CHILE:

Chile, is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific forms the country's entire western border, with Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage at the country's southernmost tip.

☻Capital: - Santiago ☻Area: - Total: 756,950 kmē (38th) 292,183 sq mi - Water (%): 1.07 ☻Independence: from Spain - First Nat. Gov. Junta: September 18, 1810 - Declared: February 12, 1818 - Recognised: April 25, 1844

☻Official languages: - Spanish ☻Population: - June 2006 census: 16,432,674 (60th) - 2002 census: 15,116,435 - Density: 21/kmē (184th) 54/sq mi

When one looks at a map of South America, the country of Chile usually stands out for its long, thin strip stretching down the west of the continent. This slender country extends down the southwestern coast of South America for over 2,700 miles. At the same time though, its width does not exceed 150 miles at any point. For this, the countryīs length is 18 times any given point of its width. The shape of Chile came about during the Spanish settlement. The settlers landed on the western side of the Andes, towards the central part of the country. Two of the largest peaks in the Americas are located in this region, Aconcagua and Nevado Ojos del Salado. These mountains are a huge barrier where passes carry through to the Argentinien side. For this reason, Chile could only grow towards the north and the south beyond itīs colonial territory. It is these mountain ranges in Chile are what make this country so lovely. With more than 50 active volcanoes, this country borders the western coast near the Pacific Ocean. Despite its mountains, Chile is also made up of the Atacarna Desert towards the north and an enchanting archiplepagic maze that ends in Chilean Patagonia.


Towards the center of the country is a large river valley that is home to great farms, abounding forests and beautiful lakes. Santiago, the capital of Chile is located in the central valley and has an elevation of about 1700 feet. Roughly 5 million people live in Santiago, making it the largest city in Chile. There are two islands that also help make up the country of Chile. One being the famous Easter Island and the other, The Juan Fernandez Island, located off of the Chilean coast.

The enforcement of education for children in Chile took years to develop during the early 1900īs. Although plans had been drawn since 1812 for education to be implemented throughout the country, it was not until the 1920īs when considerable progress was made. However, by the middle of the century, many students were still not universally enrolled. This was due to high drop-out rate of children from poor backgrounds. In 1953, the government began the National Council for School Aid and Grants, which provided scholarships to children who could not afford schooling. This new program also enhanced the education system by giving free breakfasts and lunches during school hours to the students in tuition-free private and public schools. This helped encourage even families from the lowest means to place their students in school and for them to stay. By 1966 the number of compulsory years for children attendance switched from 6 to 8 years and secondary education was reduced to four years. In 2003 a law was passed by former president Ricardo Lagos that enforces mandatory education for students of secondary level as well as students of primary level. All Chilean students are required to attend school then until the age of 18. This educational law attributes to the low illiteracy rate in the country. Only about 4 percent of adult illiteracy exists in the country today.

Upper education has grown significantly over the years giving students a chance to expand their horizons. There are now about 25 state universities or private universities throughout the country and the numbers are still growing. If students want to enter state universities a University Selection Test must be taken for acceptance.
There are three mandatory sections to the test (math, literature and the history of Chile). There is however, a fee for admission which is difficult for those who do not have the sufficient funds necessary. Students today are still trying to fight this so that those who do not have the money to pay can still have the same chance to enter university.

With disease and lack of sanitation affecting the people of Chile, a health program was finally started in 1890 in order to take charge of public hygiene. By the 1920īs, through the implementation of the social security system, a dynamic role was taken to give health care to the people of Chile. The National Health Service (Servicio Nacional de Salud--SNS) was finally set up in the 1950īs after arguments by different policy makers forced the government to make some positive changes in the system. The SNS gives free medical care to families and workers who hold accounts in various funds, along with extended health care to a large population for those who are unable to pay. Through additional funding, the SNS grew and was able to place more energy into research, preventative health care and improvement on national health awareness.

All physicians were required to work for at least two years upon graduation for the SNS. In this time they were usually sent to care for patients living in rural areas where there was less access to treatment and doctors. However, due to financial difficulties in the 1970īs the national health care system was completely redesigned and since then, has expanded to how it currently is today. Currently, the Chilean health care system is made up of 5 different branches. The main component is the National System of Health Services ( SNSS ) which provides free health care to those whose income falls under a certain wage per year. They are also in charge of public national health awareness by promoting programs in regards to nutrition and preventative health care. They are the largest health care provider in the country. The other components that make up the health care system are the National Health Fund, the Security Assistance Institutions, the Instituto de Salud y Previsional Prevencion, and private medicine. Each of these plays a different role for providing health care to those in need, lower class workers, and upper class citizens.

The country of Chile has improved its healthcare dramatically over the years and has worked to improve the standards throughout the country. There has been a significant drop in infant mortality rate along with maternal mortality rate over the years. In the year 2000 it was reported that the average life expectancy is 76 years of age. The statistics show as well that in the year 2000, 94 % of the population has access to safe drinking water and 97 % has access to adequate means of sanitation.

The history of the government of Chile is similar to those in other South American countries. Prior to the mid 1500īs, the Incas controlled the land that is now known today as Chile. The Spanish invaded and in 1541, the city of Santiago was found by Pedro de Valdivia. It was not till more than 200 years later when Chile finally won itīs independence from Spain in 1818. Bernardo OīHiggins, the reigning leader at the time, laid the foundations of the current modern government with a two-party system and a centralized government. Chileīs territory was extended due to war with Peru in 1836- 1839. A new constitution was finally constructed in 1925 with industrialization giving way to the formation of Marxist groups prior to World War II. With Marxist leaders taken over, Chile became involved in a deceptive government leading to torture and disappearances of many Chileans. Army Chief of Staff Augusto Pinochet, who assumed the office of presidency in the 1970īs was responsible for the corruption. Sadly, the government of Chile reported in 2004 that close to 28,000 people had been tortured during the rule of this communist leader and about 3,200 murders and disappearances had taken place. Slowly, but surely, the government began to improve after Pinochet retired. Though he was arrested for his brutal behavior, he never received trial as he died at the age of 91 before his trial came to date.

In March of 2000, Richard Lagos became the president and the first Socialist to do so in quite some time. The economic growth of the country began to improve and the country of Chile was beginning to heal from the damage that had been previously done. New reforms were implemented and in 2004 Chile passed a law allowing divorce in the country for the first time. 2006 brought about presidential elections with candidate and socialist Michelle Bachelet winning with 53 percent of the vote. She herself was a survivor from the dictatorship of Pinochet, and took office as the first female chief of state. Since her time as president, Bachelet has worked on raising the economy, and creating free trade agreements.