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| Government Type |
republic |
| Legal System |
based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
note: Chile is in the process of completely overhauling its criminal justice system; a new, US-style adversarial system is being gradually implemented throughout the country |
| Currency |
Chilean peso (CLP) |
| Economic Overview |
Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of 1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth rebounded to 4.4% in 2000. Growth fell back to 2.8% in 2001 and 1.8% in 2002, largely due to lackluster global growth and the devaluation of the Argentine peso. Unemployment remains stubbornly high, putting pressure on President LAGOS to improve living standards. One bright spot was the signing of a free trade agreement with the US on 11 December 2002. |
| Natural Resources |
copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower |
| Primary Industries |
copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles |
| Agricultural Products |
wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, fruit; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber |
| Import Commodities |
consumer goods, chemicals, motor vehicles, fuels, electrical machinery, heavy industrial machinery, food |
| Export Commodities |
copper, fish, fruits, paper and pulp, chemicals |
| Export Partners |
US 17.9%, Japan 12.2%, UK 5.9%, Brazil 5.4%, China (2001) |
| AIRPORTS of Chile |
| Antofagasta-Cerro Moreno Airport |
Antofagasta |
Detals |
| Arica-Chacalluta Airport |
Arica |
Detals |
| Concepcion Airport |
Concepcion |
Detals |
| Puerto Montt-El Tepual Airport |
Puerto Montt 10km (6miles) |
Detals |
| ARTURO MERINO BENÍTEZ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT |
The airport is located 17km (11 miles) northwest of Santiago city centre |
Detals |
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