Chile+Geography

Geography toc



Location:
Chile is located in Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru.

Geographic Coordinates:

 * 30 00 S, 71 00 W

Elevation Extremes:

 * lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0
 * highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880

Natural Resources:
copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower

Size:

 * Area:
 *  -Total: 756,950 sq km
 *  -Land: 748,800 sq km
 *  -Water: 8,150 sq km
 * Area - comparative:
 * <span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> -Slightly smaller than twice the size of the state of Montana, United States
 * <span style="color: #00a4ff; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Land Boundaries:
 * <span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> -Total: 6,171 km
 * <span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> -Border countries: Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km
 * <span style="color: #00a4ff; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Coastline:
 * <span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> -6,435 km

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Terrain:
<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The terrain of Chile consists of rugged Andes Mountains, fertile central valley and low coastal mountains.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Climate:
<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Chile is a country of vast climate extremes. Due to Chile's long slender shape spanning from Peru in the north to Antarctica in the south, one will experience a very different climate depending on what part of the country you visit. As a general rule, the farther north the hotter and drier the climate. As you head south, one will see a cooler and wetter climate. Rainfall is more frequent during the winter months.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Seasons:
<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Chile sits in the southern hemisphere and as such its seasons are generally these:
 * <span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Summer: December - February
 * <span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Fall: March - May
 * <span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Winter: June - August
 * <span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Spring: September - November

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Northern Climate:
<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Chile’s northern most regions are characterized by a dry, arid climate. The world's driest desert, the Atacama, defines the northern most part of the country. Rainfall is so sparse here that some places haven't seen any precipitation in years. As is typical of desert climates, there is little seasonal change during the year and daily high temperatures decline significantly overnight.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Southern Climate:
<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The southern extreme of Chile is prone to frequent rainfall with winter months being the wettest. This humid and damp region leads to a lush green landscape.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Central Valley:
<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The central valley enjoys a Mediterranean climate. Summers are warm and dry with little precipitation. Winters are cooler and deliver frequent rain showers. This very moderate climate encourages the fertile agriculture of this region.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Andes Mountains:
<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The eastern border of Chile is the Andes mountain range. The climate here is a combination of that typical of higher elevations and the overlying general climate discussed previously.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Coast:
<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Coastal regions typically mirror the region of the country in which they are located. That general climate is moderated by oceanic effects.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Antarctica:
<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Chile has territorial claims on parts of Antarctica. This region is characterized by ice and extreme cold temperatures year-round.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Natural Hazards:
<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Chile is, essentially, one giant geological fault. Tremors are an almost everyday occurrence and small earthquakes are also common. Major quakes occur every now and again. In the South there are active volcanoes that occasionally blow. There are usually warning signs and areas are evacuated with time to spare. New buildings are built to high anti-seismic standards and older buildings tend to fare well and have often survived over a century without major problems. None of this has a bearing on everyday life, which goes on like anywhere else in the world. Hurricanes and other extreme weather conditions are unknown in Chile.

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