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 some physical features in Chile?
- Two physical features in Chile are the Andes mountains and Cajon Del Maipo.
- Cajon Maipo is a canyon in Santiago metropolitan region, Chile.
- The Andes mountains is the longest continental mountain range in the world and is located along Chile you can hike along the mountains.
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 land features of Chile?
What Are The Major Natural Resources Of Chile?
- Copper. Chile is the top producer of copper in the world. ...
- Forests. Chile has vast forests on its land. ...
- Arable Land. Chile is endowed with large tracts of arable land. ...
- Water Resources. Chile has plenty of water resources within its borders. ...
- Coal. ...
- Natural Gas and Oil. ...
- Beautiful Landscape. ...
- Management of Natural Resources in Chile. ...
What are the geographical features of Chile?
What are geographical features of Chile?
- Andes Mountains.
- Volcanoes.
- Central Valley.
- Atacama Desert.
- Archipelagos.
What are 3 physical features of Chile?
Chile is certainly a land of contrasts geographically. It features arid deserts, beaches, fjords, volcanoes, snow-capped mountains, lakes, forests and everything in between including ice fields and glaciers.
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.
What is the landscape of Chile?
Chile GeographyGeographic LocationSouth AmericaTerrainlow coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in eastHighest Point6,880 MetersHighest Point LocationNevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 mLowest Point LocationPacific Ocean 0 m11 more rows
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.
What are the climatic conditions of Chile?
On average, Chile experiences mild southern hemispheric summers between November and January, with mean annual temperatures of 10°C-12°C, and wet winters between May and August, with precipitation of 72 millimeters (mm) to 90 mm per month.
In what geographical region is Chile?
South AmericaChile, country situated along the western seaboard of South America. It extends approximately 2,700 miles (4,300 km) from its boundary with Peru, at latitude 17°30′ S, to the tip of South America at Cape Horn, latitude 56° S, a point only about 400 miles north of Antarctica.
What is the climate and vegetation of Chile?
Although the climate is considered (ant)arctic, with primarily oceanic rather than continental influence at the narrow tip of the continent, frosts are rare and the vegetation is evergreen, kept low by the constant strong winds at this latitude.
How does geography affect the culture in Chile?
The culture of Chile has been influenced by the geographic isolation of the country and its relatively homogeneous population. Indigenous cultures of Chile blended with European (especially Spanish) cultures make up the present Chilean culture.
How wide is Chile?
A long, narrow country, it has an average width of only about 110 miles, with a maximum of 217 miles at the latitude of Antofagasta and a minimum of 9.6 miles near Puerto Natales. It is bounded on the north by Peru and Bolivia, on its long eastern border by Argentina, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Chile exercises sovereignty ...
What are the three landforms 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. These landforms extend lengthwise through the five latitudinal geographic regions into which the country is customarily subdivided. From north to south, with approximate boundaries, these are Norte Grande (extending to 27° S); the north-central region, Norte Chico (27° to 33° S); the central region, Zona Central (33° to 38° S); the south-central region, La Frontera and the Lake District (38° to 42° S); and the extreme southern region, Sur (42° S to Cape Horn).
What is the name of the region in Chile where the Andes lose elevation?
In southern Chile, below latitude 42° S, the Andes lose elevation and their summits become more separated as a consequence of the Quaternary glacial erosion. Farther south is Chilean Patagonia, a loosely defined area that includes the subregion of Magallanes and sometimes Chilean Tierra del Fuego.
How tall are the Andes?
The Andes of northern Chile to latitude 27° S are wide and arid, with heights generally between 16,500 and 19,500 feet (5,000 and 6,000 metres). Most of the higher summits are extinct volcanoes, such as the Llullaillaco, 22,109 feet; Licancábur, 19,409 feet; and Ojos del Salado, 22,614 feet.
What are the minerals found in Chile during the Cenozoic era?
In the Cenozoic Era (beginning about 65 million years ago) active volcanism and the injection of effusive rocks laid down the paleovolcanic materials (rhyolites and dacites) that contain the rich copper, iron, silver, molybdenum, and manganese ores of Chile. Also of Cenozoic origin are the coal deposits of central Chile.
What is the capital of Chile?
The capital is Santiago. Chile: Lake Villarrica. Lake Villarrica with the Villarrica Volcano in the background, Araucanía region, Chile. Fenno Jacobs/Photo Researchers. Chile’s relief is for the most part mountainous, with the Andes range dominating the landscape.
What are the natural events that occur in Chile?
Chile is also a land of extreme natural events: volcanic eruptions, violent earthquakes, and tsunamis originating along major faults of the ocean floor periodically beset the country. Fierce winter storms and flash floods alternate with severe summer droughts. Chile Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Britannica Quiz.
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.
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…