214 CultureShock! Chile
Forestry
The forestry sector is vital to the Chilean economy. Forty-
five per cent of the land is suitable for forestry and 13.4
million hectares are covered by native forests. However,
most of the industry uses plantations. The majority of trees
cultivated are Radiata pine and eucalyptus because they
grow significantly faster in Chile than in other countries.
Chile is among the world’s largest exporters of cellulose
acetate. Other principal wood exports are pulp, chips, sawn
wood and paper.Wines
Chilean wines now hold a prominent place on the global
market. They have a strong reputation as good quality wines
at affordable prices. Chile’s distinct geography has proven
useful to the wine industry. The sea to the west and the Andes
Mountains to the east have protected the vines from foreign
insects and diseases. In fact, the Andes protected Chilean
vineyards from phylloxera, a disease that had severely
damaged the wine industry in Europe. Making news around
the globe, the Carmenére grape that was thought to have
been wiped out in France, was later found misidentified in
Chile. This delicious wine is now being produced in Chile to
great reviews.