Chile Essay -- essays research papers fc

Introduction Chile is a republic located in southwestern South America. On the north side of Chile lies Peru, to the east is Bolivia and Argentina, and on the south Peru is bounded by the Pacific Ocean. The Archipelagoes Islands extend along the southern coast of Chile from Chiloà © Island to Cape Horn. Among these islands are the Chonos Archipelago, Wellington Island, and the western portion of Tierra del Fuego. Some other islands that belong to Chile include the Juan Fernà ¡ndez Islands, Easter Island, and Sala y Gà ³mez. All of these islands lie in the South Pacific. Chile also happens to claim a section of Antarctica. The capital and largest city of Chile is Santiago. Land and Resources The most dominant physical feature in Chile are the Andes Mountains, which extend the entire length of the country, from the Bolivian plateau in the north to Tierra del Fuego in the south. PHYSICAL REGIONS Chile can be divided in to three topographic zones: the lofty Andean cordillera on the east; the low coastal mountains on the west; and the plateau area, which includes the Central Valley, between these ranges. Three major geographical and climatological regions can be distinguished: the northern (arid), central (Mediterranean), and southern (temperate marine) regions. The ranges of the Andes are the widest in the northern region. This forms broad plateaus that contain the country’s highest peak, Ojos del Salado, which is located on the border with Argentina. The plateau area is occupied by the great Atacama Desert, which contains vast nitrate fields and rich mineral deposits. In the central region the plateau gives way to a valley, known as the Central valley. The valley, which ranges form 40 to 80 km (25 to 50 mi) in width, is the most heavily populated area of the country. The fertile area between the Aconcagua and Biobà ­o rivers forms the agricultural heartland of Chile. The central Andes are narrower in width and have lower elevation that those in the north. The most important passes in the Andes are located here. The country’s finest natural harbors are located in this region. The southern region is without an interior valley; it disappears below the sea at Puerto Montt. Peaks of the submerged coastal mountains form the long chains of islands along the coast. Chile lies in a zone of geologic instability and is subject to earthquakes and volcanic activity. ... ...hydroelectric power. Major efforts have been made to harness this potential, and by 1998 about 52 percent of Chile’s energy was generated from waterpower. TRANSPORTATION Chile has a network of about 49,000 miles of roads. Only 14 percent are paved. Railroad lines total over 1500 miles in length and are confined to the northern two-thirds of the country. Spur lines to important coastal towns connect the main north-south system. Because of the difficult terrain, many coastal cities rely on water transportation from various ports including Valparaà ­so, Antofagasta, and Punta Arenas. There are also important international airports located near Santiago, and Arica. Conclusion Chile is a country that is developing very quickly and therefore is in demand when exporting the goods that are produced here are taken into account. All of the factors presented have the same developing relationship. The increase in skills, knowledge, communication, and population are what make this economy grow. Works Cited Fellmann, Getis, and Getis. Human Geography, Sixth Edition, Updated Edition. McGraw Hill. New York, 2001. Hudson, Espendhade. Goode’s World Atlas, 20th Edition. Rand McNally, 2000. Chile Essay -- essays research papers fc Introduction Chile is a republic located in southwestern South America. On the north side of Chile lies Peru, to the east is Bolivia and Argentina, and on the south Peru is bounded by the Pacific Ocean. The Archipelagoes Islands extend along the southern coast of Chile from Chiloà © Island to Cape Horn. Among these islands are the Chonos Archipelago, Wellington Island, and the western portion of Tierra del Fuego. Some other islands that belong to Chile include the Juan Fernà ¡ndez Islands, Easter Island, and Sala y Gà ³mez. All of these islands lie in the South Pacific. Chile also happens to claim a section of Antarctica. The capital and largest city of Chile is Santiago. Land and Resources The most dominant physical feature in Chile are the Andes Mountains, which extend the entire length of the country, from the Bolivian plateau in the north to Tierra del Fuego in the south. PHYSICAL REGIONS Chile can be divided in to three topographic zones: the lofty Andean cordillera on the east; the low coastal mountains on the west; and the plateau area, which includes the Central Valley, between these ranges. Three major geographical and climatological regions can be distinguished: the northern (arid), central (Mediterranean), and southern (temperate marine) regions. The ranges of the Andes are the widest in the northern region. This forms broad plateaus that contain the country’s highest peak, Ojos del Salado, which is located on the border with Argentina. The plateau area is occupied by the great Atacama Desert, which contains vast nitrate fields and rich mineral deposits. In the central region the plateau gives way to a valley, known as the Central valley. The valley, which ranges form 40 to 80 km (25 to 50 mi) in width, is the most heavily populated area of the country. The fertile area between the Aconcagua and Biobà ­o rivers forms the agricultural heartland of Chile. The central Andes are narrower in width and have lower elevation that those in the north. The most important passes in the Andes are located here. The country’s finest natural harbors are located in this region. The southern region is without an interior valley; it disappears below the sea at Puerto Montt. Peaks of the submerged coastal mountains form the long chains of islands along the coast. Chile lies in a zone of geologic instability and is subject to earthquakes and volcanic activity. ... ...hydroelectric power. Major efforts have been made to harness this potential, and by 1998 about 52 percent of Chile’s energy was generated from waterpower. TRANSPORTATION Chile has a network of about 49,000 miles of roads. Only 14 percent are paved. Railroad lines total over 1500 miles in length and are confined to the northern two-thirds of the country. Spur lines to important coastal towns connect the main north-south system. Because of the difficult terrain, many coastal cities rely on water transportation from various ports including Valparaà ­so, Antofagasta, and Punta Arenas. There are also important international airports located near Santiago, and Arica. Conclusion Chile is a country that is developing very quickly and therefore is in demand when exporting the goods that are produced here are taken into account. All of the factors presented have the same developing relationship. The increase in skills, knowledge, communication, and population are what make this economy grow. Works Cited Fellmann, Getis, and Getis. Human Geography, Sixth Edition, Updated Edition. McGraw Hill. New York, 2001. Hudson, Espendhade. Goode’s World Atlas, 20th Edition. Rand McNally, 2000.