Chile, republic in southwestern South America, bounded on the north by Perú, on the east by Bolivia and Argentina, and on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean. It has an extreme northern-southern length of approximately 4270 km (about 2650 mi), but its average width is less than 180 km (less than 110 mi). Archipelagoes extend along the southern Chilean coast from Chiloé Island to Cape Horn, the southernmost point of the South American continent. Among these are the Chonos Archipelago, Wellington Island, and the western portion of Tierra del Fuego. Other islands belonging to Chile include the Juan Fernández Islands, Easter Island, and Sala y Gómez, all of which lie in the South Pacific. The country has a total area of 756,626 sq km (292,135 sq mi). Chile also claims a section of Antarctica. The country's capital and largest city is Santiago.

The official currency in Chile is called Peso, the symbol for peso is the same as the dollar sign. Denominations are: coins $1 (rarely used), $5, $10, $50 and $100, and bank notes: $500, $1.000, $5.000 and $10.000. (Note the use of a dot to indicate thousands.)

 One US dollar is equivalent to approximately 500 pesos. This rate is pretty stable.

If you come from abroad, bring US dollars with you. Other currencies can only be traded in downtown Santiago during business hours. If you bring chilean pesos it is very likely that the rate of exchange will be very bad.

While trading in US dollars is legal, very few shops take them. (They do in the airport, many hotels, travel agencies, and other touristic sites.)

US dollars can be changed freely in money exchange shops (open during business hours, Mon. to Fri.), travel agencies, and hotels. You can also buy some pesos at the airport, in the baggage claim area. In addition, some shopping malls have an exchange shop which opens every day and buys US dollars at a reduced rate: use them only for small amounts.

Because 1 peso is so little money, no decimals are ever used in prices. Unless otherwise specified, prices shown in stores include VAT (Value-added Tax, or in Spanish IVA, Impuesto al Valor Agregado).