Chile is home to over 15 million people, with over 40% of the total population living in the greater Santiago metropolitan region.
The official language is Spanish, although visitors will notice that Chilean Spanish is accented quite differently than in neighboring countries. English is spoken by well-educated business people and in those working in most tourist centers.
The Republic of Chile is a multiparty republic with two legislative houses.
While there is no official religion in Chile, approximately 78% of the population identifies as Roman Catholics. The 2nd largest religion in Chile is Protestant, accounting for 13% of the population.
The peso is the currency of Chile. The current peso has circulated since 1975, locally using the symbol $. It is subdivided into 100 centavos, although no centavo denominated coins remain in circulation.