Chile stretches over 4,300 km along the western edge of South America but averages only about 180 km in width, giving it one of the most distinctive geographical shapes in the world. Its territory covers approximately 756,000 km² and spans a remarkable range of climates and landscapes — from the extremely arid Atacama Desert in the north to Mediterranean valleys in the centre and cold, forested fjord regions in the south. The towering Andes Mountains form Chile’s eastern border and strongly influence climate, water supply and land use.
Before Spanish colonisation in the 16th century, Indigenous groups such as the Mapuche inhabited central and southern Chile, practising agriculture and livestock raising. Under Spanish rule, farming systems were introduced and expanded, particularly in the fertile Central Valley. After independence in 1818, Chile developed a strong agricultural export sector, later complemented by mining, which became the dominant part of the economy.
Today, Chile’s primary sector contributes roughly 4% of GDP, though it remains highly important for exports and rural employment. About 21% of Chile’s land is used for agriculture, mainly concentrated in the Central Valley, where Mediterranean climate conditions allow intensive farming.
Chile is a major global exporter of fruit, especially grapes, apples, berries and cherries. Vineyards are particularly significant, making Chile one of the world’s leading wine producers. Wheat, maize and potatoes are also cultivated for domestic consumption.
Livestock farming includes cattle, sheep and poultry, with sheep farming especially important in the southern regions such as Patagonia.
Forests cover around 23% of Chile’s land area, and forestry is a major export industry. Large plantations of fast-growing pine and eucalyptus support timber, pulp and paper production.
Chile’s extensive Pacific coastline — more than 6,000 km long including fjords and islands — supports a highly developed fishing industry. The country is one of the world’s leading producers of farmed salmon, alongside traditional fisheries targeting species such as anchoveta and hake.
Overall, Chile’s primary sector reflects its striking geographical contrasts: fruit and wine production in the temperate centre, forestry and sheep farming in the south, and fisheries along its long coastline. These activities continue to play a key role in exports and regional development despite the dominance of mining in the national economy.
In 2013 Gerold spent 4 days in Chile as a side trip of my Peru trip. I was only in Santiago, a very modern city with a southern European flair. I spent my holidays there, walked through the city, typed a lot in the Vegas Hotel in the city center (Londres 49) and prepared myself for the return trip to Germany.