Background Notes: Chile
PA/PC
Source: Office of Public Communication, Bureau of Public
Affairs
Date: May 15, 19925/15/92
Category: Country Data
Region: South America
Country: Chile
Subject: Travel, History, International Organizations,
Trade/Economics
[TEXT]
Official Name: Republic of Chile
PROFILE
Geography
Area: 756,945 sq. km. (302,778 sq. mi.); nearly twice the size of
California. Cities: Capital--Santiago (metropolitan area est. 5.3
million). Other cities--Vina del Mar-Valparaiso (600,000);
Concepcion-Talcahuano (550,000) Temuco (230,000); Antofagasta
(220,000). Terrain: Desert in north; fertile central valley;
volcanoes and lakes toward the south, giving way to rugged and
complex coastline; Andes Mountains on the eastern border. Climate:
Arid in north, like the Mediterranean in center, cool and damp in
south.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Chilean(s). Population (1991):
13.3 million. Annual growth rate: 1.6%. Ethnic groups: Spanish-
Indian (Mestizo), European, Indian. Religions: Roman Catholic 89%;
Protestant 11% , small Jewish population. Language: Spanish.
Education (1990): Years compulsory--8. Attendance--3 million.
Literacy--96%. Health (1991): Infant mortality rate--18/1,000.
Life expectancy--68 years male, 75 years female. Work force (4.8
million): Industry and commerce--34%. Services (including
government)--30%. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing--19%.
Construction--7%. Mining--2%
Government
Type: Republic. Independence: September 18, 1810. Constitution:
Approved in a 1980 national referendum.
Branches: Executive--president. Legislative--bicameral
legislature. Judicial--Supreme Court, courts of appeal, military
courts.
Administrative subdivisions: 12 numbered regions, plus Santiago
metropolitan region, administered by intendentes; regions are
divided into provinces, administered by governors; and provinces
into municipalities, administered by mayors.
Political parties: Major parties include the Christian Democratic
Party, the National Renewal Party, the Socialist Party, Party for
Democracy, Radical Party, Independent Democratic Union. The
communist party was proscribed by law under the previous military
regime but initiated proceedings to register as a legal party after
the civilian government assumed power in March 1990. It now has
legal status. Suffrage: Universal at 18, including foreigners legally
resident for more than 5 years.
Flag: Upper left blue with a white star; upper right white; lower
half red.
Economy
GDP (1991): $29.2 billion. Annual real growth rate (1991): 5%. Per
capita GDP (1991): $2,200. Inflation rate (1991): 19%.
Natural resources: Copper, timber, fish, iron ore, nitrates, precious
metals, and molybdenum.
Agriculture and fisheries (9% of GDP): Products--wheat, potatoes,
corn, sugar beets, onions, beans, fruits, livestock. Arable land--7%.
Cultivated land--3%.
Industry (21% of GDP): Types--mineral refining, metal
manufacturing, food processing, fish processing, paper and wood
products, finished textiles.
Trade (1990): Exports--$8.3 billion: copper, molybdenum, iron ore,
paper products, fishmeal, fruits, wood products. Major markets--
Japan 18%, US 18%, Japan 18%, Germany 8%, Brazil 5%, UK 4.5%.
Imports--$7 billion: petroleum, sugar, capital goods, vehicles,
electronic equipment, consumer durables, machinery. Major
suppliers--US 20%, Brazil 9%, Japan 8%, Argentina 7%, Germany
6.5%.
Fiscal year: Calendar year.
Exchange rate (1991 average): 350 pesos/US$1.
Economic aid received (grants and loans, 1949-85): $3.5 billion, of
which only small amounts in recent years.
PEOPLE
About 83% of Chile's population live in urban centers; 40% live
in greater Santiago. The largest population group is of Spanish
ancestry, but a small, yet influential, number of Irish and English
immigrants came to Chile during the colonial period. German
immigration began in 1848 and lasted for 90 years; the southern
provinces of Valdivia, Llanquihue, and Osorno have a strong German
imprint. Other significant immigrant groups are Italian, Yugoslav,
French, and Arab. About 400,000 persons of predominantly
aboriginal descent, mostly of the Mapuche tribe, reside in the
south-central area, around Temuco.
Northern Chile is desert and contains great mineral wealth,
primarily copper and nitrates. The relatively small central area
dominates the country in terms of population and agricultural
resources. This is also the historical center from which Chile
expanded until the late 19th century, when it incorporated its
northern and southern extremes. Southern Chile is rich in forests
and grazing lands and has a string of volcanoes and lakes. The
southern extreme of this region is a labyrinth of fjords, inlets,
canals, twisting peninsulas, and islands. It has modest but rapidly
declining petroleum reserves, supplying only 13% of Chile's
domestic requirements during 1991.
HISTORY
Chile's human history apparently began about 10,000 years ago,
when migrating Indians followed the line of the Andes and settled
in fertile valleys and along the coast. The Incas briefly extended
their empire into the north, but the area's remoteness prevented
significant impact. In 1541, the Spanish, under Pedro de Valdivia,
encountered about 1 million Indians from various cultures who
supported themselves principally through slash-and-burn
agriculture and hunting. Although the Spaniards did not find the
gold and silver they sought there, they recognized the agricultural
potential of Chile's central valley, and Chile became part of the
Viceroyalty of Peru.
Chilean colonial society was heavily influenced by the
latifundio system of large landholdings, kinship politics, the Roman
Catholic Church, and an aggressive frontier attitude stemming from
Indian wars.
The drive for independence from Spain was precipitated by
usurpation of the Spanish throne by Napolean's brother Joseph. A
national junta in the name of Ferdinand--heir to the deposed king--
was formed on September 18, 1810. Spanish attempts to reimpose
arbitrary rule during the Reconquista led to a prolonged struggle
under Bernardo O'Higgins, Chile's most renowned patriot. Chilean
independence was formally proclaimed on February 12, 1818.
The political revolution brought little social change, however,
and 19th-century Chilean society preserved the essence of the
stratified colonial social structure. The system of presidential
absolutism eventually predominated, but the wealthy landowners
continued to control Chile.
Toward the end of the 19th century, Chile consolidated its
position in the south by suppressing the Mapuche Indians. In 1881,
it signed a treaty with Argentina confirming Chilean sovereignty
over the Strait of Magellan. As a result of the War of the Pacific
against Peru and Bolivia (1879-83), Chile expanded its territory
northward by almost one-third and acquired valuable nitrate
deposits, the exploitation of which led to an era of national
affluence.
Although Chile established a representative democracy in the
early 20th century, it soon became unstable and degenerated into a
system protecting the interests of the ruling oligarchy. By the
1920s, the newly emergent middle and working classes were
powerful enough to elect a reformist president, but his program
was frustrated by a conservative congress. Continuing political and
economic instability resulted in the quasi-dictatorial rule of Gen.
Carlos Ibanez (1924-32).
When constitutional rule was restored in 1932, a strong
middle-class party, the Radicals, formed. The Radical Party became
the key force in coalition governments for the next 20 years. The
1920s saw the emergence of Marxist groups with strong popular
support. During the period of Radical Party dominance (1932-52),
the state increased its role in the economy. However, presidents
generally were more conservative than the parties supporting them,
and conservative political elements continued to exert considerable
power through their influence over the economy and control of rural
voters.
The 1964 presidential election of Christian Democrat Eduardo
Frei by an absolute majority initiated a period of major reform.
Under the slogan "Revolution in Liberty," the Frei Administration--
the first Christian Democratic government in Latin America--
embarked on far-reaching social and economic programs,
particularly in education, housing, and agrarian reform including
rural unionization of agricultural workers. By 1967, however, Frei
was encountering increasing opposition from leftists, who alleged
his reforms were inadequate, and from conservatives, who found
them excessive. At its term's end, the Frei Administration had
noteworthy accomplishments but had not achieved the party's
ambitious goals.
The 1970 presidential election was won narrowly by Dr.
Salvador Allende, a Marxist and member of Chile's Socialist Party,
who headed the "Popular Unity" (UP) coalition of socialists,
communists, radicals, and dissident Christian Democrats. His
program included the takeover of much of Chile's remaining private
industries and banks, massive land expropriation and
collectivization, and the nationalization of US interests in Chile's
major copper mines.
Elected with only 36% of the vote and by a plurality of only
36,000 votes, Allende never enjoyed majority support in the Chilean
congress or broad popular support for his policies. By 1973, most
domestic production had declined, and severe shortages of consumer
goods, food, and manufactured products were widespread. There
were mass demonstrations against the government, recurring
strikes, violence by both government supporters and opponents, and
widespread rural unrest. Chilean society became polarized into
hostile camps.
These factors, plus public censure of the Allende Government
by the Chilean congress, judiciary, and comptroller general for many
abuses--including violations of the constitution--brought about a
military coup that overthrew Allende on September 11, 1973, after
armed forces bombarded and attacked the presidential palace.
Allende did not survive the coup. His death was reported officially
as a suicide.
The new military regime, led by Augusto Pinochet, severely
repressed perceived opponents, especially those it believed to be
Marxists. The congress was abolished, and all political parties were
banned. Thousands of Chileans were imprisoned or expelled from the
country. About 700 others disappeared after arrest by security
forces and are presumed dead.
During its 16 years in power, the military moved Chile away
from economic statism toward a largely free market economy,
fostering an increase in domestic and foreign private investment.
After years of repression the government slowly reinstitutionalized
political life and permitted broad freedom of assembly, speech, and
association, including trade union activity.
General Pinochet was denied another 8-year term as President
in a national plebiscite on October 5, 1988. On December 14, 1989,
Christian Democrat Patricio Aylwin, running as the candidate of a
17-party coalition, was elected President. In addition, 38 senators
and 120 deputies were elected, and 9 appointed senators were
named in December. The new government and congress took office in
March 1990. General Pinochet remained commander-in-chief of the
army as permitted by the 1980 constitution. President Aylwin
asked the commander-in-chief of the air force and the director
general of the carabineros (police) to remain in their posts. The
president also appoints regional administrators (intendentes),
provincial governors, and mayors. The central government selects
state university rectors.
GOVERNMENT
The constitution was approved in a September 1980 national
plebiscite by a two-thirds majority. It entered into force in March
1981. Following discussions between the minister of interior, the
leader of the coalition parties opposing Pinochet, and the president
of the center-right National Renewal Party, a list of amendments to
the constitution was submitted to a plebiscite and endorsed by
more than 85% of the electorate. Although critics of the 1980
constitution contended the reforms were not sufficiently far-
reaching, they eased provisions for amending the constitution;
increased the number of senators; diminished the role of the
national security council and equalized the number of civilian and
military members; and shortened the presidential period beginning
March 1990 to 4 years, although subsequent presidential terms will
be 8 years.
The bicameral national congress is composed of 47 senators
(38 elected and 9 appointed) and 120 deputies. Senators serve for 8
years, with staggered terms. Deputies are elected for 4 years. The
new congress took office on March 11, 1990. Current law provides
for the location of the congress in the port city of Valparaiso, about
140 kilometers (84 mi.) west of the capital, Santiago.
Chile's congressional elections are governed by a unique
binomial majority system in which political parties or groupings
form pacts and permit slates (two candidates per slate) from which
two senators and two deputies are elected from each district.
The political parties with the largest representation in the
Chilean congress are the center-left Christian Democrat Party
followed by the center-right National Renewal Party. No
communists were elected in either chamber. The center-left
coalition supporting President Aylwin captured about 60% of the
elected seats in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
However, with 9 designated senators, the center-right has a 25-22
advantage in the Senate.
Principal Government Officials
President--Patricio Aylwin Azocar
Foreign Affairs--Enrique Silva Cimma
Ambassador to the United States--Patricio Silva Echenique
Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS)--Heraldo
Munoz Valenzuela
Ambassador to the United Nations--Juan Somavia Altamirano
Chile maintains an embassy in the United States at 1732
Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202-785-
1746).
ECONOMY
Chile has a diversified free market economy and one of the
better educated work forces in Latin America. Industry and
commerce account for 21% of GDP and employ 34% of the work
force. Non-copper exports like fresh fruit, salmon, wood chips, and
footwear continue to expand at double-digit rates. Even though only
2% of the labor force works in mining, Chile remains the world's
largest producer and exporter of copper, with reserves estimated at
20% of the world total. Therefore, international copper prices have
a major effect on overall economic performance.
For most of this century, Chile experimented with various
economic philosophies, but the general trend until 1973 was toward
increasing state intervention and protecting or isolating Chileans
from outside competition. The military government shifted course
by opening and deregulating the economy. Under the democratic
government which took office in 1990, the pursuit of macro-
economic stability within the framework of a market economy has
become a consensus view.
From the late 1920s to the late 1950s, per capita income
stagnated. For a few years in the 1960s, rapid growth was
achieved, in part from high copper prices during the 1964-74 period.
In the early 1970s, the Allende Government undertook a neo-Marxist
experiment with consumption-oriented state socialism.
Government policies created enormous fiscal deficits, explosive
money growth, consumption subsidies, and gross price distortions.
By 1973, real per capita gross domestic product (GDP) and
wages had fallen well below 1970 levels. In addition, agricultural
production had dropped to the levels of the early 1960s, inflation
reached an annual rate above 1,000%, the deficit of the central
government exceeded 20% of the GDP, the black-market exchange
rate had risen to more than 10 times the official rate, and net
international reserves were negative. This situation set the stage
for the coup of September 11, 1973.
In 1975, in the face of a severe international recession,
sharply lower copper prices, the quadrupling of oil prices, and
lingering damage from Allende's policies, Chile turned to free
market policies under the management of the "Chicago Boys" (a
group of young economists trained at the University of Chicago) and
began to open its economy up.
Foreign investment was welcomed, and capital controls were
liberalized. Hundreds of nationalized companies were resold to the
private sector, although the government retained key copper, oil,
steel, and other companies. Most markets were freed from
government controls, and prices were allowed to float. The peso
was devalued, permitting an increase in non-traditional exports.
With few exceptions, tariffs were reduced in stages to a uniform
level of 10%.
Incentives for saving and investment were undertaken. For
example, corporate and personal income taxes were indexed, capital
gains taxation and double taxation of dividends were eliminated,
and a graduated sales tax was replaced by a value-added tax. A
drastic budget-cutting program ended chronic government deficits
and the concomitant inflation and balance-of-payments imbalance.
In 1981, the public social security system was replaced by a
private system of individual retirement accounts.
The reform package was to achieve growth, reduce inflation,
increase productivity, increase foreign investment, and diversify
exports through stimulating production in the mining, forestry,
fishing, and agricultural sectors, which were the traditional
strengths of the Chilean economy.
Under this free market policy, from 1976 to 1981, GDP
increased in real terms by an annual average of more than 7%,
inflation declined dramatically, and significant improvements were
registered in the general health and welfare of the people. By mid-
1981, however, Chile began to suffer the effects of the economic
slowdown of its major trading partners. Prices for Chile's exports,
such as copper, forest products, and fishmeal, declined sharply. The
rise of international interest rates, besides aggravating the
worldwide recession, substantially increased the cost of servicing
Chile's large foreign debt.
In addition, Chile's fixing of the peso/dollar exchange rate--
starting in mid-1979--seriously eroded the competitiveness of
Chilean products. The exchange rate problem, plus mandatory
indexation, caused Chilean exports to be overpriced in the world
market. As a result, during 1981, Chile experienced an exaggerated
increase in imports that was reversed only by a sharp decline in
economic activity beginning in the latter part of the year.
By mid-1982, in the face of a serious decline in domestic
production, a sharp rise in unemployment, increasing bankruptcies,
and financial deterioration, the Chilean Government was compelled
to devalue the peso further. Previously large external capital
inflows dried up. Total GDP fell by 16% during the 1982-83 period.
Special regulatory relief was offered to financial institutions; the
network of social programs to help the most needy was extended;
and a public-works program was established to reduce
unemployment.
The economy began to recover in 1984 and grew at an average
rate of 6% until 1991. This period was characterized by an
ambitious privatization of state-owned enterprises.
In 1988 and 1989, before the plebiscite and the presidential
election, the military government phased out its austerity program
and pursued policies designed to boost economic activity. In 1989,
growth soared to 10%. However, inflation almost doubled, to 21%,
and imports jumped to 30%.
Since March 1990, Chile has become more integrated with the
world economy. Chile rolled over its 1991-94 debt maturities on
commercial terms and successfully placed a $200 million Eurobond
issue with 20 of the world's most prominent banks. The economy
attracted $1.1 billion in direct foreign investment and posted a
trade surplus of $1.3 billion with the dynamic economies of East
Asia. On the internal front, the new government implemented an
adjustment aimed at decelerating the economy. As a result, Chile
registered real GDP growth of 2% in 1990, the lowest rate since
1983. Inflation rose to 27%, the highest rate since 1980. This
result was heavily influenced by the rise in oil prices following
Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
During 1991, the economy regained its vigor without reigniting
inflation. Highlights of the economy's performance include 6% real
GDP growth, a trade balance surplus of $1.6 billion (24% higher than
1990), a current surplus of about 0.3% of GDP, and foreign direct
investment approvals totaling $3.3 billion. Inflation in 1991
declined to 19%. The uniform tariff level was lowered from 15% to
11%, and a free trade agreement was signed with Mexico. In June
1991, the US and Chile signed an agreement to forgive a portion of
Chile's PL 480 ("Food for Peace") debt to the US under the Enterprise
for the Americas Initiative. Chile also signed an environmental
framework agreement tied to the debt reduction to support
environmental projects. The government and virtually all economic
groups in Chile wish to conclude a free trade agreement with the
United States.
Agriculture
Chile's gradual conversion to a free market, export-oriented
economy has permitted the agricultural and forestry sector to
nearly double production since 1980. The agricultural sector is
particularly free market-oriented, with limited government
protection for wheat, sugar beet, and oilseed producers.
Only a tiny fraction of Chilean land is arable, nevertheless,
there are over 300,000 farms; about 50% produce wheat. The
average farm size is 45 hectares. The major agricultural
production areas are located in the central valley, which extends
from 150 miles north of Santiago to Puerto Montt, more than 600
miles south of the capital. The northern production areas normally
require irrigation, and abundant rainfall is available in the south.
Although crop production is much more important in Chile than
livestock production, cattle production for beef and dairy is still
significant. However, the demand for beef substitutes has led to an
explosive growth of the highly integrated poultry and pork
production sectors. The combined consumption of pork and poultry
now exceeds per capita consumption of beef.
Chile is nearly self-sufficient in food production. Imports
meet shortfalls in production where the planted area has been
diverted to produce crops for the export market. Chilean
agricultural exports in 1991 were more than $1.4 billion and are
nearly four times greater than imports. Every year, the agricultural
trade balance weighs more heavily in favor of Chile as high-priced
fresh and processed fruit exports continue to expand at a rapid rate.
The combined value of table grapes and apple exports make up about
40% of yearly agricultural exports. Exports of kiwi fruits and stone
fruits (plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots) will rapidly
increase as trees mature. Fruit varieties like chirimoyas,
tomatoes, sand pears, and berries will also increase the value of
exports. Nevertheless, table grapes and apples continue to be the
principal fruit exports.
The United States is Chile's main agricultural trading partner,
purchasing about half of its agricultural exports and providing about
one-third of its imports.
Minerals and Mining
Mining continues to play a critical role in Chile's economy,
despite considerable diversification. In 1991, minerals made up
49% of Chile's exports, with a value of $4.4 billion. Copper is by far
the most important. In 1991, copper exports totaled $3.6 billion. A
1991 world price decline was offset partially by a 13% increase in
copper production. In addition to copper, Chile is an important
exporter of gold, silver, molybdenum, iron ore, and non-metallic
minerals such as lithium and iodine.
Chile is enjoying a major boom in direct foreign investment in
its mineral sector based upon its strong geological base (20% of
world copper reserves) and the favorable investment regime which
the government has maintained. Major US, Canadian, British, and
Japanese natural resource firms have invested in large, new copper
and gold mines. Several other projects are in advanced stages of
planning. At the same time, CODELCO, the state copper enterprise
and the world's largest copper producer, has plans for major
investment to make up for declining production at its existing
mines. The government is seeking to pass a law to allow CODELCO
to associate with private firms in joint ventures.
Bituminous coal is mined in the Gulf of Arauca region, south of
Concepcion, and in the area around Valdivia. These aging,
underground mines are facing painful retrenchments. The
government has authorized a temporary subsidy to the industry
over the next 3 years. A modern, low-cost, open-pit coal mine
exists north of the Strait of Magellan. Chilean coal faces
competition from coal imported from Colombia and Venezuela.
All of Chile's domestic petroleum production is from the
Strait of Magellan and the island of Tierra del Fuego at the southern
tip of the country. The state-owned petroleum company, ENAP, is
the country's only producer of crude oil and natural gas, although
several foreign petroleum firms have been granted exploration
contracts. Domestic petroleum production provided 13% of domestic
petroleum consumption in 1991.
DEFENSE
The armed forces are subject to civilian control exercised by
the president through the minister of defense. However, each
service is headed by a commander-in-chief.
Army. 55,000 troops under Augusto Pinochet. The army is
organized into six divisions and one separate brigade. There is an
air wing.
Navy. Adm. Jorge Martinez Busch directs the 29,000 person
navy. The Chilean marine corps, with a strength of 5,200, is an
arm of the navy. The Chilean fleet of 11 surface vessels and 4
submarines is based in Valparaiso. The navy operates its own
aircraft.
Air Force. Air General Ramon Vega Hidalgo heads the air force
of 12,000. Air assets are distributed among four air brigades
headquartered in Iquique, Santiago, Puerto Montt, and Punta Arenas.
The Air Force also operates an airbase on King George Island,
Antarctica.
After the military coup in September 1973, the Chilean
national police were incorporated into the defense ministry. With
return to democratic government, the police were recently placed
under the operational control of the interior ministry. They are led
by General Strange, who directs a paramilitary force of 27,000
engaged in law enforcement, traffic management, narcotics
suppression, border control, and counter-terrorist. They maintain
operational units throughout Chile.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
The Chilean Government maintains diplomatic relations with
more than 70 countries. When the military regime came to power in
1973, the communist countries, except for China and Romania, broke
diplomatic relations. Mexico also severed relations with Chile.
Relations with Argentina were strained by the boundary
dispute at the southern tip of the continent until 1985, when a
peaceful settlement was reached with Papal mediation. The loss of
territory by Peru and Bolivia to Chile during the War of the Pacific
(1879-83) continues to influence some of its neighbors' national
attitudes and policies. Bolivia seeks an outlet to the sea and
severed relations with Chile in 1978, following a breakdown in
negotiations. By treaty, any Bolivian-Chilean agreement involving
former Peruvian territory also would require Peru's agreement.
US-CHILEAN RELATIONS
The 1976 car bomb assassination in Washington, DC, of Orlando
Letelier, a former Chilean Ambassador to the United States and a
member of President Allende's cabinet, and Ronni Moffitt, a US
citizen, caused a sharp deterioration in relations and led the US
Congress to ban security assistance and arms sales to Chile.
In 1981, Congress enacted the Kennedy amendment sanctions,
banning all military sales to Chile until the President determined
that Chile had made significant human rights progress, was not
aiding international terrorism, and had taken appropriate steps to
cooperate in bringing to justice those indicted by a US grand jury in
connection with the assassination. Responding to the Aylwin
Administration's stated commitment to respond to the case,
President Bush issued such a finding in late 1990, thus removing a
significant barrier in bilateral relations. The United States has
continued to press for justice in the Letelier/Moffitt case. A
Chilean judicial inquiry, headed by a special investigating judge,
continues. Meanwhile, under the terms of the 1914 Bryan-Suarez
treaty, the US and Chile agreed to submit the case to an
international commission to determine the size of an ex gratia
payment by the Government of Chile to the US Government for
distribution to the Letelier and Moffitt families. In January 1992,
after months of consideration, the commission set the amount at
just over $2.6 million.
With the return to democracy and progress on the
Letelier/Moffitt case, US-Chilean relations have improved and are
generally satisfactory. One example of improving relations is that
after a 9-year absence, the Peace Corps returned to Chile, with an
initial workforce of 28 volunteers.
Principal US Officials
Ambassador--Curtis W. Kamman
Deputy Chief of Mission--David N. Greenlee
Public Affairs Officer (USIS)--James T. Dandridge, II
Political Counselor--Alejandro D. Wolff
Economic Counselor--Richard W. Behrend
Administrative Counselor--F. Coleman Parrott
Chief, Consular Section--Laurence M. Kerr
Commercial Attache--Ricardo Villalobos
Defense Attache--Capt. Thomas H. Smith, USN
Agricultural Attache--Robert H. Curtis
Labor Attache--Joseph G. McLean
AID Representative--Paul W. Fritz
The US Embassy in Santiago is located at Agustinas 1343 (tel.
671-0133). The consulate is at Merced 230 (tel. 671-0133). The
mailing address for both is Casilla 27-D, Santiago, Chile. Address
for US mail is APO AA 34033. Telex No. 240062 USA CI. FAX No.
(562) 699-1141.
TRAVEL NOTES
Customs: A valid passport and a tourist card (issued by the
carrier) are required for entry. Requirements for entry and exit by
car are numerous, and obtaining necessary documents can be time-
consuming.
Health: Conditions are generally good in Santiago, except for
prevalent smog. Allergic conditions, especially those respiratory
related, will worsen in the city, particularly during the winter
season. Tapwater is potable, except for occasional winter floods. Do
not eat unwashed fruits and vegetables. Although no immunizations
are required for travel to Chile, typhoid, gamma globulin, and
current tetanus diphtheria toxoid vaccines are recommended.
Telecommunications: The telephone system in Santiago and
elsewhere is excellent.
Time Zone: Chile is 1 hour ahead of eastern standard time.
Further Information
Available from the Superintendent of Documents, US
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402:
American University: Area Handbook for Chile.
For more information on economic trends and other
information on commercial opportunities, trade regulations, and
tariff rates, contact the International Trade Administration, US
Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230 or any Commerce
Department district office. (###)