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Chile |
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CHILE
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General Information
| Country (name in full): |
Republic of Chile |
| Capital: |
Santiago |
| Surface Area: |
756,950 sq km |
| Official Languages: |
Spanish |
| Population: |
16,134,219 (July 2006 est.) |
| Exchange Rates: |
Real
Time Converter |
| Real GDP Growth: |
6.3% (2005 est.) |
| GDP per capita: |
purchasing power parity - $11,900 (2005
est.) |
| Head of State: |
President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since
11 March 2006) |
| Head of Government: |
President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since
11 March 2006) |
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Principal Trading Partners
Export
Destinations
US 15.8%, Japan 11.5%, China 11.1%,
Netherlands 5.8%, South Korea 5.5%, Brazil 4.4%, Italy 4.2%,
Mexico 4% (2005)
Import Destinations
Argentina
14.8%, US 14.6%, Brazil 11.7%, China 7.8%, South Korea 4.8%,
Yemen 4.4% (2005)
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Chilean Overview
Geography &
Population
The
population of Chile is over 16 million (with an
annual increase of 0.94 per cent). The capital city is
Santiago, with other
major cities being Valparaiso and Concepcion. Chile consists
of ethnic groups mostly European based (eg.
Spanish, Italian, German, English).
Chile is located on the
southern of South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean
and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru.
Language
The
official language is Spanish.
Government and
Law
The current government in Chile is Republican
with a democratic system.
The legal system is based on Code of 1857 derived from
Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and
Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the
Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction.
Climate
Being in
the southern hemisphere, the seasons in Chile are at the same
time of year as Australia and the temperatures are in a
similar range, although it can get down to 0° in winter.
February is the traditional summer vacation month in Chile.
Austrade Santiago highly recommends that you avoid visiting
Chile during February, as most business people are away from
their offices.
Religion
The
main religions are Roman Catholic (89 per cent) and Protestant
(11 per cent).
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Chilean Calendar
Business travellers to Chile should note that Chile enjoys a wide range
of public holidays due to religious, national and other
festive events.
IBN clients are
recommended to consult with their regional Business Centres to
obtain more specific regional travel advice in relation to
public holidays as they may impact upon visit schedules.
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Exhibitions and Conferences
Chile hosts a range of
international exhibitions and conferences each
year. IBN clients should consult their
regional IBN Business Centre for more detailed
information on each exhibition and conference such as
exhibiting, booking requirements etc.
For a useful link on
exhibition and conference details, please visit the Fair Guide -
www.fairguide.com.
To contact us, click here.
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Travel Information
Comodoro Arturo Merino
Benitez International airport is located about 30 minutes
north of Santiago. During rush hours (7.00am-10.00am,
5.00pm-8.00pm) you should allow for up to one hour in travel
time.
A taxi from the airport to most hotels will cost you
A$35-A$50. When you exit customs you will find a desk where
you can arrange for an official airport taxi, which you will
have to pay for in Chilean pesos. You can purchase pesos
inside the arrival hall near the luggage carousel.
Most major travel agents have agreements with Chilean
or Latin American inbound tourism operators. Your local travel
agent will be able to assist you with airline and hotel
bookings.
The following information is provided to assist travellers
when planning to visit Chile:
IDD: +56
Time:
GMT -8 (-3 Hrs Oct -
Mar)
Voltage:
220V
Cell Phone
System:
Dual Band system (GSM and
CDMA)
Dress:
Business Suit
Taxi Fare to city from airport
(average): Various
Departure
tax: Yes
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Foreign Visa
Requirements
Most visitors do not need a visa for Chile if their stay is
a period of up to 90 days. However, on arrival at the airport
visitors must pay an ‘Administrative Fee’ of US$30 per person
(or pesos equivalent).
As visa requirements vary for visitors from country to
country travellers should consult their respective Chilean
embassies or consulates for specific advice. IBN clients are
able to obtain specific information including supporting
Letters of Invitation for business travel (if required) from
their respective Business Centres.
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Health Considerations
Unless you are arriving from an infected area, vaccination
certificates are not normally required.
Over the counter and prescription medicines are readily
available from chemists.
Tap water is safe to drink, but most people prefer to drink
bottled mineral water either con gas (carbonated) or sin gas
(non-carbonated).
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Local Currency
The local currency is the Peso ($ or CLP), which exists in
banknotes of $500, $1000, $2000, $5.000, $10.000, $20.000 and
coins of $1, $5, $10, $50, $100 and $500. Foreign cash is not
generally in use, except for hotels that may waive the
value-added tax (IVA) if you are a foreigner, when you pay in
US dollars cash or credit card.
The government does not regulate the market of foreign
currency in Chile. You can exchange money at any established
"Casa de Cambio" at market driven exchange rates. They are
common in commercial areas (Downtown and Providencia) as well
as in Shopping Malls.
To use our Real-Time Converter, click
here.
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Useful Links
Business Chile -
www.businesschile.cl
Welcome to Go Chile -
www.gochile.cl/Home/Default.asp
The Santiago
Times -
http://www.chipnews.cl
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Disclaimer
Whilst IBN
Group Pty Ltd (IBN) has taken due care to
obtain and provide the country information detailed on this
site, it cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy of
the same information and data. As this country information and
data has been received from various sources, accepted by IBN
as being reliable, IBN itself makes no representation
concerning its completeness, truth or accuracy or its
suitability for any particular purposes.
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