Ms. Soles Social Studies Lesson 21 South America: Chile

Where in the world is Chile?

Lesson Topics 1)Geography 2)Chile’s Past 3)The Government 4)Resources and Products 5)The People 6)The Cities

Physical Features of Chile The Strait of Magellan This is a narrow passage that Magellan discovered.

Magellan was searching for a way around or through the Americas. He was the first European to navigate the strait in It is dangerous to sail through it, however, even more dangerous further south around Cape horn. There are stormy waters in that area in which many ships have been lost.

The Strait of Magellan ---at dawn. ----at sunset.

Chile is divided into 15 regions, each headed by an intendant appointed by the president. The regions are further divided into provinces, with provincial governors also appointed by the president.intendant

Chile’s Administrative Divisions

Another Geographic Feature Chile is the longest narrow country. The Andes Mountains run the whole length of it, almost like a huge spine. It only averages 100 miles wide, however, it is 2,650 miles, (4,265 km) long!

On a map, it looks like a long ribbon reaching from the middle of South America's west coast straight down to the southern tip of the continent, where it curves slightly eastward. Cape Horn, the southernmost point in the Americas. Cape Horn

Satellite View of Chile

The northern two-thirds of Chile lie on top of the telluric Nazca Plate, which, moving eastward about ten centimeters a year, is forcing its way under the continental plate of South America. This movement has resulted in the formation of the Peru-Chile Trench, which lies beyond a narrow band of coastal waters off the northern two-thirds of the country.Nazca Plate Peru-Chile Trench

Earthquake! The same telluric displacements that created the Peru-Chile Trench make the country highly prone to earthquakes. During the twentieth century, Chile has been struck by twenty-eight major earthquakes, all with a force greater than 6.9 on the Richter scale.Richter scale

VERY Dry Desert! In the northern region of Chili, you can actually find the driest place in the world! It is called the Atacama Desert. Not many plants or animals make it home, however, copper mines are everywhere! Chile exports more copper than any other in the world!

A chilla in Pan de Azúcar National Park on the coast of the Atacama Desert.chillaPan de Azúcar National Park

Now, Let’s see what the southern part of Chile, in the Patagonia region, looks like. owstuffworks/41688-patagonia-2- land-of-fire-video.htm

Other Animals in Chile: Mountain lions (also called cougars and pumas), guanacos, vicunas, deer, and wolves are among Chile's mammals. There are many kinds of birds, including rheas, condors, pelicans, gulls, and penguins.

Chile's vegetation is varied. The northern coastal desert is virtually barren. In the Central Valley are low evergreen bushes, scrubby trees, and cacti.

Much of southern Chile and parts of mountain ranges in other regions are blanketed with forests of conifers, laurels, and other middle-latitude trees. Grasses predominate in Patagonia and on some mountain slopes.

Chile’s Past Prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while the indigenous Mapuche inhabited central and southern Chile.Inca indigenousMapuche

The Mapuche people were the original inhabitants of southern and central ChileMapuche

The conquest of Chile began in earnest in 1540 and was carried out by Pedro de Valdivia, one of Francisco Pizarro's lieutenants, who founded the city of Santiago on February 12, 1541.Pedro de Valdivia Francisco Pizarro

– A massive Mapuche insurrection that began in 1553 resulted in Valdivia's death and the destruction of many of the colony's principal settlements. The Spanish colonist continued in conflict with the Mapuche, as well as some other Europeans that were enemies of Spain.Mapuche

Chile declared its independence from Spain on February 12, In the War of the Pacific (1879–83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its current northern territory.declared its independenceWar of the Pacific

It was not until the 1880s that the Mapuche were completely subjugated, (overpowered). Mapuche

The 20 th century was a century of change and instability in government. Chile was governed by military coups, democratic leaders, absolute monarchy, and a socialist party leader.

Today, Chile is one of South America's most stable and prosperous nations and a recognized middle power. Democracy was restored, once a dictator was rejected.middle power Chili Today

Resources and Products Copper is its most valuable resource and export. Many other industries of Chile are dependent on the country's mineral production. Other metals and ores mined are iron ore, manganese, zinc, silver, and gold. Coal is also mined in Central Chile.

Until well into the 20th century, Chile depended largely on farming and mining. Now it has one of the more advanced economies in Latin America, primarily because of the growth in manufacturing since the early 20th century.

Chile has one of the world's largest fishing industries which yield an annual catch of 5 million tons (4.5 million metric tons) of fish and shellfish. Many kinds of fish and shellfish abound off the north coast and provide the basis for Chile's fishing industry, which is one of the largest in Latin America.

Fishing boats in Quellón, Chiloé with Corcovado volcano in the BackgroundQuellónChiloéCorcovado volcano

The People of Chile In 1992 Chile had a population of 13,348,401. The general population trend is a movement toward the cities, where roughly four-fifths of the people live. Spanish is the official language. Most of the people are Roman Catholics.

The excellent climate of the central zone makes outdoor sports popular there. Tennis, skiing, fishing, swimming, horseback riding, and golf are among the most common. Soccer is the favorite spectator sport.

Chilean rodeoChilean rodeo is unique to Chile Chile's most popular sport is association footballassociation football

Independence Day is celebrated on September 18. Many of the religious holidays observed by Chileans are celebrated with lively fiestas (festivals).

As we conclude our visit to Chile, I’d for you to get a special tour of Chile’s capital: Santiago! Enjoy! deos/956-Argentina-y-Chile-Part- Three-Santiago-

While on your tour, did you notice evidence(s) of changes of government? ---music of Chile? ---literature? ---architecture? ---income sources? ---historical landmarks?

Good-bye, as we leave Chile and look forward to our next visit to another South American country! I’ll provide a couple of hints, it borders the Caribbean and you enter it as you travel the Isthmus of Panama into South America!

Resources