Fast Facts 23563 per cent of homes have a computer
41 per cent of homes have access to the Internet
53 per cent of Chileans use the Internet on a regular basis
NOTABLE NAMES
Pedro de Valdivia (early 1500s)
Conquistador and founder of the cities of Santiago, Concepción
and Valdivia.
Bernardo O ́Higgins (1778-1842)
Liberator of Chile from Spanish rule and first head of state.
Arturo Prat (1848-1879)
One of Chile’s greatest heroes. As Captain of the Esmeralda
naval ship during the Battle of Iquique, he showed great
bravery when he jumped aboard the enemy ship and was
subsequently killed.
Salvador Allende
First socialist elected President of Chile. He died in the 11
September 1973 Coup led by General Augusto Pinochet.
General Augusto Pinochet
Military general who took power in the 1973 coup and ruled
until 1989.
Michelle Bachelet
First female President of Chile, she took office in 2006.
Sebastián Piñera
Wealthy, right-wing entrepreneur and politician who became
President of Chile in 2010, bringing about an end to 20 years
of Concertación control.
Joaquín Lavín
Former mayor of Santiago and Presidential Candidate, he is
another important figure in the Chilean political right.