Chile (1983: Doomsday)
From Alternative History
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| Capital: | Santiago | ||||
| Language: | Spanish | ||||
| President: | Michelle Bachelet | ||||
| Area: | 756,950 km2 km² | ||||
| Population: | 15,000,000 inh. | ||||
| Independence: | 1818 | ||||
| Currency: | Peso | ||||
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile (Spanish: República de Chile), is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, the United American Republic to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far south. It is one of two countries in South America (with Ecuador) which do not border Brazil.
Currently, Chile is one of the world's most stable and prosperous nations. It leads the world nations in human development, gross domestic product per capita, competitiveness, quality of life, political stability, globalization, economic freedom, low perception of corruption and comparatively low poverty rates. It also ranks high in freedom of the press, democratic development and literacy. However, it has a high income inequality.
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[edit] History
[edit] Pre-Doomsday
Prior to arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while the indigenous Araucanians inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879–83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions. It was not until the 1880s that the Araucanians were completely subjugated. Although relatively free of the coups and arbitrary governments that blighted South America, Chile endured a 17-year military dictatorship (1973–1990) that left more than 6,000 people dead and missing.
[edit] Post-Doomsday
Doomsday ended any hope most reformers had that the Chile government would become more democratic. The years after Doomsday were marked by increased government oppression as General Pinochet attempted to hold Chile together as it suffered the indirect effects of Doomsday. However in the late 1980s, the government gradually permitted greater freedom of assembly, speech, and association, to include trade union and political activity. The government launched market-oriented reforms, which have continued ever since. Chile moved toward a free market economy that saw an increase in domestic and foreign private investment.
In a plebiscite on October 5, 1988, General Pinochet was not allowed a second 8-year term as president. Chileans elected a new president and the majority of members of a two-chamber congress on December 14, 1989. Christian Democrat Patricio Aylwin, the candidate of a coalition of 17 political parties called the Concertación, received an absolute majority of votes (55%). President Aylwin served from 1990 to 1994, in what was considered a transition period. Meanwhile the economy boomed in the 1990s as demand for South American goods skyrocketed now that the continent was the "arsenal" of the post-Doomsday world. The copper industry and other important mineral resources were also opened for competition.
In 2003, Chile signed an extensive free trade agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand creating a boom in import and export of local produce and becoming a regional trade-hub. Further free trade agreements were signed with the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Pakistan and other Pacific/Asian nations turning Chile into the center for the Pacific trade on South America.
Free elections continued to be held, but the successive governments were increasingly dominated by the Concertación who has governed over one of the most profitable periods of Chilean history. One political commentator suggested that Doomsday was the best thing that ever happened to Chile. In January 2006 Chileans elected their first woman president Michelle Bachelet Jeria, of the Socialist Party, extending the Concertación government for another four years.
[edit] Geography
The Pacific coastline of Chile is 6,435 kilometres. Chilean territory includes the Pacific islands of Juan Fernández, Salas y Gómez, Desventuradas and Easter Island. Chile also claims about 1,250,000 square kilometres of Antarctica, and maintains a small military/research base on King George Island to enforce those claims.
Chile's unusual, ribbon-like shape—4,300 kilometres (2,700 mi) long and on average 175 kilometres (109 mi) wide—has given it a varied climate, ranging from the world's driest desert—the Atacama—in the north, through a Mediterranean climate in the centre, to a rainy temperate climate in the south. The northern desert contains great mineral wealth, principally copper. The relatively small central area dominates in terms of population and agricultural resources, and is the cultural and political center from which Chile expanded in the late 19th century, when it incorporated its northern and southern regions. Southern Chile is rich in forests and grazing lands and features a string of volcanoes and lakes. The southern coast is a labyrinth of fjords, inlets, canals, twisting peninsulas, and islands.
[edit] Military
Chile's armed forces are subject to civilian control exercised by the president through the Minister of Defense. Military service of 12 to 24 months is mandatory for all male citizens upon turning 18. This conscription service can be postponed for educational or religious reasons. In recent years and after several major reequipment programs, the Chilean Armed Forces have become one of the most technologically advanced and professional of the world. Chilean forces have taken part in several recent military campaigns including the establishment of the RZA and the peace-keeping mission in Liberia.
[edit] International relations
Chile is a founding member of the League of Nations and the South American Confederation. Chile maintains excellent relationships with its fellow South American nations and has become an outspoken supporter of extending membership in the SAC to the nations of Central America and the Carribean.
[edit] Religion
Chile is predominantly Roman Catholic with over 80% of the population identifying themselves as Catholic. Some of this is due to the close proximity of the country to the Vatican in Rio de Janeiro. Despite this the goverment and courts of Chile strongly defend the concept of religious freedom, dishing out harsh penalties for religious discriminations.
[edit] Sports
Soccer is by far the most popular sport. Chile is a member of FIFA and has participated in the FIFA World Cup since it was restarted after Doomsday.
Chile has also done well in the sport of tennis. Marcelo Rios was the top-ranked world men's player for six years, garnering favorable comparisons to such legends as Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, until a back injury forced him to retire in 2004 at the age of 27. Rodeo, skiing, surfing, and basketball are also popular.
Chile is also a member of the International Rugby Board.
[edit] See Also
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