CHAPTER XXVIII
CHILE: AREA, HISTORY, GOVERNMENT,
POPULATION, ETC.
The country of Chile, the seventh in size of the South American Republics, is frequently ranked with the two largest, Brazil and Argentina, owing to the enterprise of its inhabitants: a natural result of their location in the temperate zone, from 17° 57′ to 55° 59′ South Latitude; increased perhaps by their long struggle with the Araucanian Indians.
Area, Population, Boundary
Area. Chile, with an extent of 290,000 square miles, is ribbon like in shape, having a length of nearly 2700 miles, a trifle more than Argentina; in a direct line 2140 miles, with a width of 70-248, miles averaging about 85.
Population. The country with approximately 4,000,000 inhabitants is fifth in this respect.
Boundary. The boundary of Chile is simple. At the north is Peru, on the east are Bolivia and Argentina, at the south and west the Pacific Ocean.
History
The bold Spanish invaders of Peru might reasonably have been contented for a time with the conquest of that vast territory. But Diego de Almagro, incited by the grant of 200 leagues south of those bestowed upon Pizarro, and enticed by the tales of a region richer still in gold and silver, set forth to gain possession of the allotted lands, not long after the founding of Lima in 1535. Over the great Bolivian Plateau and a high mountain pass into Chile, Almagro marched with his followers, only to return disappointed after enduring untold hardships and suffering.
A few years later a second expedition was undertaken by Pedro de Valdivia, this one along the shore. From Arica proceeding by sea, having landed at the mouth of the Rio Maipo, in February, 1541, Valdivia founded the city of Santiago. Still unsatisfied he continued south, in spite of much opposition, making settlements at Concepción, Imperial, Villa Rica, and Valdivia; but in 1553 he was himself slain by the warlike Araucanians, who long disputed with the invaders the occupation of their country. For 250 years the contest continued intermittently, with some diminution and amalgamation of the Indians, till the Chilians rose against Spain, when a more friendly feeling was established.
The Chilians, who convoked a national congress in 1810, regard this event as the inauguration of their independence; though not until 1818 was it secured with the aid of San Martín and his army from Argentina. Chile subsequently experienced many internal difficulties, but after 1861 the Government became more liberal, and since that period, except for the revolution against Balmaceda in 1890, the country has been free from serious internal strife.
Government
The government is that of a centralized republic with the usual three branches. The President, elected for a term of five years and not eligible at once for a second term, appoints the Intendentes and Gobernadores who respectively administer the 23 Provinces, and their subdivisions, the 82 Departments. There is one Territory, Magallanes, which includes the southern mainland and the coastal islands. The police force is national in organization. In the Provinces no legislative bodies exist save municipal councils with certain local duties. The franchise is so restricted (the voters must have property and be able to read and write) that as 25 per cent of the population is illiterate and most of the laboring class landless, the Government is said to be practically in the hands of a few leading families. Senators, 37 in number, must have an income of $2000 and Deputies, 118, one of $500. The President must not leave the country while in office.
Chile has 23 Provinces, all but five of which border on the Pacific, and one Territory. Beginning at the north the names of the Provinces follow with their approximate areas and population, and with the names and population of their capitals:
| Provinces | Area, in square miles | Population | Capitals | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacna | 9,000 | 40,000 | Tacna | 8,000 |
| Tarapacá | 17,000 | 134,000 | Iquique | 45,000 |
| Antofagasta | 46,500 | 220,000 | Antofagasta | 66,000 |
| Atacama | 31,000 | 67,000 | Copiapó | 13,000 |
| Coquimbo | 14,000 | 191,000 | La Serena | 16,000 |
| Aconcagua | 5,400 | 140,000 | San Felipe | 12,000 |
| Valparaiso | 1,775 | 347,000 | Valparaiso | 212,000 |
| Santiago | 5,900 | 627,000 | Santiago | 450,000 |
| O’Higgins | 2,168 | 125,000 | Rancagua | 13,000 |
| Colchagua | 3,900 | 163,000 | San Fernando | 10,000 |
| Curicó | 3,045 | 115,000 | Curicó | 23,000 |
| Talca | 3,900 | 135,000 | Talca | 42,000 |
| Maule | 2,800 | 125,000 | Cauquenes | 12,000 |
| Linares | 4,000 | 120,000 | Linares | 3,000 |
| Nuble | 3,500 | 199,000 | Chillán | 40,000 |
| Concepción | 3,300 | 271,000 | Concepción | 72,700 |
| Arauco | 2,200 | 74,000 | Arauco | 3,500 |
| Bio-Bio | 5,400 | 106,000 | Los Angeles | 14,000 |
| Malleco | 3,300 | 136,000 | Angol | 10,000 |
| Cautín | 6,400 | 175,000 | Temuco | 31,000 |
| Valdivia | 9,000 | 187,000 | Valdivia | 26,000 |
| Llanquihue | 35,000 | 150,000 | Puerto Montt | 8,000 |
| Chiloé | 7,000 | 100,000 | Ancud | 4,000 |
| Territory | ||||
| Magallanes | 65,000 | 32,000 | Punta Arenas | 20,000 |
Population
The population of Chile is little if any below 4,000,000, which gives it an average of 12 or more to the square mile, the highest rate of all the North and West Coast countries. There is considerable variation in the different Provinces, but less than in the other Republics, if the Territory is omitted. The most thickly inhabited region is from Valparaiso south to Valdivia; the Province of Santiago having the largest population and that of Valparaiso the densest. As to the character of the population it is estimated that 40 per cent are of white extraction, with at least 50-60 per cent mestizos; probably 50,000 Indians, including possibly 5000 in the far south, uncivilized and dying out. The educated class as in other countries forms a small minority of the inhabitants, but in recent years greater attention has been paid to the diffusion of knowledge among the common people.
Education
The middle and upper classes pay much attention to education. In Santiago there are two universities, the larger the University of Chile, open also to women, and the Catholic University, each with various departments; a National Institute or high school, a School of Mines, a Normal School, a School of Arts and Trades. In La Serena and Copiapó at the north are other Mining Schools, and in cities at the south Schools of Agriculture; also Normal Schools. An Industrial College is to be opened in Valparaiso. All towns have elementary schools; in all State schools including universities education is free, and in primary grades from 1921 compulsory. There are various private schools, in Santiago a large and excellent one for boys (managed for years by American Methodists), where the sons of many prominent families have been educated, as in La Paz, Bolivia.
Press, Religion, etc.
Press. The Press is free, influential, and of high character, the Mercurio of Valparaiso and Santiago having a world wide reputation, and ranking with the best of any country. There are about 700 newspapers and journals.
Religion. The Roman Catholic religion is recognized as that of the State, but freedom is permitted to others. The women generally are very devout, though as in the other countries the men of the governing classes are inclined to agnosticism.
Telegraph. Chile possesses 30,000 miles of telegraph lines and 46,000 of telephone. There are 32 wireless stations at intervals from Arica down to Punta Arenas, with one on Juan Fernandez Island.
Money. A gold peso (there are no such coins) may be regarded as worth 36 cents, but the paper money which is in general use fluctuates in value, a peso varying from 14 to 25 cents, usually 18-22. There are silver coins of 10, 20, 40 centavos, and copper of smaller value.
The Metric System of weights and measures is obligatory, all others being excluded by law.