Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country occupying a long and narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Chile stretches over 4,630 kilometers north to south, but only 430 kilometers at its widest point east to west. Chile is the worlds 38th largest country, about twice the size of Japan. With a population of 16,6 million (2007 estimate), the density is only 22/sq. km.

Chile is divided into 15 regions, each of which is headed by an intendant appointed by the President. Every region is further divided into provinces. The official language is Spanish.

Currently Chile is one of South America's most stable and prosperous nations. Chile is strongly committed to free trade and has welcomed large amounts of foreign investment. Chile has signed free trade agreements with a whole network of countries, including the United States, the European Union, China and Japan. Chile holds the status as the region's richest country in terms of gross domestic product per capita. The currency is Peso (CLP).

The climate in Chile comprises a wide range of weather conditions across a large geographic scale. Within its borders Chile hosts humid subtropical in Easter Island, Oceanic in the south and mediterranean climate in central Chile. You also find desert in the north, alphine tundra and glaciers in the east and south east.