BY: TIM LUCZAK

Chile

The Basics of Chile

Chile is a long, narrow coastal strip in South America between the Andes Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west

The capital is SantiagoOfficial language is SpanishNational motto, “By reason or by force”The government is unitary presidential republicThe current president is Sebastian Pinera

The Flag

The Lone StarAdopted on October 18, 1817The Star represents a guide to progress and honorThe blue represents the sky and the Pacific oceanThe white represents the snow-covered Andes MountainsThe red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence

Independence

In the beginning, before the 16th century Chile was under Inca rule while the indigenous Mapuche inhabited central and southern Chile

Then the Spanish came and wiped out the Inca and began ruling Chile

Chile declared independence on February 12, 1818

Historical Significance

The significance of Chile is that it is the most stable and prosperous country of South America

Chile leads Latin American nations in1. human development 5. globalization

2. competitiveness 6. economic freedom3. quality of life 7. low perception of corruption 4. political stability 8. comparatively low poverty rates

• Chile was the first South American country to join The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Chile’s Fiestas Patrias

This fiesta takes place on September 18 but celebrated days in advance and days after

September 19 is known as the “Day of the Glories of the Chilean Army”

This holiday is celebrated for the independence from Spain

Celebrated with parades, festivities, food, music, and beverages

Centro Cultural Palacio

This is a fairly new addition to Chile at the capital, Santiago

Its purpose is to showcase the fascinating heritage of Chile

It is also intended to place the Chilean capital in the international cultural circuit

The Patagonia

This site is at the southern most part of Chile

It is a place of stunning sites of glaciers that will be gone in 40-50 years due to the effect of global temperatures

Due to how south it is, the Patagonia is shared by Chile and Argentina

Jose Miguel Carrera Verdugo

A Chilean GeneralConsidered one of the

founders of independent Chile

Verdugo is the most important leader of the Chilean War of Independence

Veronica Michelle Bachelet Jeria

• Bachelet was the 1st Chilean female president

• She was the 34th president and of the socialist party

• In 2009, Bachelet was ranked 22nd of 100 most powerful woman in the world

The Islands of Chile

Being on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, Chile owns many islands

Easter Island with a Polynesian culture

Robinson Crusoe Island is a remote island with green hills and great diving sites

Chiloe Island is a rural community with a distinct culture, sea kayaking, and wildlife

Tierra del Fuego is the largest island and is split between Chile and Argentina

Citations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile8/2/10

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_BacheletJeria

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http://images.search.yahoo.com/images8/11/10