Chile’s Government

Chile is the second longest north to south country in the world with a population of 17,216,945 people. The Republic of Chile, which is its official name, is the top most stable and prosperous nation in South America. Consisting of such beautiful geography, friendly cultures, and a booming economy, Chile is a fascinating place to visit and learn about.

The country of Chile stretches for 2,672 miles along the coast of South America. Although it is a very long country, the average width of it is 112 miles. An area of 291,933 sq. miles, Chile is an active zone for earthquakes and volcanoes along with tsunami currents and storms causing fishermen the need to stay alert all times. This “Switzerland of South America” as it is often called because of its natural beauty, has mile after mile of wondrous landscapes and many different climates throughout the region. Chile is a land made up of deserts, swamps, forests, lakes, beaches, and also rich agricultural fields with a large diversity of plant life and animals, which is what the economy makes money from. Farmers grow crops and the climate condition is very important to them because of the way it can affect the plants. Chile is subject to extreme weather due to windstorms and other climate conditions ranging from arid desert in the north temperate in the central part and finally, subarctic in the south causing many different ways of living and several types of cultures among the Chileans. This lovely country also has many tourist attractions that people visit every year. Some of the main tourist attractions in Chile are the world’s driest desert, spectacular scenery of glaciers and fjords, and the volcanoes along the Pacific “ring of fire” but those are only of few sites of many.

Chileans are people who are comforting and welcoming to be around. They are often generous, friendly, honest, and outgoing. They do not like any type of forwardness or any aggressiveness at all. Their manners are shown even at the table for meals when they eat bread, meat, poultry, and beef. Chileans usually compliment the cook and do not leave directly after eating; instead, they stay for conversations. They appreciate beauty, art, politics, and are serious about education. Chileans dress like North Americans despite the fact that they do not wear shorts to do errands on the weekend or gowns and tuxedos to weddings. Instead, they wear shorts to the beach and nice jeans shopping. However, the teenagers follow the fashion trends of the United States. In Chilean culture, family is most important. The children of Chileans tend to live with their parents until marriage. It would be inappropriate for a young woman to move out alone. Adult children, especially the women are expected to look after elderly parents. Most retired Chileans can’t live off their pensions alone and require assistance from their family as they age. A majority of the Chilean population are mestizo, a result of intermarriage between the Spanish settlers and other immigrants. Some Chileans are also German, Italian, Irish, British ancestry. Chile is a Christian country, but 90% of the people are Roman Catholic. Their official language is Spanish, and the Chileans have many types of fiestas throughout the year. For example, the National Rodeo that is held every year is a tribute to the skills of the cowboys of Chile. It is a fiesta with excitement, music, and dance. Many towns and villages in Chile celebrate the feast day of Saint Peter and Saint Paul on June 29. It is an important festival to the people who live by the sea since Saint Peter was the patron of fishermen. Chile is certainly a great country that has a great culture and very lively tradition.

Chile’s government is a Republic