Chile38.15° S, 72.32° W
Mean elevation of 1,871 m — the 9th highest of 168 countries.
mean elevation 1,871 m · 9th/168
CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · ranks computed across the countries in this atlas that carry the value
geometry: Natural Earth 1:50m · EPSG:6933 equal-area
Each line is every country in this atlas that carries the value, ordered smallest to largest. The line down the middle is the world median; the mark on each line is this country.
The origin of Chile's name is unclear. It may come from a local word meaning either "land's end" or "cold," or from a local word confused with the Mexican Spanish word "chili," meaning a chili pepper, in reference to the area's shape.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Southern South America borders the South Pacific Ocean between Argentina and Peru. Its terrain runs from low coastal mountains through a fertile central valley to the rugged Andes in the east. Natural resources include copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, and hydropower.
Chile lies along the Ring of Fire, a belt bordering the Pacific Ocean that contains volcanoes and earthquakes. In the north, the Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world. Ojos del Salado in the Atacama Desert is the highest active volcano in the world and Chile's tallest mountain. Its small crater lake is the world's highest lake.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Regional conditions include desert in the north, Mediterranean conditions in the central region, and cool, damp conditions in the south, within a temperate climate.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
A presidential republic governs Chile. Its legal system is a civil law system influenced by several Western European civil legal systems; the Constitutional Tribunal reviews legislative acts. The latest constitution was adopted 11 September 1980, took effect 11 March 1981, and remains in force. Independence from Spain dates to 18 September 1810. The national holiday is Independence Day, 18 September (1810).
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red form the flag, with a blue square in the top left corner, the same height as the white band. The square has a five-pointed white star in its center, representing a guide to progress and honor; blue stands for the sky, white for the Andes Mountains, and red for the blood spilled to achieve independence. The national symbols are the huemul (mountain deer) and Andean condor.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
CIA World Factbook
Values from the CIA World Factbook archive. Each carries the year it describes; open a year for the exact source field.
Natural Earth outlines · features with a Wikidata ID
Population · Natural Earth