Chile

Chile is a country in the Southern Cone of South America, which borders Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru.

History of Chile

Chile was originally inhabited by Native Americans, primarily of the Mapuche tribe.. During the Spanish conquest of South America, racial intermarriage produced the now-dominant "mestizo" ethnicity. Most Chileans are of mixed racial backgrounds.

Chile gained its independence from Spain in 1810 (1ra. JUNTA NACIONAL DE GOBIERNO).

From 1970 to 1973, Chile's leader was Salvador Allende, a democratically-elected communist. In 1973, General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte, gained power in a military coup, during which Allende committed suicide. The coup, and the resulting activities of the new government are alleged to have been assisted and supported by the CIA. However, no proof of this exists. Pinochet instituted free market reforms and opposed communism, but also directed Operation Condor, a reprisal against political opponents during which thousands of Chileans disappeared, have been tortured and killed. Moreover he restricted freedom of press, of expression, etc., by the establishment of a despotic and militarian power.

After Pinochet's ouster in 1990, after he lost a plebecite election on his continuing status as president, Chile has attempted to try him for war crimes committed under his regime, but trails were postponed due to his age. Pinochet died in 2006, due to heart failure.

Chile's current president, Michelle Bachellet, is the first woman president of the country. She is also a member of the Chilean Socialist party.

Chile's culture has largely been influenced by its long, narrow shape and subsequent extensive coastline. Chilean people are widely regarded as among the most physically attractive in the world, likely due to the ubiquity of the beach and exposed skin and the resulting pressure to keep one's self in good health. Chilean cuisine has developed in accord with these pursuits: Low-fat, high-energy foods such as beans, rice, fish, pasta and shellfish pervade the diets of most native Chileans. Chile is the world's fifth largest fish exporter: If you're buying grouper anywhere in the United States, there's a 60% chance that it came from Chile.