of the country) present in the territory from
around the year 14 800 BC until the arrival of the Spanish
colonists. European exploration of the continent began in
1492. Fernando Magallanes and his expedition were the first
Europeans to arrive in Chile, traversing the narrow southern
strait that today bears his name in 1520.
However, the title of discoverer of Chile is usually assigned
to Diego de Almagro, who headed in 1536, an expedition to
the Valle de Aconcagua and explored the area which is now
the north of the country. After this initial excursion there was
little interest from colonial authorities in further exploring
modern-day Chile.
However, Pedro de Valdivia, captain of the army, realizing
the potential for expanding the Spanish empire southward,
asked Pizarro's permission to invade and conquer the southern
lands.

Figure 1: Patagonian Indian tribe

(source:waikowhai2.wordpress.com)
The independence (1810-1827)

Chile began its bid for independence after the Spanish crown
changed hands in the Napoleonic Wars. Chile won its independence from Spain in 1818 under
Bernardo O'Higgins and an Argentinian, José de San Martin. O'Higgins, dictator until 1823, laid the
foundations of the modern state with a two-party system and a centralized government.

The dictator from 1830 to 1837, Diego

Portales, fought a war with Peru from
1836—1839 that expanded Chilean
territory. Chile fought the War of the
Pacific with Peru and Bolivia from 1879
to 1883, winning Antofagasta, Bolivia's
only outlet to the sea, and extensive areas
from Peru.

Figure 2: Expansion of Chilean territory. The Beginning of the Republic

(source: Viviana Muñoz Vasquez)
Pedro Montt led a revolt that overthrew
José Balmaceda in 1891 and established a parliamentary dictatorship lasting until a new constitution
 was adopted in 1925. Industrialization began before World War I and led to the formation of Marxist
groups. Juan Antonio Ríos, president during World War II, was originally pro-Nazi but in 1944 led his
country into the war on the side of the Allies.
From Socialism to Dictature

In 1970, Salvador Allende became the first president in a non-Communist country freely elected on a
Marxist program. Allende quickly established relations with Cuba and the People's Republic of China,
introduced Marxist economic and social reforms, and nationalized many private companies, including
U.S.-owned ones.
In Sept. 11 of 1973, Allende was overthrown and killed in a military coup covertly sponsored by
the CIA, ending a 46-year era of constitutional government in Chile.

Figure 3: President Allende and Fidèle Castro (source:Salvador Allende La Caida De Un

Presidente )

Pinochet's brutal dictatorship led to the imprisonment, torture, disappearances, execution, and
expulsion of thousands of Chileans. A government report in 2004 indicated that almost 28,000
people had been tortured during his rule, and at least 3,200 murders and disappearances had taken
place.
The economy, in tatters after the recession that afflicted the Allende administration, gradually
improved after Chile's privatization under Pinochet. In 1989, Pinochet lost a plebiscite on whether he
should remain in power.

Figure 4: Campaign to end Pinochet's gouvernment (source: theglobepost.com)

Pinochet, who had retained his post as army commander in chief after the plebiscite, retired in March
1998. In Oct. 1998, he was arrested and detained in England on an extradition request issued by a
Spanish judge who sought Pinochet in connection with the disappearances of Spanish citizens during
his rule. British courts ultimately denied his extradition, and Pinochet returned to Chile in March 2000.
He died in Dec. 2006 at age 91, before facing trial for the abuses of his 17-year dictatorship.
References:
https://www.infoplease.com/world/countries/chile/history
https://www.thisischile.cl/history/?lang=en
2. Population characteristics

2.1 Cultural Data

Indigenous peoples in Chile, represent about 10% of the total population. The Mapuches, from the
south, accounted for approximately 85% of this number. There were also small populations of
Aymara, Quechua, Atacameño, Kolla, Diaguita, Yaghan, Rapa Nui and Kawaskhar in other parts of
the country, as well as many other extinct cultures such as Cacahue, Chango, Picunche, Chono,
Tehuelche, Cunco and Selknam. (Figure 4)

Figure 5: Cultural distribution of Indigenous Chileans in the past (source: US bureau of Democracy,
Human Rights & Labor 2006)

Figure 6: Ethnic groups in Chile 2012,( source: cia.gov.com)

Religion in Chile
Much like its population is diverse in ethnicity, the
religious groups that are represented in Chile are
JudaismOthers equally diverse. The largest religion demographic in
0% 7%
Chile is Roman Catholicism, with just over 1/2 of
the population identifying with the religion in one
unaffiliated way or another. The second largest religious group
25% in Chile after Catholicism is unaffiliated, or non-
Roman religious, tied with Protestant Christianity. There
Catholicism
54% are also a few small minority religions that are
present in Chile, some of which predate the arrival
of Europeans in the 1500s. Others were introduced
Protestanti by colonialists, missionaries, and settlers over time.
sm
14%
Few data about Chile…

Fertility Rate

Population 1.81 According to Worldometers,

March 2019

18 299 206 25 Person/Km²

Urban population
91% Median Age
34,1 years

Chile's population has grown

steadily over the past 60 years, rising from only 6 million in 1950 to almost triple that number.
Chile is now the 65th most populous country,
and the 6th most populous country in South
America

The 5 largest cities in Chile are:

Santiago Metropolis 7.2 million

Greater Valparaíso: 979,000
Greater Concepción: 945,000
Greater La Serena: 412,000
Antofagasta: 390,832
 Figure 7: population of Chile at a glance
3. Political and geo-political situation of Chile
Chile's government is a representative democratic republic with the President serving as the head of
both state and government [1]. Under the representative democratic republic, the President is the head
of state and the head of government. In addition, the National Congress is divided into the Chamber of
Deputies and the Senate. This branch of government carries out legislative power and shares executive
power with the President. A separate judiciary branch carries out matters of legal concern. In 2005, the
President amended the Constitution in order to reduce presidential terms to 4 years with no immediate
re-election and to eliminate appointed senators.
3.1 Executive Branch of the Government of Chile
Under the executive branch, the President is responsible for carrying out the administration of
government affairs, which includes endorsing and officially declaring new laws. The President
appoints Governors of the 53 provinces and Intendants of the 15 regions. The Presidential authority
also allows for appointment and removal of Cabinet Ministers.

3.2 Legislative Branch of the Government of Chile

As previously mentioned, the National Congress carries out the legislative duties of the country by
drafting and amending laws. This branch also works to ensure that laws are carried out by the
government. Members were elected by a binomial voting system, which gave two representative seats
to each district based on the party with majority votes and the runner-up. This system kept two parties
in power: The New Majority and the Alliance. This system changed with the electoral reform
movement of 2015. Under the new voting system, the number of representatives has been decreased,
basing representation on district population size. This new system could also increase a district’s
number of senators and will give third party candidates a bigger chance of winning. It also requires
40% of candidates to be women.

3.3 Judicial Branch

The judicial branch acts independently of the executive and legislative branches of government. It
consists of a Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Constitutional Tribunal, and military courts. The
Supreme Court is the last and highest court in the nation. The Court provides the Senate with a list of
potential judges from which the President makes appointments. The legal system is based on Roman
Law, originating in Europe and based on a set of codified principles. The Civil Code of Chile was
created in 1855 and borrows from Spanish law.

3.4 Level of corruption

Chile is the 27 least corrupt nation out of 175 countries, according to the 2018 Corruption Perceptions
Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Rank in Chile averaged 21.13 from 1995
until 2018, reaching an all-time high of 27 in 2018 and a record low of 14 in 1995.

Figure 8: Ranking of corruption in Chile

Companies face very low risks of corruption in Chile, the least corrupt country in Latin America.
Chile has strong and transparent institutions that promote business and that have effective mechanisms
to investigate and punish corrupt practices. Risks stem mostly from a strong connection between
politicians and the economy, which can affect public procurement.

Figure 9: Ranking of corruption of Chile in comparison with other countries, Source: Transparency
international, 2018

3.5 Etiquette

Chileans are proud of their country and their literacy rate of over 95%. The culture and religion is
primarily Roman Catholic, and the family unit is of great importance in terms of social structure. The
father is considered the family head, but the mother’s importance is respected as well. Education and
family background are often scrutinized; race is not considered important. When meeting and greeting,
Chileans are often warm, and look for reciprocation from visitors. Common greetings include a
handshake, hug, or a kiss on the right cheek. Visitors should greet the head of the household or a
senior individual first. Chileans stand closer to others than most North Americans or Europeans, and it
is considered rude to back away. It is also considered rude to click your fingers or beckon with an
index finger.

3.5 Conflicts and disputes

It is encouraging to note that some of the longest-lasting and most serious boundary disputes in South
America have been settled since 1990—Argentina and Chile, Ecuador and Peru, Chile and Peru,
Brazil and all its neighbors.

4.Overview of the Economy of Chile

Chile has a mixed economy, which means that it is made up of both private and state-owned
corporations. The privately-owned businesses are regulated by limited government policies. The
economy of Chile is one of the most secure and productive in South America. It is ranked by the
World Bank as a high-income economy. According to the Global Competitiveness Report, Chile has
the most competitive economy in South America and the 30th most competitive in the world. It means
this country has a stable economy. Chile is the first Latin American country to become a member of
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It has a workforce of 8.3
million and an unemployment rate of 6.9%.

4.1 Leading industries of Chile

The leading industry of Chile is the services sector, which contributes 53.1% of the GDP. The industry
sector contributes 41.8% of the GDP and the agricultural sector contributes 5.1%. The leading industry
products include: copper, fish processing, iron and steel, other minerals, wood products, cement, and
textiles.

4.2 Top export goods and export partners of Chile

In 2017 Chile exported $70.1B, making it the 42nd largest exporter in the world. During the last five
years the exports of Chile have decreased at an annualized rate of -2.3%, from $79.4B in 2012 to
$70.1B in 2017. The most recent exports are led by Copper Ore which represent 23.7% of the total
exports of Chile, followed by Refined Copper, which account for 21.2%.

Figure 10 : List of top exports from Chile, Source: https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/chl/

Figure 11 : List of top destination of exports from Chile,
Source:https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/chl/

4.3 Top import goods and import partners of Chile

In 2017 Chile imported $62.7B, making it the 45th largest importer in the world. During the last five
years the imports of Chile have decreased at an annualized rate of -3.9%, from $77.5B in 2012 to
$62.7B in 2017. The most recent imports are led by Cars which represent 6.83% of the total imports of
Chile, followed by Refined Petroleum, which account for 5.81%. The top import origins of Chile are
China, the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Germany.

Figure 12 : List of top imports to Chile, Source: https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/chl/

 Figure 13 :
List of top
import
countries to
Chile,
Source:

https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/chl/

4.4 Challenges faced by the economy of Chile

Despite decreasing unemployment rates, increasing wages, and a lack of perceived corruption in
government, the economy of Chile still faces some significant challenges to growth. Some economists
claim that the poverty rate has not decreased as much as the government has reported. These critics
claim it is hovering around 29%. While foreign direct investment has been gradually increasing, its
funds are directed at only 4 major sectors: gas, mining, water, and electricity. Additionally, the gap
between the rich and the poor is constantly growing wider. For example, the richest 20% of the
population earns 60% of the GDP, while the poorest 20% only earns 3.3% of the GDP. This gap
makes it difficult for those at the bottom of the socio-economic scale to progress in economic stability,
health, and education.

4.5 Future economic plans

Plans for the future of Chile’s economy include continued growth and an expansion of the tourism
industry. Currently, this country receives around 3.6 million tourists every year, but it is hoping to
receive between 4 and 5 million by 2018. To achieve this, the government is attempting to develop
tourist activities and attractions in each of its 15 regions. Additionally, the government is creating
public policy to encourage public-private partnerships to encourage private investment in the tourism
industry. Additionally, inflation is expected to decrease slightly and consumer spending is expected to
increase through 2017 and 2018.

The fiscal deficit is expected to decline gradually beginning in 2018. Fiscal policy has been counter-
cyclical in recent years. Sluggish economic growth and lower copper prices had a negative impact on
fiscal income at the same time that the government increased spending, reaching a deficit of 2.7
percent of GDP in 2017. The economic recovery and compliance with the fiscal rule should lead to an
estimated deficit of 2 percent of GDP in 2018. This gradual economic strengthening is supported by
the fiscal austerity measures recently announced by the Treasury Department, which includes
spending cuts equal to 1.6 percentage points of GDP in four years. Additionally, a tax reform bill was
recently introduced in Congress to facilitate tax collection and promote investment. Total public debt
is expected to reach 25 percent of GDP in 2018, compared with 23 percent in 2017, but it is still low
compared with other Latin American countries.

Growth of GDP is expected to peak at 4 percent in 2018 to subsequently fall to 3.3 percent in 2020.
This minor slowdown is associated with gradual adjustments in monetary and fiscal policy, combined
with a less favorable external environment, stagnant copper prices and low global growth. The current
account deficit is expected to grow to 2 percent of GDP in 2018 and to remain stable in 2019-2020.
This increase reflects the rise in imports due to expanding investment and consumption that exceeds
the increase in exports owing to higher international copper prices.

Responsible macroeconomic and fiscal management provides a solid base for more inclusive growth.
To achieve this potential, however, Chile needs to build consensus to respond to the expectations of a
growing middle class at the same time it increases economic growth potential. In the short term, it is
crucial to recover the trust of the private sector to stimulate investment in sectors in addition to
mining. In the longer term, the country must address structural challenges to promote productivity,
improve energy provision, reduce dependence on mining and increase access to and quality of social
services.

5. Natural – climate context of Chile

5.1 Pedoclimatical context

Chile’s natural resources include its mineral reserves, forests, agriculture, use of groundwater and
fishing. Chile has deserts to the north, ice to the south, the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to
the west.

Its surface covers 4,200km and spans a wide variety of climates: deserts (Atacama), subtropical
(Easter Island), and polar (Antarctica).

The country can be divided into 5 regions: the Far North, the Near North, the Central Zone, the South,
the Far South. (Figure 1).

The Far North is an arid area in which the Atacama desert is located. Land in
the Near North is scrubland, and there are large, fertile valleys, ideal for
agriculture.

The Central Zone holds the metropolitan region and the capital of Chile. It is
the most urbanised area in the country and has a scrubby, mediterranean
climate.

The climate in the South is humid, and there are many woods, forests, and
large lakes. There are also native forests with oaks, coihue and rauli beeches.
These provide a source of food and medicinal plants for some communities.

In the Far South there are cold steppes, tundra, high glaciers, and polar
climates. The latter is found in Chile’s Antarctic territory.

Land Use: The Chilean economy is based in the primary sector, including
mining, agriculture, fishing resources, and forestry, and as a result it depends
heavily on factors such as water and ecosystems.[ CITATION Ree14 \l 1033 ]
Figure 7. Regions of Chile

5.2 Natural resources.

Also in In Chile there are different natural resources. Each zone of Chile have different natural
resources production North

The north mostly product copper. Also there are important natural resources like timber, iron, nitrates
and very important metals.

Center the center zone mostly produces wine and also wood and wool, because of the weather.

The south zone mostly produces salmon; also, it produces steak, and some times of wood.

Water Resources
Chile has plenty of water resources within its borders. The country has the second longest
coastline in South America. The country’s Pacific coast is approximately 2,700 miles from north
to south. Chile owned private fishing companies operate along the coast, and there are several
fish-processing companies in the northern part of Chile. It is a major supplier of fish, and fish oil
to South American countries, and exported to Europe, the United States. Some of the fish
produced in Chile include sardines, hake, anchovy, and Jack mackerel. The water resources in
Chile are also useful in providing hydroelectric power. [ CITATION Saw18 \l 1033 ]

Forests

Chile has vast forests on its land; it is the second largest sector in the South American nation. Most
of the forests are found in the central region that have the temperate ideal for growing forests.
Some of the indigenous trees that grow in the country are oaks, pines, rauli, coigue, and laurel
trees. Close to 14% of Chile’s export income comes from the forestry industry. The trees are used
in the paper industry, the timber industry, an also supply firewood to the local communities.
[ CITATION Saw18 \l 1033 ]

Arable Land
Chile is endowed with large tracts of arable land. The land supports agricultural activities in the
country. Agriculture is a big industry in Chile. The country has an estimated 34,600 acres of arable
land. Some of the crops grown in the country are apples, corn, grapes, oats, beans, peaches, wheat,
and onion. The farmers in Chile also rear animals such as cattle, pigs, and poultry. The agricultural
industry in Chile employs approximately 17% of Chile’s workforce. Besides, agriculture
contributes to the national income through exports. Some of the agricultural goods exported to
South American countries are sugar beets, fresh fruits, wines, vegetables, and dairy products.
[ CITATION Saw18 \l 1033 ]

5.3 Level of deforestation and urbanization

Deforestation.

The area covered by forests represents 23.3% of the national territory, that is, 17.66 million
hectares. Of these, the native forest, reaches 14.41 million. The remaining 3 million hectares are
forest plantations (4.07% of Chile's total forests).[ CITATION Dìa18 \l 1033 ]

For the period 2010 - 2015 a reduction in the annual deforestation rate was verified, Chile is the
third country in the world with the greatest gain in forest area, according to Conaf, with an
increase of 300 thousand hectares between, with an annual growth rate of 1%. This because they
have implement differences laws like example the Native Forest Recovery and Forest
Development. The objective of this law is to protect, recover and improve the native forest
through different measures. One of these is to reforest the surface once it was exploited, so that the
purpose of: cut tree = planted tree is fulfilled [ CITATION FAO17 \l 1033 ]. Deforestation in Chile is
controlled by 98%, today there are no large forest losses, and those that are documented are
mainly due to eruption or volcanic activity or forest fires [CITATION Min15 \l 1033 ].

Urbanization

Chile has undergone significant transformation in the past three decades, including growth in
population levels and urbanization. This growth has been a key factor in Chile’s success in
reaching an improved quality of life. In 2010, approximately 15.2 million people lived in Chile’s
 urban areas, representing about 89% of the population; and it is estimated that by 2025, the urban
population will constitute over 90% of the total [ CITATION OEC13 \l 1033 ].

5.4 Natural and health risk

Chile is one of the more dangerous countries around the world

because, have many volcanos this make it more likely to
earthquakes, and as consequence of these Tsunamis can occur.
[ CITATION Monnd \l 1033 ]

In the Figure 2. It can be seen the places where the quakes can
happen, been the green one areas the ones with less intensity and
the red ones with higher intensity. [ CITATION HGind \l 1033 ]

Figure 8 intensity of earthquakes

Health:
The main risk are Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Tetanus, dengue fiber and malaria.
But also there are others risks like: Altitude and Travel This country has either areas with high
altitude (2400m or more) or/and areas with very high altitude (3658m or more). Travelers who
may go into areas of high altitude should take care to avoid ill effects of being at altitude including
Acute Mountain Sickness, a potentially life-threatening condition [ CITATION FFTnd \l 1033 ].

5.5 General sanitary state

Chile's water and sanitation sector distinguishes itself by the fact that almost all urban water
companies are private. In 2015, in Chile 99% of the population had access to "improved" water,
99.6% and 93%, in urban and rural areas, respectively. In 2015, there were around 180 thousand
people with lacked access to "improved" water. Regarding sanitation, in 2015, 99% of the
population had access to "improved" sanitation, 100% and 90%, in urban and rural areas,
respectively. Around 170 thousand still lacked access to it.

The water supply and sanitation sector today is characterize for one of the best coverage and
quality levels of Latin America. One of the reasons was a gradual and lasting extension of
infrastructure that began in the 1970s. In the 1990s, most utilities improved their economic
efficiency and became self-financing companies that were partially handed over to the private
sector.

A major wastewater treatment program with the goal of treating 100% of all collected municipal
wastewater in 2012. This share has increased from 8% in 1989 to 82% in 2006. [ CITATION Wik \l
1033 ]

References
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¿qué hemos hecho y en qué debemos mejorar?:
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bosques-que-hemos-hecho-y-en-que-debemos-mejorar/
FAO. (2017, September 25). Food and Agriculture Organization. Retrieved from El estado de los
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chile/
Mongabay. (n.d.). Mongabay. Retrieved from Chile:
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Rees, A. (2014). lifeder. Retrieved from What Are the Natural resources in Chile?:
https://en.lifeder.com/natural-resources-chile/
Sawe, B. E. (2018, December 24). Worl atlas. Retrieved from What Are The Major Natural Resources
Of Chile?: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-major-natural-resources-of-
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Wikipedia. (n.d.). Water supply and sanitation in Chile. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_supply_and_sanitation_in_Chile