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South America, bordering South Pacific Ocean.
Figures unless otherwise stated are from the CIA Factbook.
Factbook: "Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Exports account for 40% of GDP, with commodities making up some three-quarters of total exports. Copper alone provides one-third of government revenue."
Estimated per capita GDP:
2008 $14,900 (ranks first among Latin American countries)
2007 $14,500
2006 $14,000
GDP annual growth rate L
2008: 4%
2007: 5.2%
2006: 4.3%
Unemployment estimated for 2008: 7.5%
Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP: 2.7 (2006)
Deaths: 5.77. Births: 14.82, down from 15.44 in 2005
Estimated for July 2008: 16.454 million, up from 16.0 million in 2005. Growth rate for 2008: 0.905 percent per year.
For 2008: infant deaths before the age of one per 1,000 live births: 7.9, down from 8.8 in 2005.
Average life expectancy at birth estimated for 2008: 77.15, up from 76.58 in 2005.
Living with HIV/AIDS, ages 15 to 49: 0.3 percent (2003)
On March 12, Michelle Bachelet was inaugurated president. She belongs to the center-left coalition that has been in power since the end of military rule in 1990. The transfer of power from Ricardo Lago was with hugs and cheering for Lagos. Her rule appears to be a triumph over the hatred that reigned during the military rule, which left over 3,000 Chileans dead, including her father, an airforce general had opposed the military coup. Michelle Bachelet was one of those tortured during the dictatorship. Bachelet has been a successful advocate of reconciliation among Chileans. She spoke of a Chile united, with respect for Chile's military institutions, for businessmen, with equal opportunity and concern for the well-being of all. Nobody, she said, would be "left dangling" in indifference.
SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
Copyright © 2008 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.