Chile, Bolivia, and Peru [Earthquake, 2005]
June 2005
South America, 1998
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Chile
Chile covers an area of 756,945 sq. km. (302,778 sq. mi.) and is slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana. Located in southern South America, Chile borders the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. This is a strategic location relative to sea lanes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage). Santiago (metropolitan area est. 6 million) is the capital city; other cities include Concepcion-Talcahuano (840,000), Vina del Mar-Valparaiso (800,000), Antofagasta (245,000), and Temuco (230,000).
The varying terrain consists of desert in the north, fertile central valleys, volcanoes and lakes in the south, and mountains in the east. Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions; the northern Chilean desert contains great mineral wealth, principally copper. The relatively small central area dominates the country in terms of population and agricultural resources. This area also is the cultural and political center from which Chile expanded until the late 19th century, when it incorporated its northern and southern regions. Southern Chile is rich in forests and grazing lands and features a string of volcanoes and lakes. The southern coast is a labyrinth of fjords, inlets, canals, twisting peninsulas, and islands. The Andes Mountains are located on the eastern border. Typically, Chile’s climate ranges from arid in north, Mediterranean in the central portion, and cool and damp in south.
About 85% of Chile's population lives in urban areas, with 40% living in greater Santiago. Most have Spanish ancestry. A small, yet influential number of Irish and English immigrants came to Chile during the colonial period. German immigration began in 1848 and lasted for 90 years; the southern provinces of Valdivia, Llanquihue, and Osorno show a strong German influence. Other significant immigrant groups are Italian, Croatian, Basque, and Palestinian. About 800,000 Native Americans, mostly of the Mapuche tribe, reside in the south-central area. The Aymara and Diaguita groups can be found mainly in Chile’s northern desert valleys.
Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took effect on January 1, 2004.
Bolivia
Bolivia is located in central South America, southwest of Brazil. The country covers an area of 1.1 million sq. km. (425,000 sq. mi.) and is about the size of Texas and California combined. Bolivia is landlocked and shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 mi.), with Peru. Bolivia has a mixed terrain of highland plateaus (altiplano), temperate and semitropical valleys, and tropical lowlands of the Amazon Basin. Bolivia’s climate varies with the altitude ranging from humid and tropical to semiarid and cold.
La Paz is the capital city; other major cities include Sucre, Santa Cruz , Cochabamba, and El Alto. La Paz is at the highest elevation of the world's capital cities at 3,600 meters (11,800 ft.) above sea level. The adjacent city of El Alto, at 4,200 meters above sea level, is one of the fastest-growing in the hemisphere. Santa Cruz, the commercial and industrial hub of the eastern lowlands, also is experiencing rapid population and economic growth.
Bolivia's ethnic distribution is estimated to be 56%-70% indigenous people, and 30%-42% European and mixed. The largest of the approximately three-dozen indigenous groups are the Quechua (2.5 million), Aymara (2 million), Chiquitano (180,000), and Guarani (125,000). There are small German, former Yugoslav, Asian, Middle Eastern, and other minorities, many of whose members descend from families that have lived in Bolivia for several generations.
Peru
Peru is the third largest country in South America 1.28 million sq. km. (496,225 sq. mi.), bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and from north to south on the east by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile. Peru is a constitutional republic, declaring its independence July 28, 1821. The principal language is Spanish, while other languages such as Quechua and Aymara also enjoy official status. Most Peruvians are Roman Catholic (90%). Peru's distinct geographical regions are mirrored in a socioeconomic divide between the coast's mestizo-Hispanic culture and the more diverse, traditional Andean cultures of the mountains and highlands.
Peru’s economy is one of the most dynamic in Latin America, showing particularly strong growth over the past three years. During the 1990s, Peru was transformed by market-oriented economic reforms and privatizations, and met many conditions for long-term growth. From 1994 through 1997, the economy recorded robust growth driven by foreign direct investment, but stagnated from 1998 through 2001. Private investment is rising and becoming more broad-based. Abundant mineral resources are found in the mountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds. Peru is a source of both natural gas and petroleum, although the country is a net energy importer.
Earthquake Hazards Program
CIA World Factbook; U.S. Dept. of State Background Notes, 4/2005, 6/2005