Here are some interesting links on Chile :

CIA The World Factbook

The Free Encyclopedia Wikipedia

Despite its geographical isolation by formidable barriers, Chile has traditionally been one of the continents best educated and most stable and politically sophisticated nations. Today, it is one of the leading industrial countries in the continent. Eighty percent of its population of around 16 million live in urban areas. Chile is also home to a number of immigrant groups, including minority populations from Asia and from nearly every European country.

Approximately 90% of Chileans are Catholics. The Catholic Church has played a central role in Chilean politics since colonial days, particularly with regards to the protection of human rights. Today, the Church is asked to go back to the ways of closeness, solidarity, insertion and to the prophetic role she played during the years of dictatorship. The Conference of Religious of Chile (CONFERRE) is attentive to this reality.

An integral part of Chile's history and culture, Catholicism has provided the country with some of its Most compelling cultural monuments. Among these are the colonial adobe churches and cathedrals of its towns and cities. Countless roadside shrines, some of which are extraordinary manifestations of folk art, also testify to the pervasiveness of the Catholic religion in Chilean society.

Text MIC MISSION NEWS (October-November-December 2002)
Maria Anthea Raso, m.i.c.