Chile Government

The government of Chile works under a representative democracy, which means the citizens of Chile elect individuals to represent their interests in government. The government of Chile is divided into 3 branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The President of Chile serves as both the Head of State and the Head of Government, while the legislative actions are carried out by the National Congress. The National Congress is divided into two houses: the Chamber of Deputies (120 seats) and the Senate (38 seats). The judicial branch is independent of the legislative and judicial.

Since 2009, voting in Chile has been voluntary. Any citizen over the age of 18 can vote with a valid national identification card or passport. The presidential electoral process is based on an absolute majority vote. If a presidential candidate does not receive the absolute majority of votes in the first round of elections, the top two candidates will go on to a second round of voting. The residents of 60 electoral districts elect two representatives each to serve a four-year term in the Chamber of Deputies. Voters in Chile also select 2 senators for each of the 19 senatorial electoral districts. This process makes Chile the only country in the world to have 2-seat electoral districts for both houses of congress. Senators serve eight-year terms; half of all senators are replaced every 4 years.

The National Congress of Chile convenes in the Chile Congress building, which is located in Valparaiso, a port city. This building is located nearly 87 miles from the capital city of Santiago. The meeting place was changed under the Pinochet regime in the late 1980’s. The new Chile Congress building was constructed in a contemporary style and is characterized by a number of large, white columns at its entrance.

Although Chile has a multiparty system with over 20 active political parties. However, coalition governments are commonly formed.

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

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Published on 2019-11-06


Capital	Santiago
Languages	Spanish 99.5% (official), English 10.2%, indigenous 1% (includes Mapudungun, Aymara, Quechua, Rapa Nui), other 2.3%, unspecified 0.2%
Ethnic Groups	White and non-indigenous 88.9%, Mapuche 9.1%, Aymara 0.7%, other indigenous groups 1% (includes Rapa Nui, Likan Antai, Quechua, Colla, Diaguita, Kawesqar, Yagan or Yamana), unspecified 0.3% (2012 est.)
Religion	Roman Catholic 66.7%, Evangelical or Protestant 16.4%, Jehovah's Witness 1%, other 3.4%, none 11.5%, unspecified 1.1% (2012 est.)
Government	Presidential republic
Independance	18 September 1810 (from Spain)
Area	756,102.00 km²
Water Area	12,290.00 km²
Land Area	743,812.00 km²
Population	17,650,114.00 90% of the population is located in the middle third of the country around the capital of Santiago; the far north (anchored by the Atacama Desert) and the extreme south are relatively underpopulated
Location	Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
No. Bordering Countries	3
Bordering Countries	Argentina 6,691 km, Bolivia 942 km, Peru 168 km
GDP(PPP)	$436,000,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$24,000.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are China, the United States, and Japan.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are copper, fruit, fish products, paper, and pulp.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are China, Brazil, and Argentina.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include petroleum and petroleum products, and chemicals.
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
Learn More	Chile

Chile Government

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