Geography of Chile – The Ultimate Free Guide 2021
Learn facts and Geography of Chile including Major Geographical Features, Natural resources, Region, area, Capital, Border countries, rivers in Chile.
- Geography of Chile is extremely diverse as the country extends from a latitude of 17° South to Cape Horn at 56° and from the ocean on the west to Andes on the east. Chile is situated in southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean and a small part of the South Atlantic Ocean.
- Chile’s territorial shape is among the world’s most unusual. From north to south,Chile extends 4,270 km (2,653 mi), and yet it only averages 177 km (110 mi) east to west. Chile reaches from the middle of South America’s west coast straight down to the southern tip of the continent, where it curves slightly eastward.
- Chile’s northern neighbors are Peru and Bolivia, and its border with Argentina to the east, at 5,150 km (3,200 mi), is the world’s third-longest.
Geography of Chile

Region:
- Arica and Parinacota
- Tarapacá
- Antofagasta
- Atacama
- Coquimbo
- Valparaíso
- Metropolitan
- O’Higgins
- Maule
- Ñuble
- Biobío
- Araucanía
- Los Ríos
- Los Lagos
- Aysén
- Magallanes
Area:
Ranked 38th
Capital:
Santiago
Population:
1.09 Crore
Bordering Countries:
- Peru,
- Bolivia,
- Argentina, and
- Pacific Ocean
Total Size:
756,102 km2
Geographical Coordinates:
30 00 S, 71 00 W
World Region or Continent:
South America
General Terrain:
low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east
Geographical Low Point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
Geographical High Point:
Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m
Climate:
- Climate of Chile comprises a wide range of weather conditions across a large geographic scale, extending across 38 degrees in latitude, making generalizations difficult.
- Chile within its borders hosts at least seven major climatic sub types, ranging from low desert in the north, to alpine tundra and glaciers in the east and southeast, tropical rain forest in Easter Island, Oceanic in the south and Mediterranean climate in central Chile.
- There are four seasons in most of the country:
- Summer (December to February),
- Autumn (March to May),
- Winter (June to August), and
- Spring (September to November).
Major cities:
- Santiago
- Puente Alto
- Antofagasta
- Vina del Mar
- Valparaiso
- Talcahuano
- San Bernardo
- Temuco
- Iquique
- Concepcion
- Rancagua
- La Pintana
- Talca
- Arica
- Coquimbo
- Puerto Montt
- La Serena
- Chillan
- Calama
- Osorno
- Valdivia
- Quilpue
- Copiapo
- Los Angeles
- Punta Arenas
- Lo Prado
- Curico
- Villa Alemana
- Coronel
- San Antonio
- Chiguayante
- Ovalle
- Linares
- Quillota
- Penaflor
- Melipilla
- San Felipe
- Los Andes
- Buin
- Talagante
Major Land forms:
- The major land forms of Chile are arranged as three parallel north–south units: the Andes mountains to the east; the intermediate depression, or longitudinal valley, in the center; and the coastal ranges to the west.
Major Rivers and Lakes:
Major Rivers:
- Loa River
- Baker River
- Bío-Bío River
- Maule River
- Bueno River
- Maipo River
- Pascua River
- Rapel River1
- Imperial River
- Limarí River
- Aysén River
- Copiapó River
- Itata River
- Valdivia River2
Major Lakes:
- General Carrera
- Llanquihue
- O’Higgins
- Ranco
- Presidente Ríos
- Greve
- Rupanco
- del Toro
- Todos los Santos
- Villarrica
Natural Hazards:
- Severe earthquakes;
- Active volcanism;
- Tsunamis
Natural Resources:
- Copper,
- Timber,
- Iron ore,
- Nitrates,
- Precious metals,
- Molybdenum,
- Hydropower
Major Geographical Features:
Biomes & Ecosystems:
- Mediterranean forests,
- woodlands, and
- scrub
Topography:
Chile is divided into three general topographic regions:
- The lofty Andean cordillera on the east,
- The low coastal mountains of the west,and
- The fertile central valley between.
Oceans:
South Pacific Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean.
Islands:
- Chiloé Island
- Robinson Crusoe Island
- Alejandro Selkirk Island
- Santa Clara Island
- Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego
- San Ambrosio Island
Mountain Ranges:
- Ojos del Salado
- Fitz Roy
- Tupungato
- Llullaillaco
- Incahuasi
- Mount Tarn
Facts about Chile:
- It is is a World Class Wine Destination, and the Ninth Largest Producer of Wine.
- Easter Island
- It Has One of the Longest Coastlines in the World
- It is Home to Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
See Also:
References:
- Wikipedia.com (Geography of Chile)
- Worldfacts.us (Geography of Chile)
- countrystudies.us(Geography of Chile)
- Quasarex(Geography of Chile)