Chile

G

Transportation

Chile has good internal transportation. A network of roads, of which 20 percent are paved, covers 79,604 km (49,464 mi). Railroad lines total 2,030 km (1,261 mi) in length and extend from Iquique in the north to Puerto Montt in the south. The main north-south system is connected by spur lines to important coastal towns and by trans-Andean lines to points in Argentina and Bolivia. The railway also links Chile with Peru.

Because of the difficult terrain, many coastal cities rely on water transportation. Fine harbors are few, however. The principal ports are Valparaíso, Talcahuano and Tomé (both located on Concepción Bay), Antofagasta, San Antonio, and Punta Arenas. The most important international airports in the country are located near Santiago and Arica; others are at Antofagasta, Puerto Montt, and Punta Arenas. Airlines also facilitate travel between major cities within Chile.

H

Communications

Chile has a wide variety of modern communications media. In 1996 the country had 52 daily newspapers. El Mercurio, La Nación, and La Tercera de la Hora, all published in Santiago, have considerable influence. The constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the media, and the media are able to criticize the government and retain their independence. Television includes a national government network, several independent stations, and many cable networks. In 1997 there were 354 radios and 244 televisions in use for every 1,000 residents; there were 211 telephone mainlines per 1,000 inhabitants in 2005.

I

Currency and Banking

The basic unit of currency is the Chilean peso (560 pesos equal U.S.$1; 2005 average). The peso was introduced in 1975 to replace the escudo. The Central Bank of Chile, established in 1926, issues Chile’s currency, and it has broad powers to regulate monetary policy. Other banks include a state bank and a number of commercial and development banks.

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J

Foreign Trade

In 2004 total annual exports were valued at $30.9 billion. Metals and mineral ores typically constitute nearly half of the export total. Other important exports include fruits and vegetables, wood pulp and paper products, and chemicals. In 2004 imports were valued at $22.4 billion. Principal imports are machinery and transportation equipment, electric equipment, mineral products, and chemicals. Chile’s chief trading partners for exports are the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, China, Brazil, and Mexico. Principal sources for imports are the United States, Argentina, Brazil, China, Germany, Mexico, and Japan.

Chile is a member of several international trade organizations, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA). Chile is also an associate member of Southern Cone Common Market (known by its Spanish acronym, MERCOSUR).

V

Government

The government of Chile was based on the constitution of 1925 until a military coup d’état in 1973. Although the constitution remained nominally in effect, most of its provisions guaranteeing popular democracy and due process were suspended. A new constitution was approved in 1980 and enacted in 1981, although its major provisions were not fully implemented until 1989. Significant changes were made to the constitution in 2005. All citizens aged 18 and older are entitled to vote.

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