Chile

Chile is a long, narrow country on the western edge of South America, stretching along the Pacific Ocean between the Andes Mountains and the coast. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia and Argentina to the east, while the Pacific Ocean lies to the west. Its capital and largest city is Santiago, located in a valley near the Andes.

Chile's unusual north-south shape creates a remarkable range of landscapes and climates, from the extremely dry Atacama Desert in the north to the Mediterranean landscapes of central Chile and the cold, rainy regions of Patagonia in the south. The Andes form the country's eastern boundary and include Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano on Earth.

Chile is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, so earthquakes and volcanic activity are common because the Nazca Plate is moving beneath the South American Plate along much of its coast. In the north, the Atacama is one of the driest non-polar places on Earth, while central Chile has a climate that supports agriculture, including vineyards and fruit farming.

Farther south, forests, fjords, glaciers, islands, and mountains shape the landscape of Patagonia. Chile also administers Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, located far out in the Pacific Ocean and known for its monumental moai statues. Copper is one of the country's most important natural resources and a major part of its economy. Spanish is the main language, alongside Indigenous languages spoken by some communities.