Chile, defined as a tricontinental country due to its presence in the continents of Oceania, Antarctica, and South America, is mainly characterized by its territory situated on the southwest coast of the later.

The Chilean South American territory has an approximate extension of 2,500 miles, running from north to south between 17º30'S and 56º32'S, having as a main axe, the meridian of 70ºW. What is surprising, is Chile's width, ranging between only 66 miles and 292 miles.

Due to this great continental extension and the presence of 2 important sea currents (the Humbolt, running north from the Antarctic, and El Niño, running south from the equator), Chile presents a great quantity of climates, which express themselves in very distinctive areas, ranging from the driest desert in the world, to some of the also on global scale, highest rainfall areas.

Chile's population is very diverse, and is the result of the integration of the indigenous groups with the Spaniard migrations which started in the 16th century, and the later migrations of many Europeans, mainly from Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Croatia.

Today Chile has approximately 16 million inhabitants, of which most live in cities. Santiago, the country's capital, concentrates roughly a 40% of the population, which is mainly due to labor expectations.

More...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
< Back  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


   
   
   
   
© Intrans, 2010