Geography of Chile
Location
Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru.
Geographic Coordinates
30 00 S, 71 00 W
Geographical Area
Land
748,800 Sq Km.
Water
8,150 Sq Km.
Land Boundary
6,339 Km.
Border Countries
Argentina
5,308 Km.
Bolivia
860 Km.
Peru
171 Km.
Length of Coastline
6,435 Km.
Terrain
Low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east.
Elevation Extremes
Lowest Point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
Highest Point
Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m
Natural Resources
Copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower
Land Use
Arable Land
3%
Permanent Crops
0%
Other
97%
Irrigated Land
19,000 Sq Km.
Natural Hazards
Severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis
Environmental Issues
Widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage.
