Chile, republic, south-western South America, bordered on the north by Peru, on the east by Bolivia and Argentina, and on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean. It has an extreme north-south length of around 4,272 km, but its average width is less than 180 km. Archipelagos extend along the southern Chilean coast from Chilo� Island to Cape Horn, the southernmost point of the South American continent. Among these are the Chonos Archipelago, Wellington Island, and the western portion of Tierra del Fuego. Other islands belonging to Chile include the Juan Fern�ndez Islands, Easter Island, and Sala y G�mez, all of which lie in the South Pacific. The nation has a total area of 756,636 sq km. Chile also claims a section of Antarctica. The capital and largest city is Santiago.

Population
        14,376,000
        (1996 estimate)
Population Density
        19 people/sq km
        (49 people/sq mi)
        (1996 estimate)
Urban/Rural Breakdown
        86% Urban
        14% Rural
Largest Cities
        Santiago 5,076,808
        Concepcion 350,268
        Vina del Mar 322,220
        Valpara�so 282,168
        (1995 estimates)
Ethnic Groups
        92% Mestizo
        8% Other
        including Native Americans and Europeans
Languages
Official Language
        Spanish
Other Languages
        Araucanian, other Native American languages
Religions
        78% Roman Catholicism
        22% Other
        including Protestantism and Judaism