Full country name: Republic of Chile

Area: 756,950 sq km (292,500 sq mi)

Population: 15 million (growth rate 1.2%)

Capital city: Santiago (pop 5,000,000)

People: 95% European descent and mestizo, 5% Indian

Language: Spanish and a handful of native languages, including Aymara, Mapuche and Rapa Nui.

Religion: 89% Roman Catholic, 10% Protestant, less than 1% Jewish

Government: Republic

President: Ricardo Lagos

Currency: peso (Ch$)

Major industries: Copper, fishmeal, wine

Major trading partners: USA, Japan, Germany, UK