POPULATION. Chile's population is estimated in 16 million inhabitants, mainly of Spanish or mixed Spanish-Indian descent, with large communities of British, German, Italian, Swiss, Croatian and French origin.

Capital: The capital of Chile is the city of Santiago, located at 520 m. above sea level.

Language: The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken

Public Holidays:

January 1st		New Year's Day
March/April		Easter, movable
May 21st		Navy Day
June 18th		Corpus Christi
June 29th		Saint Peter and Paul
July 16th		Our Lady of Carmen
August 15th		Ascension Day
September 18th-19th		Independence Days
October 12th		Columbus Day
November 1st		All Saints Day
December 8th		Immaculate Conception
December 25th		Christmas Day

Currency: The official currency is the "PESO".
The rate of exchange is 1 US$ = 490 Chilean pesos

Banking Hours: 9 am. to 2 pm.

Credit Cards: American Express - Master Card - Visa - Diners

Electric Current: 220 volts, 50 cycles. AC

Reciprocity Fee: The amounts indicated are the same ones that Chilean citizens are requested to pay when they travel to each of the countries mentioned. These amounts have to be paid in cash.

American citizens: US$ 131
Canadian citizens: US$ 132
Australian citizens: US$ 61
Mexican citizens: US$ 23