FACTS

Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru

Area (only Total) total: 756,950 sq km

Climate: temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south

Terrain: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east

Population: 16,454,143 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Spanish

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Santiago

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-4

Independence: 18 September 1810 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 18 September (1810)