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Chile

Chile is a very long, thin country that is located in the extreme southwest of South America. It is 300 miles wide and 2,500 miles long. The population of Chile is approximately 13.5 million people. The official language of Chile is Spanish, also known as "Castellano." The country is made up of many different nationalities such as Spanish, English, German, Italian, and Asian making Chile quite the odd country.

The leader of Chile is the Presidente. The provinces are headed by the Indendente, or governor, while the municipalities elect a mayor, or Alcade. Leftist, or liberal parties include the Partido para la Democracia (PPD), the socialists, the Christian Democrats. Right, or conservative parties include the Partido de Renouacion Nacional (PRN), and the union Democrata Independiente (UDI), There is also a never conservative party compromised of those supportive of business and industry called the Partido Union de Centr Centro.

Law enforcement throughout the country is primarily handled by the "Carabineros de Chile." The national police force which operates under the Department of defense. Whether men or women, they are always dressed in green and have a serious military aspect about them. You get the impression that a carabinero is not a person to be taken lightly, and they command a great deal of respect among the people. Carbineros, though, can be approachable, helpful, and not terribly camera shy.

Chile is the first Latin American country to have professional women workers. The road to get here though was much like the U.S., wasn't easily won. Religious road blocks such as colonial concepts of Machismo and Marianismo, Machismo, which sees men as superior, and Marianismo which sees women spiritually superior. Between 1850-60, women were forced from the fields to the factories. Poorly paid for any labor they performed, women were taught only to read, write and sew. But by 1892, with the graduation of Matilde Trup, Chile had its first woman lawyer. Soon women were to obtain other high profession jobs and soon took part in the government.

The "High" class consists of aristocrats, big business, and highly trained professionals which get $6,000 or more a month. 10% of Chile's population consist of this. Next is the "Middle" class which consists of small business, lower professionals, public employees, and teachers. Their income is $600-5000 a month and 60% of Chile's population makes up this class. The "Low' class is made up of Indigenous groups, retirees, students, small farmers, and servants. There income is $75-500 a month and 30% of the population is made up of this class.

The Chilean monetary unit is the peso. The current exchange rate between the Chilean peso and the U.S. dollar is approximately 400 to 1, although it fluctuates on a regular basis, In Chile, many prices for more expensive services are actually quoted in dollars. The reason for this is that the dollar is much more stable benchmark.

The press has long played a great role in Chilean politics and daily life. Two of the most popular newspapers today are La Nacion and El Mercurio. Up until 1990, La Nacion was seen as "the voice of the government", but according to Chileans, today it has become much more objective in its reporting. Another major newspaper, El Mercurio, has the distinction of being the oldest newspaper in South America, with its first paper being published on September 12th, 1827. While in Valpcrasio, the other Fulbright participants. Today, the Mercurio is a modern, thriving newspaper, a source of jobs for many and a major source of news for thousands of daily readers throughout Chile.

The national flag of Chile used today is said to have been conceived by Minister of war, Colnol Jose Igacio Zonteno, and designed by Antonio Arcos, a Spanish military officer. (Although some say that the flag was designed by Gregerio te Andia y Varla). The flag was officially legalized by legal decree on October 18, 1817, during the government of Bernardo O' Higgins, signed by Colonel Zenteno, this decree is known only indirectly because the original has since disappeared.

Education in Chile has the same problems as the U.S. and needs improving. The reason for improving education in Chile seems to be blurred by the need to improve economic production. The problem which such a high interest in economics is that it breeds an attitude of getting the greatest outcome from the smallest investment. Many teachers feel that the government should look beyond the economic benefits of education, and focus more on the historic benefits; that a successful businessman is not the only sign of successful education.

A developing nation, a recovering democracy, and an economic jaguar all rolled into one. Chile has an impact on anyone who visits it. Through the stories, songs, and faces of the people, people learn what it means to have strength in the face of adversity, hope in the midst of poverty, and a new appreciation of the freedoms we so often take for granted.

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