Chile: The Longest Country in the World
Countries around the globe exhibit a variety of shapes, including elongated rectangles, circles, squares, compact forms, scattered configurations, and irregular shapes. Among these, Chile stands out as the longest country in the world due to its elongated rectangular form, extending six times its width.
Overview of Chile
Officially known as the Republic of Chile, its capital is Santiago. The country covers an area of approximately 756,950 square kilometers. Chile operates under a republican system of governance, with its national motto being “By Right or By Force.” The official currency is the Chilean Peso, denoted by the symbol CLP. Chile achieved independence from Spain in 1810 and gained international recognition in 1844.
Geography
Geographically, Chile is located on the western edge of South America. It is bordered to the north by Peru, to the east by Argentina, and to the northeast by Bolivia, while the Pacific Ocean lies to its west.
Chile’s diverse topography includes mountain ranges such as the Andes and the AgustÃn Codazzi Mountains, narrow coastal areas along the Pacific, various rivers including short ones like the Loa River, small islands such as Isla de Pascua, the arid Atacama Desert in the north, and dense forests.
Administrative Division
Chile is administratively divided into fifteen regions, each headed by a regional director. These regions are further subdivided into fifty-four provinces, each managed by a governor, with provinces containing various municipalities.
Demographics
As of 2011, the population of the Republic of Chile was approximately 17.27 million, equating to roughly twenty-two individuals per square kilometer. The official language is Spanish. The population is engaged in agriculture, with key crops including corn, barley, wheat, beets, and rice, along with fishing and livestock husbandry. Additionally, Chile is rich in minerals such as copper, nitrates, iron, manganese, silver, and oil. The industrial sector is also significant, particularly in food production, sugar manufacturing, and iron smelting.
Political System
The legal framework of Chile was established in 1857 and is influenced by Spanish parliamentary monarchy law. The government is structured around an elected president serving a four-year term, supported by a cabinet comprising twenty ministers. The legislative authority lies with a bicameral National Congress, which includes the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. The judiciary is comprised of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, courts of appeals, and district courts. Political parties such as the Chilean party, the National Renewal party, the Coalition of Parties for Democracy, and the Socialist party are active, alongside political interest groups like the United Workers Center and the Catholic Church.