FACTS

Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru

Area (only Total) total: 756,950 sq km

Climate: temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south

Terrain: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east

Population: 16,454,143 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Spanish

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Santiago

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-4

Independence: 18 September 1810 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

March/April * Good Friday

March/April* Easter

May 1 Labour Day

May 21 Navy Day

June* Corpus Christi

August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

September 18 Independence Day

October 12 Día de la Raza

November 1 All Saints Day

December 8 Immaculate Conception

December 25 Christmas Day

December 31 New Year's Eve/Bank Holiday

* Date Not Confirmed

Weekend Saturday, Sunday