LOCATION:

Chile is situated between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean in a narrow stretch of land in South America.

LANGUAGE:

Spanish is the official spoken language.

Mapudungun is the language that Mapuches speak (4% of population) in a southern region.

CHILE

People: The population is 16,454.143 million as of July 2008.

80% of the population are Catholics. However, the state is atheist yet respectful of the faiths of other religions.

Ethic Groups: * White and White Amerindian 95,4%.* Mapuche (indigenous): 4%* Other indigenous groups: 0.6%

FOOD:

The typical food preparation is principally based on meat, potatoes, maize and fruits and vegetables. The extended shores provide the country with delicious fish and seafood amongst which are salmon, trout, eel, sea scallops and lobsters.

Traditional Food: Empanadas

• Meat and Cheese Empanadas

GOVERNMENT

Chile is a stable democratic nation.The President is Mrs. Michelle Bachelet.The National Congress consists of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies..

Famous PeoplePablo Neruda: Poet ( Nobel Prize in Literature 1971)

Gabriela Mistral: Poet (Nobel Prize in Literature 1945 )

Don Francisco: TV Entertainer (TV program “Sabado Gigante” Univision – Miami)

Cecilia Bolocco: Miss Universe 1987

Isabel Allende: Writer

Important Celebrations

* Navidad (Christmas) (December)* Viña del Mar International Song Festival (February)* Independence Day (September 18) * Semana Santa (Easter) (March or April)

Contrast and diversity characterizes Chile’s geography. In the north, the climate conditions the existence of the driest desert in the world located in the Atacama region. While in the center and the south of Chile, green and fertile valleys multiply and provide fruits and vegetables for the population and the international markets that are used to the high quality of our fruits, wines and grapes among others. 

Climate

Chile in Pictures

Sources CitedImages taken from:

www.cepoetry.blogspot.comwww.poetseers.orgwww.internationalkidsfun.comwww.people.comwww.cia.govwww.dailymotion.com