Republica de Chile
In Southern South America; low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in East. 756,102 km2 (slightly < 2xMT), 2.6% arable.
Capital Santiago (pop est. 4.6M)
Population 16.6M (21.9/km2)
Life expectancy 77 years
HIV/AIDS 0.3%
Literacy 96%
Lang(s) Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English
Religions Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15%, Jehovah’s Witness 1%, other Christian 1%, none 8%, other 5%
Ethnic Groups White and white Amerindian 95%, Mapuche 4%
Gov’t Republic
GDP/cap $14,700
PCVs 1961 - 1982; 1991 – 1998, health, education and agriculture (2096 volunteers served)
Nat’l holiday Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
Focus word for 2011 - "Celebration"
Quechua: Sumachy (sue-may-chi)Books
My Invented Country: A Memoirby Isabel Allende
Book Description
In this memoir-cum-study of her "home ground," the author delves into the history, social mores and idiosyncrasies of Chile, where she was raised, showing, in the process, how that land has served as her muse.
Kids' Books
To go singing through the world: the childhood of Pablo Nerudaby Deborah Kogan Ray
New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006.
Ages 7 to 10.
Music
IllapuMegaillapu
Music from Chile
Films
La nana (Sebastian Silva, 2009)Recipes
Porotos Granados/Pumpkin and Cranberry Bean StewPastel de Choclo/Ground Beef Casserole with Corn Topping
Pisco Sour/Brandy Cocktail
