Chilean, sometimes spelled as Chile, Cili, or Cile,

Chilean, sometimes spelled as Chile, Cili, or Cile, is a sovereign state in the Americas, located in the southeastern part of South America. The country's official name is the Republic of Chile (Spanish: República de Chile), with the capital and administrative center in the city of Santiago. 

Chile are usually grouped into three zona.Zona first called continental Chile, or the mainland of Chile, in the form of a narrow lane on the west coast of the Southern Cone, which is mostly stretching from the southeast coast of the Pacific Ocean to the Andes, between 17º29'57 "latitude and 56º32 ' LS, along km.Lebar 4,270 maximum reach 445 km in 52º21 'LS until the Strait of Magellan, a minimum width of 90 km at 31º37' LS between Punta Amolanas and Paso de la Casa de Piedra, and the average width is 175 km.Chili bordering on land with Peru to the north, Bolivia and Argentina to the east, all along the 6,339 km, [8] and on the south by the Drake Passage. together Ecuador, Chile is a country in South America that do not border land with Brazil. the second zone is called the Chilean insular ( Chilean archipelago), in the form of a set of volcanic islands in the southern Pacific Ocean, the Juan Fernández Islands and Desventuradas islands that are part of South America, as well as Isla Salas y Gómez and Easter Island which is geographically located in Polynesia. The third zone is the Chilean Antarctic Territory, [9] which is a zone covering an area of ??1,250,257.6 km² in Antarctica, between 53 ° W and 90 ° W is claimed to Chile as part of its sovereign territory, borders in the south to the South Pole. This claim is suspended in accordance with the Antarctic Treaty System, [10] in which Chile is one of the participants, whereas this treaty ketidakturutsertaan system will require Chili release their claim. Because of its location in the Americas, Oceania, and Antarctica; Chile declared itself as a 'country of three continents'.

In addition, Chile also holds the exclusive rights, claims in varying degrees and sovereignty over the maritime area, called the Chilean sea. [13] The area of ??maritime consists of four parts: the territorial sea (120 827 km²), contiguous zones (131 669 km² ), the exclusive economic zone (3,681,989 km²), and the corresponding continental shelf (145 194 km²), [14] which is also a part of the territory Chili.Chili has a coastline of 6435 km, while its Pacific coastline is along the 78 563 , 2 kilometers.

The climate in Chile is varied, ranging from desert climates of the driest in the world (Atacama Desert) to the north, past the Mediterranean climate in the center, until the climate was rainy in the south. [18] According to its land area, Chile categorized great country rank 38th in world, which amount approximately equal to the island of Borneo. Desert in northern contains abundant mineral wealth, principally copper is. The central region is relatively narrow in this country dominates in terms of population and agricultural resources, and is a center of culture and politics that became the basis of the expansion of Chile in the late 19th century, when he absorbed the northern and southern regions. Southern Chile is rich in forests and meadows, and there are several volcanoes and lakes. Southern coast is a labyrinth of fjords, alcoves, channels, winding peninsula and archipelago systems.

Before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under the Inca Empire, while the Mapuche indigenous people inhabiting parts of central and southern Chile. Chile declared its independence from Spain on February 12, 1818. During the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won the northern territories. Mapuche tribe are fully subject to the prior decade an.Meskipun 1880 is relatively free from arbitrary government power struggles and disrupting South America, Chile suffered 17 years of military dictatorship (1973-1990) under Augusto Pinochet, who became the cause for death or disappearance of 3,000 human ,

Today, Chile has one of the most prosperous and stable in the United Selatandan recognized as a middle power in the region itu.Chili nations lead Latin America in terms of peace, competitiveness, economic freedom, and the perception of corruption rendah.Dengan total population exceeding 17 million people, Chile is one of the countries with the quality of life, economic development, human development index, per capita income, and the index globalisasitertinggi in Latin America. Chile also regionally ranked high in terms of press freedom and democratic development. However, Chile has a high economic inequality, as seen in the measurement of coefficient Gini.Pada In May 2010, Chile became the first country in South America to join in OECD.Chili is a founding member of the United Nations and the Union of South American Nations.

Before the arrival of Europeans to the Americas, natives have used to refer to the mainland in the south of the Atacama Desert as Chile. Once used by Colonial Spanish in Peru, the Spanish conquerors continued to use this title, sometimes as the "Valley of Chile", which then extended to the entire country is in the present. 

Although no one knows toponymy "Chili" by all means, there are several hypotheses about it. The historian Agustín de Zárate and Jerónimo de Vivar said that the name comes from the phrase Quechua, chire (chiri), which means "cold", or tchili which means "snow". According to the chronicler, Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas and Vicente Carvallo y Goyeneche, the word is derived from Chille, the ancient name a river in the Aconcagua Valley. in line with Herrera and Carvallo, an anthropologist, Ricardo E. Latcham, believes the word was belonging to a group of Indians who came from a region in which there is a river called chili, the word was brought to Chile by the tribe Inka. According to Diego de Rosales, the chronicler of the 17th century, the word was introduced by the Inca of Peru who call the valley of Aconcagua as "Chili", ie, the deformed shape of the name of chieftain ( " cacique ") Picunche called Tili, who controlled the area when the conquest by the Sapa Inca in the 15th century, before the arrival of the Spanish. According to the Jesuits Miguel de Olivares and Juan Ignacio Molina the origin of the word chili comes from the onomatopoeic language Mapuche imitating birdsong trile (Agelasticus thilius), cheele-cheele, this word is used to refer to birds bernoktah yellow on the wings.historian named Miguel Luis Amunategui of Urugay say that the word comes from the Aymara language, chilli, which means "land's end" or "place berujungnya all the land." 

Other theories emphasize the similarity of the valley of Aconcagua Valley of Casma in Peru, which is in the area once contained a small town and valley named Chili. Other theories say Chile got its name from an Indian word America, which means "end of the world "or" gulls; "[51] or" the deepest point of the Earth. the Spanish conquistadors heard this name from the Inka, and the few survivors of the group Spanish explorers first to the south under the command of Diego de Almagro from Peru years 1535-1536 persons calling them as "men of Chilli." Almagro menguniversalkan rewarded for their efforts to use the name of Chile, after naming the Mapocho River valley with such a name. 

Under the authority of the Director General of Chile, Ramón Freire, a decree officially declared the use of the name "Chili" to the country on July 30, 1824.

Before the arrival of the Spanish 

Mapuche tribe are native to the southern and central Chile.

Some studies have suggested that the archaeological remains of mainland Chile at Monte Verde, in the Region Los Galos derived from approximately 14800 BCE, or in the late Paleolithic Final, making the human settlement of the first known in the Americas . in turn, other studies have concluded that a mine iron oxide in the Taltal, Antofagasta region, is a mine of the oldest in the continent. this period also produced a culture Chinchorro, which is flourishing in the far north state this, roughly in the year 5000 to 1700 BC, this culture produces engineering pemulasaraan first artificial mummies in the world. 

Chilean population before the arrival of Spaniards rose from only a few thousand at the time of Paleo-Indian, or roughly the 7th millennium BC, to as much as 1.2 million in the 16th century AD At the time, the country is inhabited by diverse aboriginal cultures are located along the longitudinal tape, even across the Andes and Argentine territories, until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean. Since the 11th century in the north of the country, the Aymara, the Atacama and other diaguita pioneering agricultural cultivation are greatly affected by the Inca Empire from the late 15th century, they dominated the northern part of modern Chilean territory up to the River Mahulele. North and central coastal area was inhabited by Chango. In the south of the river there is a wide range of semi-nomadic communities of the Mapuche, the largest indigenous ethnic groups in the country. In the south of the canal there are groups of different original, such as the People Aonikenk, Caucahue, Chono / Chinorro, Kawesqar, Selknam, and yaghan people. Easter Island developing a high and mysterious Polynesian culture that is now almost extinct.

Approximately 10,000 years ago, Native Americans emigrated and then settled in fertile valleys and coastal areas now called Chile. Sample sites of the earliest settlements is Monte Verde, Cueva del Milodón Natural Monument, and Pali Aike Crater lava tube. People Inka could expand their empire to the north of Chile, but the Mapuche (or the Spanish people refer to it as people Araukan) managed to prevent any attempt Imperium Inka to absorb it, although the Mapuche do not have a state organization was good. They fought against Topa Inca Yupanqui (ie Sapa Inca, 10) and his army. The results of three days of bloody confrontation, otherwise known as the Battle Mahulele, was that the Inca conquest of the Chilean territory culminate in Sungai Mahulele.

In 1520, while trying to circumnavigate the globe, Ferdinand Magellan discovered a strait in the south which is now named after him, the Strait of Magellan. The person next European reach Chile is Diego de Almagro and his entourage, the conquerors of Spain, who set off from Peru in search of gold in 1535. In 1535, the conquerors of Spain tried to seize the land "Valley of Chile" after conquering the Inca Empire. The first expedition, led by Diego de Almagro failed. Pedro de Valdivia was again trying to conquer the land south of the continent, across the Atacama Desert. The Spanish encounter diverse cultures that support them, especially the method of slash-and-burn agriculture and hunting. The conquest of Chile began in 1540 and carried out by Pedro de Valdivia, one of the subordinate lieutenant of Francisco Pizarro, who founded the city of Santiago on February 12, 1541. Although the Spanish did not find gold and silver reserves they are looking, they are recognizing the potential of agriculture in the valley central Chile, and Chile became part of the Spanish Empire. 

The conquest of the area is done step by step, and the Europeans suffered repeated setbacks at the hands of the locals. A massive Mapuche insurrection led by Lautaro in 1553 led to the death of Valdivia and the destruction of an important settlement colony. Other major revolts occurred in 1598 and 1655. Each time the Mapuche and other native groups revolted, the southern border of the colony on always shifted to the north. Military conflict lasted more than three centuries, but in rounds of peace is different through the realization of the "parliament", when Quilín in 1641 established the border between the colonial government and Indian tribes along the Bío Bío River, this area is known today as La Frontera. The abolition of slavery by the Spanish crown in 1683 on the basis of the awareness that the act of enslaving the Mapuche People would strengthen their resistance, and does not facilitate them to surrender. Nevertheless, the banning by the royalty still leaves a variety of disorders of the colonists. 

Bounded on the north by the desert, to the south by the Mapuche, on the east by the Andes Mountains, and to the west by the ocean, Chile became one of the most homogeneous colony centered in Spanish America. Because of its position far removed from the centers of imperial highways and trade routes, and also conflict with the Mapuche, Chile became the province of the poor possessed rich Viceroyalty of Peru, whose economy only serves to support the needs of raw materials-such as skin, fat, and gandum- Viceroyalty and a little territorial Chilean Spanish. Acting as a leading garrison ranks, the colony became an antidote to encroachment by the Mapuche people and the enemies of Spain from Europe, particularly Britain and the Netherlands. The pirates and adventurers British colony threatens the Mapuche besides of course, as demonstrated by the invasion led by Francis Drake in 1578 in Valparaíso, the main port of the colony. Chile hosted one of the largest army in the Americas, making it one of the areas most termiliterkan Spanish colony, is also one of Peru's largest cash outlay point. 

The first general census held in the reign of Agustín de Jauregui between 1777 and 1778; The census reported that the Chilean population numbered 259 646 inhabitants: 73.5% of European descent; 7.9% mestizo; 8.6% Indian; and 9.8% dark skin. Francisco Hurtado, the Governor of Chiloé, conducts a census in 1784 and found 26 703 inhabitants; which is 64.4% of whom were bright and the remaining 33.5% were black.

Diocese of Concepción conducts a census in the south of the Mahulele in 1812, but does not include a native or resident of Chiloé province. The population is estimated as many as 210 567; with 86.1% of Spain or other European descent, 10% Indians, and the remaining 3.7% is mestizo, black and mulatto Zambo.

Independence 

The seizure of power the Spanish throne by Napoleon Bonaparte's brother, Joseph Bonaparte namely in 1808 accelerate the control of the colony to independence from Spain. A national junta in the name of Fernando VII of Spain - heir to the deposed king - was formed on September 18, 1810 marked the beginning of the period known as Patria Vieja. Government Military junta proclaimed Chile Chile as an autonomous republic within the Spanish monarchy (in memory of this event, Chile celebrate Fiestas Patrias (Chile's National Day) on September 18 of each year). After these events, a movement towards full independence, under the command of José Miguel Carrera (one of the famous patriot) and two brothers, Juan José and Luis Carrera, soon gained widespread support. Spain's efforts to impose back any power in a period called the Reconquista (or Conquest Back) has triggered a protracted struggle, including the resistance of Bernardo O'Higgins, who opposed the leadership of Carrera. In 1814 there was the Battle of Rancagua, where the royal victorious soldiers reconquer the territory.

Pacific War: Battle of Iquique on May 21, 1879

Battle of alternating continue until 1817. With Carrera imprisonment in Argentina, O'Higgins and anti-Carrera José de San Martín, hero of the War of Independence of Argentina, who lead the Army crossing the Andes into Chile and defeated in a battle royal pesetia Chacabuco on 12 February 1817. the next year, or the date of February 12, 1818, Chile was proclaimed as an independent republic. However, the political uprising has brought little social change, and Chilean society in the 19th century preserve the essence of colonial social structure is tiered, highly influenced by family politics and the Roman Catholic Church. Actually, a presidential risen, but the wealthy landlords still too strong. 

O'Higgins commence a period of reform that led to the dissatisfaction many oligarchs, which led to abdicate in Chile in 1823. In the same year, on the demands of the Constitution, slavery was officially abolished in Chile, the first country in Latin America to do so. Seven years later, a number of processes to independence passed. After several attempts failed and the victory won by the Conservatives in the Revolution of 1829, there began a period of stability in a form of a state called the Republic Conservative Chilean, who respect its biggest lead to a minister named Diego Portales, who laid the foundations of the state in the 19th century , the 1833 Chilean Constitution.

Chile slowly began to develop its influence to define the border. Under the Treaty Tantauco, Chiloé Islands became part of Chilean territory since 1826. Chilean economy began experiencing an explosion after the discovery of silver ore in Chañarcillo and trade grows from the port of Valparaiso, which helped trigger the maritime sovereignty disputes in the Pacific with Peru. The formation of the Confederation Peru-Bolivia has been seen as a threat to the stability of this country and the statement of commencement of the Confederate War was announced, the war ended with the triumph of Chile in the Battle of Yungay in 1839 and the dissolution of the Confederation. Along with these events, efforts have been made to strengthen its sovereignty in the south of Chile, by intensifying the penetration and occupation Araucanía Region Llanquihue by German immigrants. Through the construction of Fuerte Bulnes, Region Magallanes y la Antartica incorporated into Chile in 1843, while Antofagasta Region which at that time belonged to Bolivia began occupied.

After 30 years of conservative rule, in 1861, began the Liber Republic of Chile by the Liberal Party of Chile that are characterized by economic prosperity based mining copper and nitric acid in the Region of Antofagasta, which triggered a border dispute with Bolivia, which claim that the territory was theirs. In 1865, Chile fought against Spain, which recognized the independence of Chile on April 24, 1844. On March 31, 1866, the Spanish fleet under the command of Admiral Casto Méndez Núñez, bombed the city of Valparaiso for three hours. The conflict officially ended in 1883 with the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two countries.

Although Chile and Bolivia signed border treaties in 1866 and 1874, they failed to resolve their dispute, and on February 14, 1879, Chile landed its troops in the port of Antofagasta, launch military action against Bolivia. Peru has signed pacts defensive alliance with Bolivia, so that Chile declared war on both of these two countries on 5 April in the same year, the official date of commencement of the War in the Pacific, which ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ancon with Peru and Pact Tregua with Bolivia on 1884. After this war, the Chilean get the right control of the Department of Coastal (former territory of Bolivia) and the province of Tarapaca province, province of Arica and Tacna Province (former territory of Peru), which is written later is valid until 1929, and Chile also seeks to resolve most big affair border with Argentina in Patagonia and the area around the Puna de Atacama. Chile also received the final results Arauco War, also called "Pacification Araucania" in 1881, and make the Easter Island as another new region in 1888. 

Towards the end of the 19th century, the government in Santiago strengthen its position in the south by pressing the Mapuche during the Occupation of Araucanía. An agreement stating that Argentina recognizes the Chilean sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan was approved in 1881. As a result of the Pacific War with Peru and Bolivia (1879-1883), Chile expand its territory to the north, resulting in the disappearance of a third of the old Bolivian access to the Pacific Ocean, and obtain valuable nitrate reserves, exploitation guided Chile to the era of national prosperity.

In 1891, the conflict between President José Manuel Balmaceda and the Chilean National Congress triggered Civil War where the Congress won and implement a system of parliamentary republic. The Civil War will also be a show of force between the parties requiring the local industrial development and the interests of the powerful Chilean banking, particularly the House of Edwards who had close ties with foreign investors. Despite the economic boom, this period was marked by political instability and the beginning of the proletarian movement called "social issues". This occurs because of the "wealth distribution" uneven, where it can not be maintained over time.

The 20th century 

José Manuel Balmaceda, Chilean President-11.

Partially Chilean economy suffered a setback towards a system that protects the interests of the ruling oligarchy. In the 1920s, the workers, Marxist groups with the support of the people's broad middle class experienced a resurgence. They achieved a sufficient condition to elect a president from among reformists, Arturo Alessandri, whose program is hampered by a conservative congress. Alessandri be a temporary bridge between the elite and the "rabble dear," as he called the small community, which is getting restless. However, the crisis deepened, Alessandri had to stop and was followed by the enactment of the Constitution of Chile twice in 1925, which became the basis for the Presidency of the Republic.

A military coup led by General Luis Altamirano in 1924 has began a period of great political instability that continued until 1932. Of the 10 governments of the period, the most enduring was General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo, who held power briefly in 1925 but then ruled again between 1927 and 1931, the actual style dictatorship, even in the event of violence or corruption is not proportional to the force of a military dictatorship that often troubling other parts of Latin America. in less than three years , gross domestic product fell to less than half and Chile was considered by the League of nations as the country most affected the global crisis. Ibáñez resigned in 1931 and deepen political instability following a military coup that led to the Socialist Republic of Chile, which lasted two twelve days before Alessandri continuing power and economy rebounded, he was not able to ease the tension between the political parties. The political crisis and rampant socialism era, new social figures demanded a change of state according to how they think each. By releasing power to a democratically elected successor, Ibáñez del Campo earn the respect of most of the population is large enough to remain a viable politician for more than 30 years, although its ideology vague and capricious.

When constitutional rule was restored in 1932, a party of the middle class is strong enough, the Radical Party, to stand. The party became a key force in coalition governments for over 20 years. In the period of Radical Party dominance (1932-1952), the country strengthen its role in the economic field. In this scenario, Pedro Aguirre Cerda was elected president in 1938 under an alliance against the traditional elite governments of Chile, ushering in a period of radical government. Its mandate managed to make some changes, especially in the economic field, Chile to promote industrialization, after the earthquake of Chillán in 1939, the deadliest in the history of Chile,  the reconstruction of the southern region through the creation of CORFO. In addition, the government paid more attention social issues and began to claim the Chilean Antarctic territory. 

Juan Antonio Ríos, his replacement, had to face opposition and pressure from the United States in World War II to declare war against the Axis, the group of countries with which Chile established diplomatic relations in 1943. Later, Chile declared war on Japan ] and is one of the 50 founding countries of the United nations (UN) in 1945.

Once supported by the communist party, the radical Gabriel González Videla was elected president in 1946.  However, before the Cold War, bloc of Western countries want the ban on communism through the "Law of Permanent Defense of Democracy". 

Political tensions

President Salvador Allende.

In 1958, elected Jorge Alessandri with sound 31.6%; widely approved by Congress.  Governments have to face the chaos generated by the Valdivia earthquake in 1960, the highest ever recorded in the history of humanity, This does not hamper the continuity of the FIFA World Cup 1962. In this period, the beginning of the agrarian reform 

and established a policy system «three thirds», which consists of a right-wing, Christian Democrats, and the left wing.

Fearing for glory Unidad Popular, Eduardo Frei Montalva who supported the Christian Democrat Party (right wing) was elected president in 1964 with an absolute majority began a period of major reform. With the slogan "Freedom Revolution", Frei administration embarked on a program of economic and social programs, particularly education, housing, and agrarian reform, including the integration of rural agricultural workers. Frei government also and nationalization of Chilean copper mining company However, in 1967 Frei more prominent face opposition from leftists, who charged that the reforms that it did not suffice; and from conservatives who consider outrageous. At the end of his term, Frei has not fully achieved his party's ambitious goals. 

In the general election in 1970, Senator Salvador Allende of the Socialist Party of Chile (part of a coalition of "Unidad Popular" (Unity of the People), which includes Communists, Radicals, the Social-Democrats, the Christian Democrats do not agree, Movement Action Unity of the People, and the People's Action Merdeka ), a majority of the plurality-majority vote in the three-way contest, followed by the candidate Radomiro Tomic for the Christian Democrat Party and Jorge Alessandri for the Conservative Party. Allende was not elected with an absolute majority, because it earns less than 35% of the vote.  The elections have become a war between groups of people, which is triggered by the central government. Despite pressure from the Government of the United States Richard Nixon, 

the Chilean National Congress running a run-off ballot between the leading candidates, Allende and former president Jorge Alessandri and tradition survives, Allende gaining votes against his rival 153 35. Frei refused forming an alliance with Alessandri to oppose Allende, on the pretext that the Christian Democrats are the party of workers and will not meet conspired with right-wing. 

An economic depression that began in 1972 was exacerbated by capital flight, collapse of private investment, and withdrawal of bank deposits in response to Allende socialist program. Production declines and unemployment increases. Allende implementing measures of price freezes, raising wages, and tax reform, to boost consumer spending and reorganize the distribution of income to benefit the lower classes. projects are public works mix of public and private membantuk reduce unemployment. Many sectors nationalized banks. Many in the industry of copper, coal, iron, nitrate, and steel were confiscated, nationalized in July 1971, or be subject to state intervention. Industrial products rising sharply and the unemployment rate shrank in the first year of the Allende government. 

Program Allende involves the promotion of the interests of the workers, replaced the justice system with the "validity socialist", the nationalization of banks and forcing others to the bankruptcy, and strengthen the "people's militia" called MIR. ] commenced under the rule of former President Frei, also called the People's Unity framework to nationalize the copper mines in Chile main form of constitutional amendments. This measure was approved unanimously by Congress. As a result, administration of Richard Nixon set and infiltrating covert operations in Chile, to immediately disrupt the Allende government. In addition, the financial pressure Americans restrict lending international economy to Chile. Economic problems are also exacerbated by public spending Allende funded primarily by printing money and low interest rates on loans granted by commercial banks. simultaneously, opposition media, politicians, trade unions and other organizations to help accelerate the campaign messing up the economy and domestic politics , some of which was assisted by the United States. in early 1973, the economic crisis and hyperinflation, which reached 600% to 800%. economic increasingly melumpuh compounded by a strike in a prolonged and sometimes simultaneously by doctors, teachers, students, truck owners, copper workers, and the small businessmen. On May 26, 1973, the Supreme Court of Chile, which opposed the Allende government, unanimously denounced the Allende as vandals validity of the nation. Although illegal under the Chilean constitution, court support and strengthen the seizure of power by Pinochet. 

In the end, a military coup overthrew Allende on September 11, 1973. When the armed forces bombed the presidential palace, Allende apparently preferring suicide. A military junta, led by General Augusto Pinochet, took over state control. The first years of this regime marked by human rights violations that left more than 1,000 missing, 3,000 were killed, more than 35,000 tortured,  and approximately 200,000 wasted. In October 1973, at least 72 people were killed by Kafilah Death. According to reports Rettig and report Valech, at least 2,115 people were killed, and at least 27 265 tortured (including 88 children aged under 12 year). in 1978, Chile and Argentina are faced with the conflict of the Beagle, to master the islands Picton, Lennox and Nueva, which in a matter of hours has sparked a war between the two countries, and these events are mediated by Pope John Paul II.

A new constitution approved by a referendum controversial on September 11, 1980, this referendum is questioned by some international organizations. General Pinochet became president of the republic for 8 years. After Pinochet gained power over the country, several hundred revolutionaries Chile determined to joining the army of the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, guerrilla forces in Argentina, or camp training in Cuba, Eastern Europe, and Africa North.

In 1952, voters managed to restore Ibáñez del Campo to office for another six years.  However, he then had to stop after a series of stylized liberal policies to revive the economy just does not like people. Jorge Alessandri replace Ibáñez del Campo in 1958, and returns the Chilean conservatism to power democratically to the next service period.

Return to democracy 

Chilean president during a transition (from left to right): Ricardo Lagos, Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, Michelle Bachelet, and Patricio Aylwin Azocar.

In the late 1980s, largely as a result of events such as the collapse of the economy in 1982 and mass civil resistance in 1983-1988, the government gradually to allow freedom of assembly, speech, and join, to involve trade unions and political activities. the government launched market-oriented reforms with Hernán Buchi as Minister of Finance, but poverty still enlarged. Pinochet led the reconstruction of the country compiled by the Chicago Boys, who introduced the neoliberal model to boost economic growth, create what called "Miracle of Chile", in which the government handed over a lot of economic interests to private parties. Chile is moving towards free market economy which witnessed a rise in private investment in domestic and foreign, although the copper industry and other important mineral resources are not released into the competition.

In the same period, Pinochet should commence the process of return Chile to democracy, which culminated in a referendum on 5 October 1988, with a sound victory "No" by 56%. General Pinochet was denied to reassume 8 years of presidency second. Augusto Pinochet quit the presidency on March 11, 1990.

Chilean people elect a new president and a majority of the bicameral congress on December 14, 1989. Members Christian Democrat, Patricio Aylwin, the candidate of a coalition of 17 political parties calling themselves the Coalition of Parties for Democracy or the Concertación, received an absolute majority (55%).  President Aylwin worked from 1990 to 1994, this period is a time of transition, characterized by laying back the principles of democracy, pioneering new national policy, the maintenance of the economic structure of the previous period, poverty reduction and the recognition of victims of human rights violations in period of military rule, as written by the Rettig Report. 

In December 1993, members of the Christian Democrats, Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, the son of former president Eduardo Frei Montalva, led the coalition Concertación to achieve victory by an absolute majority (58%). Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle began entering term of office of the presidency in 1994. His rule was characterized by economic spending starters, this is a result of the opening of the Chilean market to the whole world; even so, at the end of his term, a new crisis to hit the country. At the same time, Pinochet was arrested in London, which lasted for 17 months, reignited the political disputes between the supporters and opponents.

The 21st century 

See also: Chile Earthquake 2010 and 2010 Copiapó mining accident

Five people Chilean president since 1990.

Frei Ruiz-Tagle in 2000 was replaced by socialis, Ricardo Lagos, who won the presidency in a system of two rounds of unprecedented against Joaquín Lavin from right-wing group, the Alliance for Chile.  Although there are various problems encountered , which is about the economy and corruption, the government of Lagos is able to stabilize and achieve a significant position in front of the international community, including the signing of a free trade area with the European Union, United States and a major economic power in Asia.

In January 2006, the people of Chile chose female president first, Michelle Bachelet Jeria, of the Socialist Party, defeating Sebastián Piñera, of the Party of Renewal National, an extension of governments of the Concertación for the next four years. In January 2010, the Chilean people choose Sebastián Piñera, of the National Renewal Party, as president of the right wing's first in 20 years, defeating the former president, Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle of the Concertación coalition, for four years replacing Bachelet.

On February 27, 2010, Chile was rocked by an earthquake measuring 8.8 MW, one of the largest ever recorded in the world. A total of 500 lives were lost; hundreds of thousands of buildings damaged. The earthquake was also followed by a series of aftershocks. initial damage assessment is 15-30 billion dollars the United States, approximately 10% to 15% of nominal gross domestic product of Chile. On March 11, 2010, an earthquake earth measuring 6.9 magnitude occurred in the south-west of Pichilemu, O'Higgins Region. This earthquake was felt in most regions of Chile. 

On August 5, 2010 a tunnel collapsed copper and gold mining complex of San José. 33 miners trapped 700 meters underground. The miners were successfully evacuated alive on August; it took nearly two months before the evacuation can be made to rescue the miners. In the span of 24 hours between 12 and October 13, more than 1 billion people worldwide watched the two-month peak of rescue directly through the television networks. The survival of the San José mine workers exceeded the 25-day rescue of three coal miners from a flooded mine in Guizhou, China, in 2009.

Politics 

Republic of Chile is a democratic unitary state with a presidential system, consisting of various autonomous institutions as foreseen by the constitution of certain functions and competencies are well distributed among the organs of state, which is not the same as the traditional doctrine of separation of powers. Current Chilean constitution is approved through a national referendum on September 11, 1980, under the military government of Augusto Pinochet. This constitution ie the Constitution 10th constitution in the history of Chile, has become a fundamental document states since March 11, 1981. After Pinochet's defeat in the 1988 referendum, the constitution is amended to simplify the provisions of the amendment in the future. Since 1989, the constitution has been amended 14 times. In September 2005, President Ricardo Lagos to enact some amendments passed by Congress. These amendments remove the position of senator designated and lifetime senator, giving the President the authority to eliminate the supreme commander of the armed forces, and reducing the presidential tenure from six years to four years. 

Sebastián Piñera, the Chilean president today.

Executive agency, or rather the government and public administration, headed by President of the Republic is the head of state and head of government. Chilean people to vote in the first round of presidential elections on 13 December 2009. None of the four presidential candidates won 50% of the vote. As a result, the two candidates who speak the most, Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle of the center-left coalition (Concert Party for Democracy) and Sebastián Piñera of the coalition of the center-right Coalition for Change, a fight in the second round on January 17, 2010, and was won by Sebastián Piñera. This is Chile's fifth presidential election after the end of the Pinochet era. Five of them assessed as free and fair. Since March 2010, this office is held by Sebastián Piñera. According to the constitution, the president worked for four years in a single term of office, and after that can not hold back. [134] The President of the Republic appointed the Ministry of Chile, who are partners directly and immediately in the government and state administration. Ministers is the official exclusive trust.

Palacio de La Moneda in Santiago City.

Domestic governance in each region are in the hands of the quartermaster, was designed by the president and vice president, original and directly from each region. Organization regional administration is responsible to the Regional Government, which was formed by the respective quartermaster, and a Regional Council is elected indirectly. In turn, the provincial government is in the hands of the governor, which is appointed by the president. Then, the local administrative institutions is the responsibility of the municipality, which consists of the mayor and council-manager government elected by the people.

Legislative power vested in the President of the Republic and the National Congress National Congress, based in the port city of Valparaíso, is approximately 140 kilometers west of the capital, Santiago. National Congress of Chile in character bicameral, consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives. The Senate consists of 38 senators are elected by popular vote for a term of eight years, with the possibility of reelection in their respective electoral districts. Every four years, half the members of the senate senator updated by a substitute. Current Senate has a 20-18 faction which supports the opposition coalition. House of Representatives consists of 120 members elected by popular vote, with the term of office 4 years and can also be re-elected in each district elections, each district choose two candidates for deputies in each election, which updates the entire member parliaments. The latest congressional elections held on December 13, 2009, simultaneously with the presidential election. Current Legislative Assembly consists of 58 members of the center-right coalition of the ruling, 54 of the center-left opposition and 8 from small parties or independents.

Palace of Justice in Santiago

Chile's congressional elections organized by the binomial system that produces two major political blocks - Concert Parties for Democracy or the Concertación and the Alliance for Chile or Alianza]] - at the expense of exception of political groups that are not the majority. Therefore, there are only two Senate seats and two council seats are distributed to each electoral district, parties are forced to form coalitions broad and, historically, the two largest coalition (Concertación and Alianza) break down the majority of seats in a district. Leading coalition is entitled to retain both seats, only if they are able to beat the second coalition by a margin of more than 2-to-1. The parties opposing the system mandated by the 1980 Constitution is constantly demanding change. In the congressional elections of 2001, the conservative Independent Democratic Union surpassed the Christian Democrats for the first time, and became the largest party in parliament. In the 2005 parliamentary election, the two leading parties, the Christian Democratic Party and the Independent Democratic Union lost their representatives for their respective allies, the Socialist Party (which became the largest party in the coalition Concertación) and National Renewal in the right-wing alliance. In the most recent legislative elections in Chile, the Communist Party won 3 out of 120 seats in the House of Representatives for the first time in 30 years (the Communist Party banned from standing during the dictatorship).

The judiciary, the court with jurisdiction embodied in an autonomous and independent, with the Supreme Court as the highest judicial institution. Attorney General assigned exclusively to the direct criminal investigation, and also runs a public prosecution. In June 2005, Chile completed the improvement of the criminal justice system throughout the country. [136] The reform has replaced the inquisitorial system to an adversarial system more similar to the United States. The Constitutional Court has the constitutional control of the draft legislation and auto acordado, decrees, and laws. Comptroller General role in controlling the legitimacy of the activities of public administration, also oversees income / revenues and the investment of public funds. The Supreme Election and 13 regional electoral court serves to monitor the regularity of the electoral process and compliance with applicable regulations. Other judicial institutions are the courts of appeal and the military justice system.

Party, elections, and the coalition 

Throughout the history of this country there is a wide range of political parties, which was banned by the military regime in October 1973. In March 1987, [139] can be re-established political parties to be able to follow the National Referendum of 1988, to make the system as used today. Binomial system has caused most of the formation of political coalitions:

The results of the general elections and the presidential representative council (dotted lines) in Chile in 1989 to 2008, including elections at the municipality level.

Coalition for Change (Coalición por el Cambio), the right-wing coalition formed by Updates National (renovación Nacional) and the Alliance of the Democratic Independent (Unión Democrata Independiente), originally set up to face the Referendum National 1988 and the No option, although since then it has undergone several times to change the name. After becoming the main opposition political force for 20 years, the presidential candidate Sebastián Piñera obtained 51.6% of the vote in the second round of presidential elections from 2009 to 2010. In the municipality elections (2008), this coalition obtained 36.05% of the vote for parliament and 144 for mayors elected, while the coalition's parliamentary elections get 43.44% of the vote for parliament in 2009. Since March 2010, in Congress there are 58 board members and 17 senators from the coalition. 

Concert Parties for Democracy (Concertación de Partidos por la Democracia) is a coalition of left-wing parties, abbreviated Concertación, initiated in 1987 to face a referendum in 1988 that support the No option. Then, the Concertación victory in the next presidential election, and survive in power in the period 1990 to 2010. Although initially consisting of 17 parties, is now officially consists of the Christian Democratic Party, the Party for Democracy, the Socialist Party of Chile, and the Radical Social Democratic Party , In the elections in the municipality (2008), won 45.13% of the vote for board members and 147 elected mayor, while in the parliamentary elections (2009) won 41.60% of the vote. Now, the Concertación in Congress put the 54 board members and 19 senators. 

Juntos PODEMOS Más is a coalition formed by the end of 2003 which brings together communities of different leftist who did not join the Concertación and have no representation in parliament, the Chilean Communist Party, the Party Humanist of Chile, the Party Ecological Chile, and the Left Party Christian Chile, which had recently ratified. After several years do not have a representative in the parliament, as a result of the system of binomial, the coalition has agreed to compete with the Concertación in the parliamentary elections of 2009, although the Party Humanist and Party Ecological declares his resignation from the coalition , In the elections in the municipalities in 2008 the coalition won 9.12% of the vote in the council and seven elected mayor, while in the parliamentary elections in 2009 won 2.70% of the vote. Though smaller than in previous years, an agreement with the Concertación, allows her to choose three representatives communists for the first time in 20 years. 

Independent regionalist party is a party of the middle inclined regionalist / regionalism. In the 2008 municipal elections this coalition won 3.19% in councils and two mayors elected, while the parliamentary elections in 2009 won 4.01% of the vote. Now, to have two representatives on the board. 

Other smaller parties, the Progressive Party of Chile -with one representative in the legislature -, Broad Social Movement-with one senator in the Senate -, and ChilePrimero, Humanist Party of Chile and the Chilean Ecological Party, without representation in parliament , Two members of parliament and two senators come from independent parties. 

In Chile, for the purpose of voting, namely universal suffrage and compulsory voting, a person must be 18 years old. Registration at Servicio Electoral de Chile (a kind of general election commission) is voluntary; Unhindered, once finished, ketidakterdaftaran is not allowed.

Since 1949, women have equal voting rights with men; Women Chile has the right to vote in the municipality elections since 1935 and a presidential election since 1952. 

Defense 

The responsibility of the state defense shouldered by the Armed Forces of Chile: Army (1810), navy (1818), and the Air Force (1930), which is responsible for maintaining the territorial integrity and securing the country from acts counterproductive from outsiders. Chilean Armed Forces are subject to civilian control is run by the president through the Minister of Defence. Only in a state of war, the President of the Republic of Chile serves as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. 

Supreme commander of the Chilean Army is Gen. Juan Miguel Fuente-Alba Poblete. Chilean Army personnel are as many as 45,000 people and was organized by the Army headquarters in Santiago, seven divisions throughout its territory, an Air Brigade in Rancagua, and a Special Air Command in Colina. Chilean Army is one of the army's most professional and technologically advanced in Latin America. 

The Chilean Navy frigate Almirante Blanco Encalada (FF-15) in Pearl Harbor during RIMPAC exercises.

Admiral Edmundo Gonzalez Robles commanded the 21 773 members of the Chilean Navy, including 2,500 Marines. Of the 29 surface ships owned, only 8 in the form of major combat units are operational (frigate). The boats were based in Valparaíso. Navy operate its aircraft himself to the affairs of transport and patrol; Navy has no fighter or bomber. The Navy also operates four submarines based in Talcahuano. 

Gen. Ricardo Ortega Perrier heads the 12,500 Chilean Air Force personnel. Air assets deployed to five air brigades headquartered in Iquique, Antofagasta, Santiago, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas. The Air Force also operates an airbase on King George Island, Antarctica. Air Force received the last shipment, which is 2 of 10 F-16, all purchased from the United States, in March 2007, after decades of debate and facing rejection penjulan efforts in the United States. Chile also accept submissions in 2007 a number of F-16 Block 15 results reconditioning of the Netherlands, the total carry 18 F-16 purchased from the Netherlands. 

Chile's National Police, Carabineros

There is one unit of regular army, the Forces Command and Public Safety, which is a combination of Carabineros (1927)  and the Police Investigations (1933),  which is the power of the people and is responsible for enforcing the law, ensure the implementation of legislation, and civil defense in the country. In addition, there are also Gendarmería (1929),  in charge of maintaining prisons and other places where individuals deprived of freedom under the law. Police investigations are under the Interior Ministry, which is in charge of guaranteeing public security; and Gendarmería under the Ministry of Justice.

Ship Esmeralda, one of the emblems of the Chilean Navy.

After a military coup in September 1973, the Chilean National Police (Carabineros) were incorporated into the Ministry of Defence. With the return of democratic government, the police is placed under the operational control of the Interior Ministry but still under the nominal control of the Defense Ministry. General Gustavo González Jure is the head of the national police with personnel as many as 40 964 people  responsible for seeking enforcement, maintenance of traffic, drug abuse and illicit drugs, border control, and counter-terrorism throughout Chile.

Although since the War of the Pacific (1879-1883) this country is no longer confronted with any party, Chile is one of the countries in the world with a sizeable military budget; ie 2.7% of its GDP, in 2006.  According to Chilean Law No. 13196 of 1958,  this budget funded 10 percent of Codelco which represents income from copper exports. The amount of the budget quota for the military caused by the shape of the state special geography and budget planning system ever made uniform, which also includes the Carabineros, who spent more than 54% of the budget.

After many years, was appointed to the elimination of conscription. Now the man 18 years of age can register voluntarily. If the vacancy is not filled, the remaining quota divided between non-volunteers. 

In the reign of the military, the armed forces have a high position above the interests of civilian life. However, the former army chief, Juan Emilio Cheyre, take steps necessary to ensure the professionalization process, ignoring policies army as non-deliberative body. Democratic civilian rule was enforced. One of these measures is the recognition of institutional responsibility of the army against human rights violations that occurred during the period 1973 to 1990. 

Foreign relations 

Since the first decade of independence, Chile has always lead to active involvement in foreign relations. In 1837, the country is aggressively challenging the dominance Peruvian port, Callao, prominence on the trade routes of the Pacific, beating brief alliance between Peru and Bolivia, Peru-Bolivian Confederation (1836-39) in the Battle of the Confederacy. The war put an end to the confederation while distributing power in the Pacific. The second international war, the Pacific War (1879-83), further improve Chile's role in the region, while adding the coverage area. 

In the 19th century, the main trading partner of Chile which is the United Kingdom, a country that gave a decisive influence on the organization of the navy. French influence legal and educational system of Chile and strong impact for Chile, through the architecture of the capital in the years to the explosion of the 20th century. German influence came from the organization and training of the army by the Prussians. 

On June 26, 1945, Chile participated as a founding member of the United Nations among the 50 countries that signed the United Nations Charter in San Francisco, California. Chile became a temporary member the Security Council four times: in the period 1952 to 1953, 1961 to 1962, 1996-1997, and 2003-2004.  After a military coup in 1973, Chile became isolated politically, as a result of the widespread violations of human rights. 

Upon returning to the beginning of democracy in 1990, Chile has been an active participant in the international political arena. Jose Miguel Insulza, a Chilean citizen, was elected General Secretary of the Organization of American States in May 2005 and was reelected in 2009. Chile now occupies an important role in the Governorate Council of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the chairman of the board is on in 2007-2008 was the Chilean ambassador to the IAEA, Milenko E. Skoknic. This country is an active member of the UN family of agencies and participates in the activities of UN peacekeeping. Chile volunteered to occupy the chair of the Board of Human Rights of the UN. Chile hosted the Defense Ministerial Forum of the Americas in 2002 and the APEC summit and related meetings in 2004. Chile has also hosted the ministerial forum of the Community of Democratic State in April 2005 and the Ibero-American Summit in November 2007. As Mercosur members and permanent members of APEC, Chile is becoming a key player in international economic issues and free trade. 

Support the UN peace missions, Chile plays well in a wide variety of military corps in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH), Cambodia (UNTAC), Cyprus (UNFICYP), El Salvador (ONUSAL), Haiti (MINUSTAH), India-Pakistan (UNMOGIP), (UNIPOM); Iraq-Kuwait (UNIKOM), Kosovo (UNMIK), Lebanon (UNOGIL), Middle East ( UNTSO), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) and East Timor (UNTAET along with UNMISET). 

The Chilean government established diplomatic relations with most countries in the world, except for 22 countries: Benin, Burundi, Chad, Comoros, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Niger, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Cape Verde, Togo, and Djibouti in Africa; Bolivia in America; Bhutan, Iraq, Tajikistan, and Yemen in Asia; San Marino in Europe; and the Solomon Islands in Oceania. Chile settle the territorial dispute with Argentina in the 1990s. Chile and Bolivia have dropped out of diplomatic relations in 1978 because Bolivia wants the return of territories that shifted ownership to Chile after the Pacific War in 1879-1883. Both countries maintain consular relations and are represented at the level of the Consul General.