What are some physical features of Chile?
- Andes Mountains.
- Volcanoes.
- Central Valley.
- Atacama Desert.
- Archipelagos.
What are the human characteristics of Chile?
Physical features of Chile
- Chile is located in Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
- The capital city of Chile is Santiago
- Chile is 10 times longer than it is wide
- Chile covers an area of 756,945 square kilometres
What are the geographical features of Chile?
What are geographical features of Chile?
- Andes Mountains.
- Volcanoes.
- Central Valley.
- Atacama Desert.
- Archipelagos.
Where is Chile on the world map?
Chile covers an area of 756,096 square kilometers (291,930 sq mi), with a population of 17.5 million as of 2017. Chile is the southernmost country in the world, the closest to Antarctica, and share land borders with Peru to the north, Bolivia to the north-east, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far south.
What are geographical features effect the climate of Chile?
Geography and Climate of Chile Because of its long, narrow profile and position adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and Andes Mountains, Chile has a unique topography and climate. Northern Chile is home to the Atacama Desert, which has one of the lowest rainfall totals in the world.
What are 3 physical features of Chile?
The major landforms of Chile are arranged as three parallel north–south units: the Andes mountains to the east; the intermediate depression, or longitudinal valley, in the centre; and the coastal ranges to the west.
What is the geography like in Chile?
Chile boasts a huge diversity of natural terrain. Ancient glaciers, snow-white salt plains, the driest desert on the planet, and a multitude of forests, lakes and active volcanoes. The terrain is mountainous – only one fifth of Chile's surface is flat.
What is the geography and climate of Chile?
Geography and Climate of Chile Santiago itself has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The southern inland portion of the country is covered with forests while the coast is a maze of fjords, inlets, canals, peninsulas, and islands. The climate in this area is cold and wet.
Does Chile have any mountains?
The Ojos del Salado (22,615 ft), part of the Andean mountains, is the tallest mountain in Chile as well as the highest active volcano in the world. It is also the Western and Southern Hemisphere's second tallest mountain after Mount Aconcagua.
How would you describe Chile?
Chile is a long narrow country which extends like a ribbon down the west coast of South America. While the coastline is over 4,000 miles (6,437 kilometers) long, it is only about 61 miles (91 kilometers) wide.
What type of weather is in Chile?
It is warm all year round. There is a very large daily range of temperate, up to 30 degrees celsius. Central Chile has a mediterranean type climate with long, hot summers and cool, wet winters. The best seasons are spring, September-November and fall, March-May.
What are 3 interesting facts about Chile?
17 Interesting Facts About ChileApproximately 1/3 of Chile's population lives in Santiago. ... Chile is one of the longest countries in the world. ... Chile is one of the most earthquake-prone countries. ... Easter Island isn't close to the rest of Chile. ... Two Chileans have won the Nobel Prize in Literature.More items...•
Does Chile have 4 seasons?
As a general rule however, the seasons run as follows: Summer (December to February), Autumn (March to May), Winter (June to August) and Spring (September to November).
What is the central area of Chile?
It extends from about 32° south latitude to about 37° south latitude.
How long is Chile's territory?
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.
Why did Peru and Chile argue?
There have been long arguments between Chileans and Peruvians since the 1800s. This is because they both claim boundary coastal lines . Peruvians claim the Northern part of Chile, which is now South West of Peru. The "triangulation" was made to fix the boundary problem between Chile and Peru. The decisions were accomplished on January 27, 1839, by the International Court of Justice The War of the Pacific was in the years 1879-1883. This was caused because of the minerals resources Chile had. This led for Chile to control Sea Shipping to Peru and send out an army to invade Peru on October 8, 1879. The attempt was also made to The United States but failed badly on October 1880. There was a resistance between Peruvians and Chileans for a few years. The United States offered help with a treaty for both Peru and Chile, better known as the Treaty of Ancón. This was signed by both of them on October 20, 1883, to keep the peace between them. In 2008, Peru took Chile to court over their maritime disputes. In 2014, the International Court of Justice's ruling resulted in Chile losing 80 miles from Chile's northwestern ocean zone. This ruling severely impacted fishers in the country.
How deep is the Chile trench?
The trench is about 150 km (93 mi) wide and averages about 5,000 m (16,404 ft) in depth. At its deepest point, just north of the port of Antofagasta, it plunges to 8,066 m (26,463 ft). Although the ocean's surface obscures this fact, most of Chile lies at the edge of a profound precipice.
How many earthquakes have happened in Chile?
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. The strongest of these occurred in 2010 (registering an estimated 8.8 on the Richter scale) and in Valdivia 1960 (reaching 9.5).
Why are earthquakes so common in Chile?
Earthquakes are common in Chile due to the country's location on the Nazca Plate and South American Plate. Chile notoriously had some of the most powerful earthquakes in history with the Valdivia Earthquake in 1960 at 9.5 on the Richter scale and the Maule Earthquake at 8.8 in 2010.
Where is the most lacustrine in Chile?
Although many lakes can be found in the Andean and coastal regions of central Chile, the south (Sur de Chile) is definitely the country's most lacustrine area. Southern Chile stretches from below the Bío-Bío River at about 37° south latitude to Chacao channel at about 42° south latitude.
How wide is Chile?
While the coastline is over 4,000 miles (6,437 kilometers) long, it is only about 61 miles (91 kilometers) wide. The country has suffered from many earthquakes, such as the massive 8.8-magnitude quake that struck the country in February 2010.
What are the animals that live in Chile?
Puma, alpacas, vicunas, foxes, condors, and flamingos are all found on the diverse landscapes of Chile. The Atacama Desert is one of the driest areas on the Earth. There are many species of reptiles and cacti. The country's rich supply of copper is also found in the desert region. Please be respectful of copyright.
What percentage of Chileans are Mapuche?
Today only about 5 percent of the population is native Mapuche and other indigenous groups. Nearly 95 percent of Chileans have a mixture of native and European roots. There are areas in the south where the Mapuche live, speak their language, and practice their own religion.
Why did Chinese people move to Chile?
Many Chinese moved to Chile to help build the railroad. Chile was once considered to be a very stable and free country. But in 1973 a bloody battle overthrew Salvador Allende's elected Marxist government and the country suffered 16 years under the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet. Democracy was restored in 1989.
What is the southern tip of South America?
The country has suffered from many earthquakes, such as the massive 8.8-magnitude quake that struck the country in February 2010. Cape Horn is the southernmost tip of South America. In the past, ships had to round the horn to sail from Pacific to Atlantic ports and to Europe before the Panama Canal was built.
Which country is located on the west coast of South America?
Chile. Chile is a long narrow country which extends like a ribbon down the west coast of South America.
What are the natural features of Chile?
Extremely diverse landforms – natural features on the surface of the Earth – are found from tip to tip of this rugged country. Chile is a land of extremes, with soaring snow-capped peaks, glaciers, fjords, volcanoes, fertile valleys and the world’s driest desert.
How many volcanoes are there in Chile?
The name “Ring of Fire” derives from the extremely high proportion of volcanic activity along this rim, and Chile is no exception. About 600 volcanoes rise in the Chilean Andes; of these, more than three dozen are considered active, having erupted at least once within the last century.
What are the chief uplifts in the Himalayas?
The chief uplifts are the Mahabharat Lekh and Siwalik ranges. With higher elevations in the Mahabharat Lekh reaching around 12,000 feet, these are "hills" only in relation to the dramatically lofty ramparts of the main Himalayas.
What are the hotspots of the world?
Another ecological hotspot is the Pantanal, one of the world’s largest freshwater wetlands . Sprawling across the borders of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, the Pantanal funnels waters from the Mato Grosso highlands into the Paraguay River system, and seasonally floods to form vast, wildlife-rich marshes and lakes.
How high is the Andes?
They are a very high range, particularly in the north of the country, where Nevado Ojos del Salado, the highest peak in Chile, rises to 22,614 feet. The summit elevations gradually decrease moving further south, until the range peters out at the edge of the continent. Many of the mountains of the Andes consist of volcanoes – some active, ...
What are the three drainages of Nepal?
Nourished by Nepal's three great drainages -- the Kosi, Narayani and Karnali, all draining the Himalayan front -- these hot, humid alluvial flats once supported dense tropical forests, but now are intensively cultivated and densely populated in many areas.
Which country is located in the Atacama Desert?
Chile 's Atacama Desert fronts the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images ) The long, spindly country of Chile ranks only 38th among the globe’s nations regarding the land area, but it extends across an entire 38 degrees of latitude, usurping more than half the Pacific Coast of the South American continent. ...
The Andes
Coast and Islands
- Chile and the other Andean countries have an emergent coastline. As the western edge of South America rises out of the sea, erosion and depositionby waves create narrow coastal plains, sea cliffs, headlands, small beaches, and marine terraces. The coastal plains are usually narrow, averaging less than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) wide. Where there is no...
The Central Valley
- The Central Valley is a series of long, narrow basins of different elevations. They are wedged between the coast range and the Andes Mountains. The high basins are in northern Chile. Andean streams have partially filled them with rock debris of past geologic ages. Along the Andean edge of the valley, waterborne gravel and coarse sand form huge, gently sloping alluvial fansat the ba…
Weather and Climate
- Chile's climates include a hot, parched desert—the Atacama—in the north, a Mediterranean climate in the middle, a marine (ocean-influenced) climate in the south, and a tundra (subpolar) climate in the extreme south. Temperatures decrease at increasingly higher latitudes(Table 1). Chileans refer to the Atacama Desert as El Norte Grande (The Big North). A dry, subtropical, hig…
Plants and Soils
- In northern Chile, plant life is sparse because of poor soils, desert dryness, and harsh temperatures. A few species of grass survive the scarcity of soil moisture by growing in bunches. The grasses provide some forage for grazing cattle, sheep, mules, llamas, and other camel-like livestock. A few cacti species also survive the desert conditions. The lowest part of the basin flo…
Fauna
- Fauna (animal life) also varies from north to south. The list of interesting mammals is endless, including many fur-bearing animals that are endangered because of a long history of over-hunting. In the northern Andes are all four members of the South American camelid family: the llama, alpaca, vicufta, and guanaco. These camel-like animals are hard to tell apart. The llama and alpa…
Forest and Wildlife Protection
- Chile has some beautiful wilderness areas where laws protect wildlife and vegetation. Wilderness areas are also remote areas, and as a result, humans sneak into these areas to cut valuable trees for timber and to hunt wild animals, such as the huemul. The huemul and several other species of land mammals are prized for their meat and hides. Because of poaching, such animals are on th…