Chile, republic, south-western South America, bordered on the north by Peru, on the east by Bolivia and Argentina, and on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean. It has an extreme north-south length of around 4,272 km, but its average width is less than 180 km. Archipelagos extend along the southern Chilean coast from Chiloé Island to Cape Horn, the southernmost point of the South American continent. Among these are the Chonos Archipelago, Wellington Island, and the western portion of Tierra del Fuego. Other islands belonging to Chile include the Juan Fernández Islands, Easter Island, and Sala y Gómez, all of which lie in the South Pacific. The nation has a total area of 756,636 sq km. Chile also claims a section of Antarctica. The capital and largest city is Santiago.

Population
	14,376,000
	(1996 estimate)
Population Density
	19 people/sq km
	(49 people/sq mi)
	(1996 estimate)
Urban/Rural Breakdown
	86% Urban
	14% Rural
Largest Cities
	Santiago 5,076,808
	Concepcion 350,268
	Vina del Mar 322,220
	Valparaíso 282,168
	(1995 estimates)
Ethnic Groups
	92% Mestizo
	8% Other
	including Native Americans and Europeans
Languages
Official Language
	Spanish
Other Languages
	Araucanian, other Native American languages
Religions
	78% Roman Catholicism
	22% Other
	including Protestantism and Judaism