Introduction: Chile Download PDF

Chile did claim its independence from the Spanish in 1810, but did not really get it until 1818. A war with Peru and Bolivia followed, as did the subjugation of the Araucanian Indians who lived in Chile. In 1973, a military rebellion defeated the rule of Salvador ALLENDE, a Marxist. Augusto PINOCHET, the leader of the coup, then led until 1990. In the 1990s, Chile’s economy was growing the fastest in Latin America. Currently, Michelle BACHELET of the Concertacion coalition is president; this coalition has been in power since 1990. Thorough economic strategies and consistency has brought continual growth to Chile, low poverty rates, and have assured for the country’s dedication to a democratic government.

Capital City: Santiago (-4 GMT)  
Chief of State: President Michelle Bachelet Jeria  
Head of Govt.: President Michelle Bachelet Jeria  
Currency: Chilean peso  
Main Cities: Concepcion-Talcahuano, Vina del Mar-Valparaiso, Antofagasta  
Major Languages: Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English  
Calling Code: 56  
Voltage: 220  
Stock Exchanges: Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago  
Primary Religions: Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3%  

Main Airports

Santiago (SCL) (Arturo Merino Benitez)

U.S. Embassy

2800 Andres Bello Avenue, Las Condes
tel. 562-330-3000

Corporations

Antarchile (Diversified Financials)
$10.38 Billion USD
Cencosud (Retailing)
$9.69 Billion USD
Falabella (Retailing)
$5.89 Billion USD
LAN Airlines (Transportation)
$3.71 Billion USD

Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
$14,900 (2008 est.)
Inflation Rate
8.7% (2008 est.)
Population
16,601,707 (July 2009 est.)
Country Risk Ratings
A2
Ease of Doing Business
40/181
Global Competitiveness
28/134

Statistics

Labor force:
7.267 million (2008 est.)
Exports:
$66.46 billion (2008 est.)
Exports - partners:
China 15.5%, US 11%, Japan 10.2%, South Korea 5.9%, Brazil 5.7%, Netherlands 5.1%, Italy 4.3% (2008)
Imports:
$57.61 billion (2008 est.)
Imports - partners:
US 19.1%, China 11.9%, Brazil 9.3%, Argentina 8.8%, South Korea 5.6%, Japan 4.6% (2008)
Major Industries:
copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles

Rankings

Corruption Perceptions Index
7.3 out of 180
 
The Corruptions Perception Index (CPI) is reported annually by Transparency International, an international civil society organization. The CPI ranks countries in terms of the degree to which corruption exists in the misuse of public power for private benefit among public officials and politicians. CPI is a composite index determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys. The highest ranked country is the country with the least amount of perceived corruption. Index units, 10=least corrupt, 0=most corrupt.

Data collected in 2006

Source: Transparency International

E-readiness Rankings
32 out of 70
 
The E-readiness Ranking is reported yearly by the Economist Intelligence Unit, a research and advisory firm. The E-readiness Ranking evaluates the technological, economic, political and social assets of countries to assess the information and communications technology infrastructure, and the infrastructures benefits on the country's consumers, businesses and governments. The higher ranked countries have a better ability to leverage digital channels for communication, commerce, and government in order to further development.

Data collected in 2008

Source: EIU

Freedom of the Press
26 out of 191
 
The Freedom of the Press Survey is an annual report by The Freedom House, an organization that promotes and researches advocacy of freedom across countries. The Press Survey assesses the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in every country in the world. Ratings are determined by examining three broad categories: the legal environment in which media operate (0-30 points), political influences on reporting and access to information (0-40 points), and economic pressures on content and the dissemination of news (0-30 points). The highest ranked country has the greatest degree of press freedom. Index units, 1-30: Free, 31-60: Partly Free, 61-100: Not Free.

Data collected in 2006

Source: Freedom House

Global Enabling Trade Report
27 out of 118
 
The Global Enabling Trade Report is published yearly by the World Economic Forum, an independent international organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Enabling Trade Report analyzes which countries around the world enable trade from country to destination by measuring market access, border administration, transport and communications infrastructure, and the business environment. The highest ranked countries have the best factors, policies, and services facilitating the free flow of goods across borders.

Data collected in 2008

Source: World Economic Forum

Global Services Location Index
7 out of 198
 
The Global Services Location Index is published annually by A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm. The Global Services Location Index measures the viability of countries as a potential offshore destination for services, based on their financial attractiveness (0-4 points), people and skills availability (0-3 points), and business environment (0-3 points). The highest ranked country is the most attractive as a potential offshoring destination. Index units, 0=location does not provide offshore support, 10=location does provide offshore support.

Data collected in 2007

Source: A.T. Kearney

Index of Economic Freedom
8 out of 155
 
The Index of Economic Freedom is reported annually by the Heritage Foundation, a research and educational institute. The Index of Economic Freedom analyzes a wide range of issues including trade barriers, corruption, government expenditures, property rights, and tax rates to generate an overall ranking of economic freedom. The highest ranked country is the country with the least number of restrictions and constraints on businesses.

Data collected in 2008

Source: Heritage Foundation

Inward FDI Potential Index
52 out of 140
 
The Inward FDI Potential Index is reported every three years by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, an organization that promotes the integration of developing countries into the world economy. The Inward FDI Potential Index uses several economic factors that are expected to affect an economy’s attractiveness to foreign investors. The higher ranked countries are more attractive to investors. Index units, 0=low scoring country, 1=high scoring country.

Data collected in 2006

Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 2006

Tax Misery & Reform Index
-
 
The Forbes Tax Misery Index is annually compiled by Forbes, an American publishing and media company. The Tax Misery Index reflects the sum of corporate income, personal income and wealth taxes plus employer social security, employee social security and VAT/sales taxes at the highest marginal rate in each locale. The highest ranked countries impose the harshest taxes while those at the bottom are the most tax friendly.

Data collected in 2007

Source: Forbes

The Globalization Index
43 out of 198
 
The Globalization Index is compiled annually by A.T. Kearney and Foreign Policy. The Globalization Index ranks the major developed and developing countries in the world by analyzing key components of global integration, such as economic, personal, technological, and political integration. The highest ranked country is the most globalized.

Data collected in 2007

Source: Foreign Policy