Chile

South America · geography · extreme land

Super Skinny Shape. Chile is one of the longest, skinniest countries in the world. It stretches over 2,300 miles from north to south but is only about 120 miles wide at most, wedged between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

Closest to Antarctica. Chile is closer to Antarctica than any other country, and it even claims a giant chunk of Antarctica as its own territory. No other nation on Earth is quite as close to that frozen continent.

Mountains and Ocean. Chile has two of the world's most dramatic landscapes side by side. The Andes Mountains tower on one side, while the Pacific Ocean crashes on the other, creating an incredible natural border.

Island Paradise. Chile doesn't just own the mainland. It also governs Easter Island, Juan Fernández, and other Pacific islands far out in the ocean, making it control a huge area of the South Pacific.

Spanish Speaking Nation. About 18.5 million people live in Chile, and they all speak Spanish as their official language. The biggest city is Santiago, which sits right in the middle of the country.