Essential Info for Chile
- Purchase the complete Expat Arrivals Chile Guide (PDF)
Population: About 18 million
Capital city: Santiago
Neighbouring countries: Chile is bordered by Bolivia and Argentina to the east, and Peru to the north.
Geography: Chile's geography is varied and diverse. The country is home to a significant portion of the Andes mountain region as well as the Atacama desert. Chilean territory also includes an extensive coastline and South America's southernmost points.
Political system: Unitary presidential constitutional republic
Major religion: Catholicism
Main language: Spanish
Money: Chile's currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP). ATMs are abundant and expats should be able to use their credit cards in all major urban centres.
Tipping: Standard 10 percent in restaurants, usually less for other services
Time: GMT-4 (GMT-3 from August to May). Easter Island is GMT-6 (GMT-5 from August to May).
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz. Plugs with two or three round pins are used.
Internet domain: .cl
International dialling code: +56
Emergency numbers: 131 (ambulance), 132 (fire), 133 (police)
Transport and Driving: Cars in Chile drive on the right-hand side of the road. Most major urban centres have efficient and reliable transport systems, and there is an extensive network of buses and trains throughout the country.
