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

4.72/134

Country Map

View Larger Map

gE Network

There are 12 members in the
gE Network for this country.

Chile : Introduction

Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while the indigenous Mapuche inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions. It was not until the 1880s that the Mapuche Indians were completely subjugated. After a series of elected governments, a three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, have contributed to steady growth, reduced poverty rates by over half, and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.

Chile: Banco Central de Chile

A safeguard of the stability of the Chilean currency, the Central Bank of Chile also acts as a lender of last resort by providing liquidity to institutions which have temporary cash flow problems. Available in English and Spanish.

Chile: Instituto Nacional de Estadisticas

The site for National Statistics Institute of Chile highlights the price index, employment figures, monthly indicators, regional indicators, and census figures. Site is available in Spanish and English.

Chile: The Chilean Trade Commission (Prochile)

The Chilean Trade Commission, an agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provides information from the basics of Chile to business related information. Databases include exported products and exporting companies, foreign investment application procedures, and international trade fair listings, among others. Available in English and Spanish.

Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (September 2009)