Chile
Republic of Chile
People: Chilean
Chile is the world's longest north-south country, stretching over 4,300 km from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia. Chile is located in South America and has a population of around 20.2 million. Its capital city is Santiago, and the most widely spoken official language is Spanish.
By the numbers, Chile is the 64th most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.25% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 37th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 27 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
Chile — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Republic of Chile |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Santiago |
| Continent | South America |
| Region | South America |
| Population | 20,206,953 |
| Area | 756,102 km² |
| Currency | Chilean peso (CLP) $ |
| Official Language | Spanish |
| Dialling Code | +56 |
| Internet TLD | .cl |
| Timezones | UTC-06:00, UTC-04:00 |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 133 (police) / 131 (ambulance) |
| ISO Code | CL / CHL |
| Borders | Argentina, Bolivia, Peru |
Travelling to Chile?
Before you fly, run through a free packing checklist for Chile. Pack a universal travel adapter for your devices. You can also check clothing and shoe sizes in Chile before you shop, and look up popular foods from Chile if you want to know what's on the menu.
Leaving your car at a UK airport? Compare off-airport parking with Airparks before you fly to Chile. Thinking about staying longer? Some travellers fund extended trips by teaching English abroad with a TEFL certificate.
Getting to and around Chile
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Planning a trip to Chile?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Chile
What is the capital and currency of Chile?
The capital of Chile is Santiago and the currency is the Chilean peso (CLP), symbol $.
What is the capital of Chile?
The capital of Chile is Santiago.
What currency does Chile use?
Chile uses the Chilean peso (CLP, symbol: $).
What language do they speak in Chile?
The official language of Chile is Spanish.
What is the dialling code for Chile?
The international dialling code for Chile is +56.
What side of the road does Chile drive on?
Chile drives on the right-hand side of the road.
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