Chile, officially known as the Republic of Chile, is a country located in western South America. It is characterized by its long, narrow geography, extending along a strip of land situated between the Andes Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. As the southernmost country in the world, it is also the nation closest to Antarctica.
The country covers a territorial area of 756,102 square kilometers and shares borders with Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, and Argentina to the east. It also administers several Pacific islands, including Easter Island, and claims approximately 1,250,000 square kilometers of Antarctica as the Chilean Antarctic Territory. The capital and largest city is Santiago, and Spanish is the official national language.
According to the 2024 census, Chile has an enumerated population of 18.5 million people. Its southern maritime boundary is defined by the Drake Passage.