This sliver of land between the Andes and the Pacific is a forward-looking nation, one that international travelers have embraced for its beauty, culture and many business opportunities. Chile attracts copious amounts of foreign investment with the same élan with which it draws flocks of skiers from the northern hemisphere to enjoy its summer slopes, and oenologists from around the world to take pleasure in its excellent vineyards located in the Maipo Valley, an hour and a half by car from Santiago. At the heart of this narrow and mountainous nation is Santiago, serving since colonial days as Chile’s governmental, financial and cultural heart. For international business people, Santiago is the portal to the country’s rich industrial and agricultural regions.

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES
Chile’s economy derives its strength from several well-established industries; mining is at the top. The country is the world’s largest producer of copper, which accounts for 40 percent of its exports. It also has reserves of lithium, iron, silver, gold, natural gas and oil. With 2,700 miles of coastline, fishing plays an important role in the economy. The country is second only to Norway in salmon exports, and fish products are enormously lucrative. The extensive coastline also holds tremendous hydroelectric potential.

Despite its climactic extremes (the Atacama Desert in the north is the driest area in the world), much of Chile enjoys a Mediterranean climate,  not unlike California, which serves its agricultural industry well. Chilean grapes not only fuel a flourishing wine industry, they provide table grapes to many northern hemisphere nations through their winter months. Many Chilean fruits, in fact, supplement American-grown produce during the off-season. Chile has a stable government, a well-developed financial sector and reliable infrastructure.