Capital of Chile: Santiago — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Chile is Santiago. Chile sits in South America, has a population of 19,603,733, and uses the CLP. Official languages include Spanish.
Quick facts
- Capital: Santiago
- Continent: South America
- Population: ~19,603,733
- Area: 756,102 km²
- Population density: 25.9 people per km²
- Official language: Spanish
- Currency: CLP
- ISO code: CL
How big is Chile?
By population, Chile ranks 65th in the world, holding roughly 0.25% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 37th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Chile has 25.9 people per square kilometre, which is about 2.3 times below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within South America, Chile is the 6th most populous country of 12.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Chile in population are Romania (19,659,267) and Kazakhstan (19,397,998).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Zambia (752,612 km²) and Turkey (783,562 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Spanish is spoken officially in 20 countries in this dataset, including Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica and Cuba, and 14 others.
Chile uses the CLP, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Chile
Santiago lies in Chile's Central Valley, between the Andes and the coastal mountains, while the National Congress meets in nearby ValparaÃso. For the flag, remember its nickname, 'La Estrella Solitaria': the lone star.
The flag of Chile: white, red and blue
🇨🇱 The flag is two horizontal stripes, white above red, with a blue square holding a white five-pointed star in the top corner by the flagpole. The star is a guide to progress and honour. Blue stands for the sky, white for the snow of the Andes, and red for the blood spilled to win independence.
Region and neighbours
Chile is a country in southwestern South America, stretching along a narrow strip of land between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. It shares land borders with 3 countries: Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.
- Peru 🇵🇪 — capital Lima
- Bolivia 🇧🇴 — capital Sucre
- Argentina 🇦🇷 — capital Buenos Aires
Three facts about Chile
- Chile is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica.
- The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is the world's driest desert.
- Chile's territory includes Easter Island, far out in the Pacific Ocean.
Sources: Wikipedia: Chile, Wikipedia: Flag of Chile, Wikipedia: Santiago, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Chile
- South American capitals quiz — match Chile to Santiago
- South American flags quiz — spot the Chile flag among its neighbours
Chile capital quiz
What is the capital of Chile 🇨🇱?
- Bogotá
- Santiago
- Lima
- Quito
Show answer
Santiago
What is the capital of Ecuador 🇪🇨?
- Montevideo
- Quito
- Bogotá
- BrasÃlia
Show answer
Quito
What is the capital of Venezuela 🇻🇪?
- Sucre
- Caracas
- Montevideo
- Bogotá
Show answer
Caracas
What is the capital of Bolivia 🇧🇴?
- Sucre
- Buenos Aires
- BrasÃlia
- Bogotá
Show answer
Sucre
What is the capital of Peru 🇵🇪?
- Buenos Aires
- Lima
- Santiago
- Montevideo
Show answer
Lima
Chile in South America
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Peru.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — South America is the block Chile belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Chile.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Chile?
The capital of Chile is Santiago.
What is the population of Chile?
About 19,603,733, making it the 65th most populous country in the world.
How big is Chile?
756,102 square kilometres, ranking 37th by land area, at a density of 25.9 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Chile use?
The CLP, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Chile flag?
The flag of Chile is two horizontal stripes, white above red, with a blue square holding a white five-pointed star in the top corner by the flagpole. The star is a guide to progress and honour. Blue stands for the sky, white for the snow of the Andes, and red for the blood spilled to win independence.
Which countries border Chile?
Chile shares land borders with Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.
How can I remember the capital of Chile?
Santiago lies in Chile's Central Valley, between the Andes and the coastal mountains, while the National Congress meets in nearby ValparaÃso. For the flag, remember its nickname, 'La Estrella Solitaria': the lone star.
More capitals to learn
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