Republic Of Chile “Por la razón o la fuerza” “By right or might”

Republic Of Chile“Por la razón o la fuerza”

“By right or might”

Geography and Neighbors

The longest north-south trending country in the world

Slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

38th largest country in the world in terms of area.

Borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the north east

and Argentina to the east

People

Population: about 17.300,000

White and non-indigenous 88.9%

Mapuche 9.1%

Aymara 0.7%

other indigenous groups 1%

Due in part to its economic fortunes, Chile has recently become a new magnet for immigrants, mostly from neighboring Argentina, Bolivia and mainly Peru

Healthcare

Health Expenditures make up 7.5 % of Chile’s GDP

Chileans have a life expectancy of 78 years ( 75 for males, 81 for females)

Chile’s life expectancy is the highest in Latin America and 34th in the world

All workers and pensioners are mandated to pay 7% of income for health insurance

Education

4.5% of the GDP is spent on education

Chile has a 98.6% literacy rate

Primary and secondary schools are mandatory for all Chileans.

Chile as of 2014 is undergoing a significant reform to its publicly funded education system. One of the first proposals sent to Congress include the banning of mandatory copayments, the removal of existing selection processes and the conversion of for-profit schools into non-profit organizations

Political Parties

Independent Democratic Union (20.74% weighted representation)

Christian Democratic Party (16.18% weighted representation)

National Renewal (14.78% weighted representation)

Party for Democracy (14.33% weighted representation)

Socialist Party (1.69 weighted representation)

Executive Branch

Current President is Michelle Bachelet who is a member of the Socialist Party

president elected by popular vote

Under the current Constitution (adopted in the 1980), the President is elected to serve for a period of four years, with immediate re-election being prohibited

Legislative Branch

Bicameral National Congress consists of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies which reward coalition slates.

Senate positions are decided by popular vote to serve for 8 years

Senate consists of 38 seats

Chamber of Deputies are decided by popular vote to serve for 4 years

Chamber of Deputies consists of 120 seats

Judicial Branch

Chile's judiciary is independent and includes a court of appeal, a system of military courts, a constitutional tribunal, and the Supreme Court.

Supreme court judges appointed by the President and ratified by the Senate.

Legal system is civil law based.

Economy

Chile is one of South America's most stable and prosperous nations,leading Latin American nations in human development, competitiveness, income per capita, globalization, economic freedom, and low perception of corruption

GDP $335.4 Billion, 6th highest in South America

GDP per capita: $19,100 73rd in the world

GDP Composition: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 35.4% services: 61%

Unemployment Rate: 6% 62nd in the world

Population Below the Poverty Line: 15.1%

Taxes and Other Revenues: 20.8% 156th in the world

Imports/Exports

Imports 75.7 billion (40th)

Import petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas

Import Partners: US 22.9%, China 18.2%, Argentina 6.6%, Brazil 6.5%

Exports 77.94 billion (46th)

Export copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine

Export Partners: China 23.3%, US 12.3%, Japan 10.7%, South Korea 5.8%, Brazil 5.5%