Land: Mountains are covering up most of the country's area and they are usually the snow capped Andes peak, which cover up its eastern side. The Cordillera de la Costa, the largest range, dissects Chile from the north to the south.

Chile alone has over six hundred volcanoes, out of which some have already erupted while others are still active. They are known as the ring of fire on the Andes Mountain. Many deep valleys cover up Chile from the Andes Mountain and go towards the Pacific Ocean.

Many waterfalls take place due to the presence of the Lake District, which is a known landscape situated in the south, providing other small lakes. A large number of glaciers extend from the ice fields and go all the way to sea level. The second largest lake, Carrera, is formed by these melting glaciers.

Apart from these many rivers are flowing, from the upper side of the Andes Mountain, towards the Pacific Ocean and are even shared by its neighboring country, Argentina.

 

Administrative divisions: 15 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Arica y Parinacota, Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Los Rios, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso
note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica.

Independence: September 18 

Legal System: democratic republic

Population:15,980,912

Ethnic groups: 65% Castizo,30% White (Spanish, German, others), 5% Indigenous, (Mapuche, others).

Religions: The Chile religion mainly comprises of Catholics and Protestants and the proportion vary drastically on the basis of the society and economical status of the country. However the principal religion in Chile is Roman Catholicism..

Language: Spanish in the official language of Chile. There are also quite a few indigenous languages such as  Mapudungun (spoken between the Itata and Tolten rivers) and Aymara (spoken in the mountains of the north).

Time Zone: GMT-4

Telephone Codes: +52

Internet Country Codes: .cl

Climate: Extending over 38 degrees of latitude, from the tropics to the vecinity of Antarctica, and from sea level to altitudes of over 20,000 feet, Chile has a wide variety of climatic conditions. Extreme aridity prevails over the northern part of the country; the average annual rainfall in this region is 0.04 inches. Temperatures are moderate along the coast throughout the year and more extreme inland, especially in the central basin. The average temperatures for the hottest (February) and coldest (July) months are 72F and 60F.
 

Central Chile (30-40 degrees latitude) has a Mediterranean type of climate, with cool and rainy winters (April to September) but without a completely dry season. Average annual precipitation increases substantially and temperatures decrease toward the south. The average temperatures for the hottest (January) and coldest (July) months at Santiago are 68 F and 46.6F, respectively. The average annual precipitation at Santiago is approximately 15 inches.
 

The climate of the southern region is cool and rainy the year round. It is characterized by abundant low clouds. The average temperature for the warmest (January) and the coldest (July) months are 57F and 40F respectively.. The average annual precipitation is 119 inches. The changes of the snow line on the westward-facing slopes of the Andes can serve as an indication of the variation in climatic conditions with latitude and altitude. The line of permanent snow is approximately 18,000 feet in Chile's extreme north. It descends to 14,000 feet opposite Santiago and to 2,200 feet at Tierra del Fuego.

Custom/Visa: Entry requirements for Americans: No visa is required by US nationals for visits of up to 90 days, but a US$131 reciprocity fee, payable in USD cash on arrival, will be charged for tourists. The receipt is regarded as a multiple entry visa and is valid until expiry of passport. A passport is required for travel to Chile.
 

Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals do not require a visa for visits of up to 90 days. A passport is required.
 

Entry requirements for Canadians: No visa is required by Canadians for visits of up to 90 days, but a US$132 reciprocity fee, payable in USD cash on arrival, will be charged for tourists. The receipt is regarded as a multiple entry visa and is valid until expiry of passport. A passport is required for travel to Chile.

Imports:
The following goods may be imported into Chile without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes and 500g of tobacco and 50 large cigars or 50 small cigars; 2.5l of alcohol (only for visitors over 18 years of age); a reasonable quantity of perfume.

Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, business equipment and other items . It is advisable to contact the Embassy of your destination country in Washington or one of that countrys consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of those countries with serious problems in this regard can be found here. U.S. Customs and Border Protection may impose corresponding import restrictions in accordance with the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act.

Other Chile customs information

Immunization against Yellow Fever is required if going to Easter Island within six days of visiting infected countries.
Immunization against typhoid and Polio are sometimes advised.

Food drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is pasteurised and is safe to drink without boiling, except in very remote areas of the countryside. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Immunisation against tetanus and hepatitis A is advised. Epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis occur. Chagas disease has been reported in rural areas but other insect-borne diseases are largely absent.
Rabies is present in animals. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
 

Exchange: 1 US Dollar = 618.511 Chilean Peso.

Health/Water:
Healthcare: Health insurance is essential
General Health Information: Chile is free of most illnesses that generally require vaccination. Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines, however, are recommended if you want to be on the safe side.

Tap water is generally safe to drink, but your stomach may take some time to get used to it. If you have a sensitive stomach, you may want to drink bottled water. Food is also safe, but make sure to wash foods and vegetables thoroughly. Think twice when eating raw seafood shellfish. Avoid eating seafood during the summer.

In the winter, the smog in Santiago can become a health risk. The city declares "pre-emergency" or "emergency" states when the level of smog is dangerously high and takes measures to limit emissions. When the air quality is in pre-emergency or emergency state, children, senior citizens and people with respiratory problems should avoid trips to downtown Santiago whenever possible. The Health Ministry may cancel physical education classes and recommend that children avoid outdoor activity during critical periods. Children are often vulnerable to respiratory illnesses when the air quality is low.

Electricity: 220V/50Hz.

Popular Beers: mainly pale lager, though the country does have a tradition of brewing the corn beer, chichi.

Food Specialties: hile yields some of the world's finest and most varied seafood, and many of its traditional plates are specialties from the sea. The vineyards that are nestled between the ocean and the Andes on rich volcanic soil are comparable to the best of Mediterranean Europe and California. Wine is not reserved for the upper classes alone.