“CHILE”
A country with a touch of European Culture.
Official Name: The Republic of Chile.
Location: South America.
Total Area: 07,56,950 km²
Total Population: 19 Million.
Capital City: Santiago.
Famous Cities: La Serena, Valparaiso & Concepcion.
Official Language: Spanish.
Religion: Roman Catholic.
HISTORY
Chile, It is a country lying between the Andes Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. This country, located in a narrow strip of land, was formerly under the control of the ‘Inca Tribe’ of Peru. The Capital ‘Santiago’ was founded in 1941 by a Spaniard named ‘Pedro de Valdivia’ And gradually the region became a colony of Spain.
In 1818, Chile gained independence from Spain’s rule, and Bernardo O’Higgins, the leader of the movement, remained in power until 1823. He then founded the Chilean state with the existing bilateral system and the central government.
This was followed in 1891 by ‘Pedro Montt’ establishing a parliamentary dictatorship. In 1970, ‘Salvador Allende’ was elected president, and he further strengthened relations with other communist countries. He was revolted in 1973, and then for 17 years, Augusto Pinochet’s repressive military dictatorship was in place.
Currently a representative democratic governance system exists in Chile.
ECONOMY
According to the World Bank’s classification, Chile’s economy can be placed in the upper middle-class structure. Chile is one of the most stable and prosperous economies in South America, yet the level of economic inequality in the country is high.
Fortunately… Chile has the highest ranking in terms of human development, competitiveness, per capita income, economic freedom and low levels of corruption in the entire South America.
Exports of minerals are a major component of Chile’s economy. In addition, copper is considered the most valuable natural resource in the country. Due to agriculture as well as large grape orchards, the industry of producing different wines has also spread a lot here.
Chile is a farming focused country, and imports large quantities of petroleum, chemicals, electronics and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery and natural gas from other Countries.
CULTURE
Chilean culture has a surprising touch of European culture. Chilean children are already taught a European style of music, dance and schooling education. The architecture is also an important part of Chilean culture.
Dancing is an important part of Chilean culture too. They also have a national dance called ‘Cueca’. In addition, They also have a national anthem called ‘Tonada’. Chile has a leading role in the development of architecture and literature.
The ‘Gabriela Mistral’ and ‘Pablo Neruda’ the two writers have been awarded the Nobel Prize. Most Chileans are Roman Catholics, and the religion has a very important foundation in Chile’s social and political life.
Education of this religion is provided in every school. Unlike most countries in the world, abortion is considered illegal in Chile and Until 2004, divorce was also considered illegal.
Most Chilean national holidays are religious festivals. Family is center of the social life in Chile. The practice of maintaining close and regular relationships with distant families is must in Chile. Therefore, family relationships are also a priority in the business and hence, relativity is considered a positive and desirable thing.
Landowners are the richest in Chile, and about half of its population is middle class.
CUISINE
Chilean land has high-low custom regions, and this variety is also found in their eating patterns and recipes.
Because of the abundance of Mediterranean Sea, the recipes from marine animals are very popular in Chile and, also particularly popular dishes are ‘Chilean Sea bass’ and ‘Salmon fish’. In addition to Spain, the effect of German and Italian cuisine is also found on the Chilean dishes.
CUSTOMS
In Chile, traditions and customs are found in two quite contradictory aspects. The traditions and customs of urban life are very different from those of the countryside. However, because of the high level of religiosity among the people of this country, most of their traditions are related to the celebration of religious festivals.
In Chile, a special law has been implemented to preserve the tradition of the people. Despite the traditions of Spanish and other European countries, the traditions of some of the neighboring South American countries are also found here.
This is Chile. A thin Country with broad heart filled with love for their People, Culture and Religion.
