MilanMilan (Italian: Milano; Milanese dialect: Milán) is the main city in northern Italy, and is located in the plains of Lombardy, the most populated and developed region in Italy. The city proper has about 1,308,311 inhabitants (2004), but the population of the urban area including the hinterland is about 4 million and is called La Grande Milano (Greater Milan, 1,981 square kilometres). The metropolitan area, called the Città Regione (The City Region) claims more than 9.4 million inhabitants (this is an ambitious definition of Milan's metropolitan area, perhaps not very comparable with figures claimed for metros outside Italy). Milan's name has for many centuries been recorded as Mailand, which is still the German name of the city today. It comes from the Celtic Mid-lan (meaning "in the middle of the plain") and was known as Mediolanum by the Romans. Its province lies in the western part of Lombardy; it covers an area of 1,982 km2 and has a population of 3,839,818 (2004); in 1991, the population was 3,738,685. The province comprises 188 communes, ranging in population (2001) from Milan Municipality (1,308,311) to Nosate (638); the city of Milan has lost 113,084 inhabitants (8.3 percent), from 1991 to 2001. The town is famous for fashion firms and shops (via Montenapoleone) and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele on the Piazza Duomo, reputed to be the world's oldest shopping mall. Milan is one of the world capitals of fashion, like New York City, Paris, London and Rome, and design. Indeed the English word milliner is derived from the name of the city. Another famed product of the city is the traditional Christmas sweet cake called Panettone. Milan is also famous for the Alfa Romeo motorcar and for its silk production. Inhabitants of Milan are referred to as "Milanesi" and nicknamed "Meneghini". HistoryIt is presumed Milan was originally founded by the Celts of Northern Italy around 600 BCE and was conquered around 222 BCE by the Romans, who gave it the name of Mediolanum. In the 4th century CE, at the time of the bishop Saint Ambrose and emperor Theodosius I, the city was briefly the capital of the Western Roman Empire. At that time Milan was the second largest city in Europe, with more than 300,000 inhabitants. St Ambrose is now the Patron Saint of the city. His feast day is the 7th of Decmeber. In the 11th century, after the Ostrogothic and Lombard periods, the city regained its importance and led other Italian cities in gaining semi-independence from the Holy Roman Empire. During the Plague of 1349 Milan was one of the few places in Europe that was untouched by the epidemic, but it was deeply affected by the plagues of 1402 (50,000 deaths), 1542 (80,000), 1576 (17,000) and 1629 (also known as Great Plague of Milan, 70,000 deaths). During the Renaissance Milan was ruled by dukes of the Visconti and Sforza families, who had artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante at their service. After trying to conquer the rest of northern Italy in the 15th century, Milan was conquered by France, and then later on by Austria (Habsburg), then given in the early 16th century to the Spanish Habsburg line to rule. In the 18th century Austria replaced Spain as Milan's overlord, because the Spanish line of Habsburgs died out. But the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars saw the city annexed into the French satellite states of the Cisalpine Republic, which later became the Kingdom of Italy. After this period, Milan was part of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia under Austrian rule. Milan eventually became one of the main centers of Italian nationalism, claiming independence and the unification of Italy. In 1859 (after the second of the Wars of Italian Independence) Austrian rule was ended by the Kingdom of Sardinia (which transformed into the kingdom of Italy in 1861). As a critical industrial center of Italy, Milan was target of continuous carpet bombing during World War II. The city was bombed even after Pietro Badoglio surrendered to the allied forces in 1943. In fact, Milan was part of Mussolini's Italian Social Republic puppet state, and an important command centre of the German Army stationed in Italy. When war in Italy was finally over, April 25, 1945, Milan was heavily damaged and entire neighborhoods such as Precotto and Turro were destroyed. After the war, the city was reconstructed and has again become an important financial and industrial centre of Italy. See also: Rulers of Milan. DemographicsMilan is a very diverse city, being the second largest city in Italy, but it is the most industrial and main financial centre of the country. Many immigrants come from Asian and North African nations. A small percentage comes from Latin America. The city is 85% Italian, 4% from other EU countries, and the remainder include Romanian, Egyptian, Filipino, Sri Lankan, Chinese, and Albanian. EconomyMilan is the centre of much finance, the seat of the Italian Stock Exchange (la Borsa Valori) and its hinterland is an avant-garde industrial area. Fiera Milano, the city's Exhibition Center and Trade Fair complex, is one of the most important in the world. This new fairground, in the north-western suburb of Pero and Rho (opened in April 2005), is Europe's largest open construction project, making Fiera Milano the largest trade fair complex in the world. Milan was included in a list of ten "Alpha world cities" by Peter J. Taylor and Robert E. Lang of the Brookings Institution in the economic report "U.S. Cities in the 'World City Network'" (Key Findings, Full Report). Famous Businesses of Milan
Architecture & PlacesPrincipal churches
Famous monuments
Notable architecture
Culture & ArtA greengrocer in central Milan with a sign in Milanese, the local dialect, claiming to be 'the oldest greengrocer of Milan' (l'ortolán püŝee vêcc de Milan)Milan is one of the most important centres in the world for Opera lirica, with its famous Teatro alla Scala (La Scala, theatre). The Biblioteca Ambrosiana contains drawings and notebooks by Leonardo da Vinci among its vast holdings of books, manuscripts, and drawings, and is one of the main repositories of European culture. The city is also the home of the Brera Academy of Fine Arts. In the church Santa Maria delle Grazie can be found one of the most famous paintings of Leonardo da Vinci: The Last Supper (it: "Cenacolo"). Museums & Exhibitions
Theaters
Universities
TransportationAirportsThe city has a large international airport known as Malpensa International Airport (MXP), located in the northern suburb of Busto Ariszio and connected to the downtown with the "Malpensa Express" railway service (from Cadorna Station). Malpensa was designed by the famous Ettore Sottsass. Milan also has the Linate Airport (LIN) within the city limits (for European and domestic traffic), connected with bus line 73 (from S. Babila). A third airport is Orio al Serio (BGY), close to the city of Bergamo. Vergiate, Bresso, and Parma are further airports in the region. The main 3 airports of Milano (Malpensa, Linate and Orio) comprise the largest and most important hub in Italy, both for passengers and cargo. Subways, tramways, and busesMilan's transportation system (M-S-R Lines) S Lines map.Milan has 3 subway lines (M1 - red, M2 - green, M3 - yellow) and the system, called Milan Metro - "M", running for more than 80 km. There is also a light metro-service, "Metrò S. Raffaele", connecting the S. Raffaele Hospital with the Cascina Gobba station (M2). Extensions of lines 1, 2 and 3 are under construction, to create more than 15 km of track with 10 new stations. Line 5 is also under construction, to be finished in the first half of 2008. Lines 4 (linking downtown with Linate Airport) and 6 are in planning stages. Greater Milan also has one of the most extensive tramway systems in the world, with more than 286 km of track, and 20 lines. 93 bus lines cover over 1,070 km between them. The local transportation authority (ATM) transported more than 600 million passengers in 2003 . National RailwayMilan is one of the most important railway hubs of Italy, and the 5 major stations of Milan are among Italy's busiest:
Three new stations for passenger service are under construction:
High speed train lines are under contruction all across Italy, and new lines will open from Milan to Rome and Naples, and from Milan to Torino. The stations for the TAV (Treni ad Alta Velocità - High Speed Trains) will be:
A line from Milan to Venice and then to Trieste is under construction. At the end of the work, the TAV station for Milan to the east will be:
Regional-Metropolitan Railway servicesThe Suburban Railway Service ( "S" Lines, a service similar to the French RER and German S-Bahn), composed of 8 suburban lines and 10 more scheduled for 2008, connects the "Greater Milan" to cities such as Como and Varese. The Regional Railway Service ( "R"), instead, links Milan with the rest of Lombardy and the national railway system. The "Passante ferroviario" is an underground railway serving a couple of "S" lines and is very much like another subway line (and is even marked as such on subway maps), except that it is connected to the FNME and Trenitalia suburban networks. TaxisMilan has an efficient Taxi service, operated by private companies and licensed by the City of Milan (Comune di Milano). All taxis are the same color: white. Prices are based on time elapsed and distance traveled. SportsFootball is the most important sport in Italy, and Milan is home to 2 world-famous football teams: A.C. Milan and Internazionale. Milan is the only city in Europe whose teams have won both the European Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. Both teams play at Giuseppe Meazza - San Siro Stadium (85,700). Many of the strongest Italian football players were born in Milan, in the surrounding metropolitan area, or in Lombardy: Valentino Mazzola, Renzo De Vecchi, Paolo Maldini, Giuseppe Meazza, Giacinto Facchetti, Gianni Rivera, Paolo Rossi, Luigi Riva, Gaetano Scirea, Giuseppe Bergomi, Walter Zenga, Antonio Cabrini, Roberto Donadoni, Gianluca Vialli, Silvio Piola, Virginio Rosetta, Giampiero Boniperti, Giuseppe Dossena, Gabriele Oriali, Giuseppe Signori, Ugo Locatelli, Giampiero Marini, Aristide Guarneri, Paolino Pulici, Marcello Lippi, Giovanni Trapattoni, Franco e Giuseppe Baresi, Luigi Cevenini, Virgilio e Giuseppe Fossati, Giovanni Ferrari...
Milan and Lombardy are candidates for the Summer Olympic Games of 2016 (Milan-Lombardy 2016). Stadia
Communication & mediaNewspapers
Magazines
TV and radio
Sister citiesMilan has 14 sister cities:
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Milan has 14 sister cities:. It also has the legend Por la razón o la fuerza (By right or might or By reason or by force). Both teams play at Giuseppe Meazza - San Siro Stadium (85,700). His three highly individualistic homes, located in Isla Negra, Santiago and Valparaiso are popular tourist destinations. Milan is the only city in Europe whose teams have won both the European Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. Chile's most famous poet, however, is Pablo Neruda, who also won the Nobel Prize and is world-renowned for his extensive library of works on romance, nature, and politics. Milan and Internazionale. Gabriela Mistral, was the first Chilean to win a Nobel Prize for literature. Football is the most important sport in Italy, and Milan is home to 2 world-famous football teams: A.C. Chileans call their country País de Poetas which means land of poets. Prices are based on time elapsed and distance traveled. In the mid-1960s native musical forms were revitalized by the Parra family with the Nueva Canción Chilena, which was associated with political activists and reformers. All taxis are the same color: white. Arising from music imported by the Spanish colonists, it is distinguished from the cueca by an intermediate melodic section and a more prominent melody. Milan has an efficient Taxi service, operated by private companies and licensed by the City of Milan (Comune di Milano). Another form of traditional Chilean song, though not a dance, is the tonada. The "Passante ferroviario" is an underground railway serving a couple of "S" lines and is very much like another subway line (and is even marked as such on subway maps), except that it is connected to the FNME and Trenitalia suburban networks. The national dance is the cueca. The Regional Railway Service ( "R"), instead, links Milan with the rest of Lombardy and the national railway system. Other European influences, primarily English and French, began in the 19th century and have continued until today, as in other Western societies. The Suburban Railway Service ( "S" Lines, a service similar to the French RER and German S-Bahn), composed of 8 suburban lines and 10 more scheduled for 2008, connects the "Greater Milan" to cities such as Como and Varese. Afterwards, their culture was dominated by the Spanish during the Colonial and early Republican period. At the end of the work, the TAV station for Milan to the east will be:. Northern Chile was an important center of culture in the medieval and early modern Inca empire. A line from Milan to Venice and then to Trieste is under construction. About 85% of Chile's population lives in urban areas, with 40% of the country's population living in Greater Santiago (6.5 million people). The stations for the TAV (Treni ad Alta Velocità - High Speed Trains) will be:. Most retained their traditions, cultures and national affiliations by maintaining close-knit communities - although many also mixed into the majority - while at the same time co-existed peacefully with the host population. High speed train lines are under contruction all across Italy, and new lines will open from Milan to Rome and Naples, and from Milan to Torino. Although the combined number of immigrants never comprised a large segment of the population, they nevertheless contributed greatly to Chilean society and the development of the nation. Three new stations for passenger service are under construction:. In the last decade there has been an influx of Koreans who settled in small sections of Santiago. Milan is one of the most important railway hubs of Italy, and the 5 major stations of Milan are among Italy's busiest:. There are also people from Middle Eastern and North African backgrounds, including the second largest Palestinian colony outside of the Middle East. The local transportation authority (ATM) transported more than 600 million passengers in 2003 . Other historically significant immigrant groups include people of Italian ancestry (Valparaíso Region), Croatian (Antofagasta and Punta Arenas), French, and Polish backgrounds. 93 bus lines cover over 1,070 km between them. A government-sponsored immigration from Germany began in 1848, and in time, changed the cultural makeup of the southern provinces of Valdivia, Llanquihue, and Osorno, which still show a strong German influence. Greater Milan also has one of the most extensive tramway systems in the world, with more than 286 km of track, and 20 lines. They include an influential number of descendants of Irish immigrants which arrived in Chile during the Spanish colonial period and descendants of English immigrants, arrived during and after independence (mainly merchants and sailors). Lines 4 (linking downtown with Linate Airport) and 6 are in planning stages. Chileans descended from non-Spanish European immigrants are numerous. Line 5 is also under construction, to be finished in the first half of 2008. However, Argentina's eventual economic collapse in 2001 caused such an escalation in their migratory influx into Chile, that by 2005 Argentinians comprised the largest immigrant group, outnumbering Peruvians. Extensions of lines 1, 2 and 3 are under construction, to create more than 15 km of track with 10 new stations. Peruvians have historically constituted the largest immigrant group of the country. Raffaele Hospital with the Cascina Gobba station (M2). Throughout much of Chile's modern history there has been a slow but steady work related trans-Andean migration to Chile - primarily from Peru and Bolivia - due mostly to the economic situation of its neighbours. Raffaele", connecting the S. There are also around 5,000 polynesian people who are indigenous to the Chilean territory of Easter Island (Rapanui) in the Pacific. There is also a light metro-service, "Metrò S. Aymara and Quechua-speaking populations live along the northern border with Peru and Bolivia. Milan has 3 subway lines (M1 - red, M2 - green, M3 - yellow) and the system, called Milan Metro - "M", running for more than 80 km. Of that 700,000, around 80% are Mapuche that reside mainly in the south-central area of the country. The main 3 airports of Milano (Malpensa, Linate and Orio) comprise the largest and most important hub in Italy, both for passengers and cargo. People that self-identify solely as members of any of the country's many indigenous groups number around 700,000 individuals, or 5% of the country's total population. Vergiate, Bresso, and Parma are further airports in the region. Those of unmixed European ancestry are estimated in ten percent of the population. A third airport is Orio al Serio (BGY), close to the city of Bergamo. People of relatively unmixed Spanish ancestry are not uncommon. Babila). The combination of an economy based on temperate-zone agriculture, Amerindian resistance to Spanish occupation, and a continuous influx of Spaniards from the mid-sixteenth century to the end of the colonial period defined the main body of Chile's mestizo majority population to one where the average Spanish input is greater than in neighbouring Andean mestizo populations. Milan also has the Linate Airport (LIN) within the city limits (for European and domestic traffic), connected with bus line 73 (from S. Many of these ended up settling in Chile. Malpensa was designed by the famous Ettore Sottsass. Spaniards arrived from all regions of Spain, including Andalucia, Extremadura, and the Basque country. The city has a large international airport known as Malpensa International Airport (MXP), located in the northern suburb of Busto Ariszio and connected to the downtown with the "Malpensa Express" railway service (from Cadorna Station). During the colonial period, Spain found it necessary to maintain a continual influx of soldiers to protect its distant American colonies. In the church Santa Maria delle Grazie can be found one of the most famous paintings of Leonardo da Vinci: The Last Supper (it: "Cenacolo"). Around 95% of Chileans descend from early Spanish colonists, with the overwhelming part also possessing Native American ancestry in varying degrees - thus deeming the population majority as mestizo. The city is also the home of the Brera Academy of Fine Arts. Unlike some of its South American neighbours, Chile is a relatively homogenous country. The Biblioteca Ambrosiana contains drawings and notebooks by Leonardo da Vinci among its vast holdings of books, manuscripts, and drawings, and is one of the main repositories of European culture. Chile has a population of 16,136,137 people (June 2005, Estimated). Milan is one of the most important centres in the world for Opera lirica, with its famous Teatro alla Scala (La Scala, theatre). The two countries maintain consular relations. Cities in the 'World City Network'" (Key Findings, Full Report). Chile and Bolivia severed diplomatic ties in 1978 over Bolivia's desire to reacquire territory it lost to Chile in 1879-83 War of the Pacific. Lang of the Brookings Institution in the economic report "U.S. It settled its territorial disputes with Argentina during the 1990s. Taylor and Robert E. The Chilean Government has diplomatic relations with most countries. Milan was included in a list of ten "Alpha world cities" by Peter J. An associate member of Mercosur and a full member of APEC, Chile and has been an important actor on international economic issues and hemispheric free trade. This new fairground, in the north-western suburb of Pero and Rho (opened in April 2005), is Europe's largest open construction project, making Fiera Milano the largest trade fair complex in the world. Chile hosted the Community of Democracies ministerial in April 2005. Fiera Milano, the city's Exhibition Center and Trade Fair complex, is one of the most important in the world. Chile hosted the Defense Ministerial of the Americas in 2002 and the APEC summit and related meetings in 2004. Milan is the centre of much finance, the seat of the Italian Stock Exchange (la Borsa Valori) and its hinterland is an avant-garde industrial area. Chile is an active member of the UN family of agencies and participates in UN peacekeeping activities. The city is 85% Italian, 4% from other EU countries, and the remainder include Romanian, Egyptian, Filipino, Sri Lankan, Chinese, and Albanian. Chile completed a 2-year non-permanent position on the UN Security Council in January 2005. A small percentage comes from Latin America. Since its return to democracy in 1990, Chile has been an active participant in the international political arena. Many immigrants come from Asian and North African nations. Although not a de-facto mandate in it's mission, the Policia de Investigaciones keeps an eye on the Carabineros in order to weed out corruption, Carabineros reciprocates the duty and both institutions have exposed corrupt officials within their counterpart. Milan is a very diverse city, being the second largest city in Italy, but it is the most industrial and main financial centre of the country. In addition to investigating crimes, the Policia de Investigaciones also complements the functions Carabineros in times of civil unrest, and is in charge of all immigration procedures. See also: Rulers of Milan. Mr Arturo Herrera heads the Policia de Investigaciones. After the war, the city was reconstructed and has again become an important financial and industrial centre of Italy. It is a special arm of the Public Ministry whose main task is to investigate crimes and apprehend the suspects once firm evidence has been established. When war in Italy was finally over, April 25, 1945, Milan was heavily damaged and entire neighborhoods such as Precotto and Turro were destroyed. In addition to the Carabineros, who are part of the military, Chile also has the Policia de Investigaciones, a police force composed of civilians which is similar in purpose to the FBI. In fact, Milan was part of Mussolini's Italian Social Republic puppet state, and an important command centre of the German Army stationed in Italy. Alberto Cienfuegos is the head of the national police force of 30,000 men and women who are responsible for law enforcement, traffic management, narcotics suppression, border control and counter-terrorism throughout Chile. The city was bombed even after Pietro Badoglio surrendered to the allied forces in 1943. Gen. As a critical industrial center of Italy, Milan was target of continuous carpet bombing during World War II. With the return of democratic government, the Carabineros were placed under the operational control of the Interior Ministry but remained under the nominal control of the Defense Ministry. In 1859 (after the second of the Wars of Italian Independence) Austrian rule was ended by the Kingdom of Sardinia (which transformed into the kingdom of Italy in 1861). After the military coup in September 1973, the Chilean national police (Carabineros) were incorporated into the Defense Ministry. Milan eventually became one of the main centers of Italian nationalism, claiming independence and the unification of Italy. F-16 aircraft in 2006, and a contract for 18 used F-16 more has been signed with Holland. After this period, Milan was part of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia under Austrian rule. The FACH will begin taking delivery of 10 U.S. But the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars saw the city annexed into the French satellite states of the Cisalpine Republic, which later became the Kingdom of Italy. The Air Force also operates an airbase on King George Island, Antarctica. In the 18th century Austria replaced Spain as Milan's overlord, because the Spanish line of Habsburgs died out. Air assets are distributed among five air brigades headquartered in Iquique, Antofagasta, Santiago, Puerto Montt, and Punta Arenas. After trying to conquer the rest of northern Italy in the 15th century, Milan was conquered by France, and then later on by Austria (Habsburg), then given in the early 16th century to the Spanish Habsburg line to rule. Osvaldo Sarabia heads a force of 12,500. During the Renaissance Milan was ruled by dukes of the Visconti and Sforza families, who had artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante at their service. Gen. During the Plague of 1349 Milan was one of the few places in Europe that was untouched by the epidemic, but it was deeply affected by the plagues of 1402 (50,000 deaths), 1542 (80,000), 1576 (17,000) and 1629 (also known as Great Plague of Milan, 70,000 deaths). Pendant of delivery one new Scorpene class SSK and up to 4 ex-dutch Fokker F-27 MPA. In the 11th century, after the Ostrogothic and Lombard periods, the city regained its importance and led other Italian cities in gaining semi-independence from the Holy Roman Empire. Currently, the Navy will replace almost all the surface ships with 4 ex-dutch ships(2 Karel Doorman multi-role and 2 Jacob Van Heemskerck air defence frigates) and 3 ex-british ships (Type 23 ASW frigates). His feast day is the 7th of Decmeber. The Navy also operates three submarines based in Talcahuano. St Ambrose is now the Patron Saint of the city. The Navy operates its own aircraft for transport and patrol; there are no Navy fighter or bomber aircraft. At that time Milan was the second largest city in Europe, with more than 300,000 inhabitants. Those ships are based in Valparaíso. In the 4th century CE, at the time of the bishop Saint Ambrose and emperor Theodosius I, the city was briefly the capital of the Western Roman Empire. Of the fleet of 29 surface vessels, only six are operational major combatants (destroyers and frigates) due to be replaced with 8 2nd hand frigates in the 2006-2008 period. It is presumed Milan was originally founded by the Celts of Northern Italy around 600 BCE and was conquered around 222 BCE by the Romans, who gave it the name of Mediolanum. Rodolfo Codina Díaz directs the 25,000-person Navy, including 5,000 Marines. . Adm. Inhabitants of Milan are referred to as "Milanesi" and nicknamed "Meneghini". It also operates Leopard I and AMX-30 main battle tanks. Milan is also famous for the Alfa Romeo motorcar and for its silk production. The Chilean Army is 45,000 strong and is organized with an Army headquarters in Santiago, seven divisions throughout its territory, an Air Brigade in Rancagua, and a Special Forces Command in Colina. Another famed product of the city is the traditional Christmas sweet cake called Panettone. Juan Emilio Cheyre. Indeed the English word milliner is derived from the name of the city. Gen. Milan is one of the world capitals of fashion, like New York City, Paris, London and Rome, and design. The commander in chief of the Chilean Army is Maj. The town is famous for fashion firms and shops (via Montenapoleone) and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele on the Piazza Duomo, reputed to be the world's oldest shopping mall. However, reforms made in 2005 to the Constitution now give the President the right to remove the Commanders in Chief of the Armed Forces. The province comprises 188 communes, ranging in population (2001) from Milan Municipality (1,308,311) to Nosate (638); the city of Milan has lost 113,084 inhabitants (8.3 percent), from 1991 to 2001. Under the 1980 Constitution, the services enjoyed considerable autonomy, and the President could not remove service commanders on his own authority. Its province lies in the western part of Lombardy; it covers an area of 1,982 km2 and has a population of 3,839,818 (2004); in 1991, the population was 3,738,685. Chile's Armed Forces are subject to civilian control exercised by the President through the Minister of Defense. It comes from the Celtic Mid-lan (meaning "in the middle of the plain") and was known as Mediolanum by the Romans. The combined public and private foreign debt was roughly over 50% of GDP at the end of 2004—low by Latin American standards. Milan's name has for many centuries been recorded as Mailand, which is still the German name of the city today. The government is paying off its foreign debt. The metropolitan area, called the Città Regione (The City Region) claims more than 9.4 million inhabitants (this is an ambitious definition of Milan's metropolitan area, perhaps not very comparable with figures claimed for metros outside Italy). Nearly all of the funds raised go to finance investment. The city proper has about 1,308,311 inhabitants (2004), but the population of the urban area including the hinterland is about 4 million and is called La Grande Milano (Greater Milan, 1,981 square kilometres). markets through American Depository Receipts (ADR's). Milan (Italian: Milano; Milanese dialect: Milán) is the main city in northern Italy, and is located in the plains of Lombardy, the most populated and developed region in Italy. There are three main ways Chilean firms raise funds abroad: bank loans, bond issue, and the selling of stock on U.S. Thessaloniki, Greece. The introduction of these new products has been accompanied by increased use of traditional instruments such as loans and credit cards. Tel Aviv, Israel. Chileans have enjoyed the recent introduction of new financial tools such as home equity loans, currency futures and options, factoring, leasing, and debit cards. Tianjin, China. The Chilean government implemented a further liberalization of capital markets in 2001. Shanghai, China. Chile's financial sector has grown faster than other areas of the economy over the last few years; a banking reform law approved in 1997 broadened the scope of permissible foreign activity for Chilean banks. São Paulo, Brazil. Currently it is negotiating with African nations. Saint Petersburg, Russia. Chile also has signed trade agreements with China, as well as a four-party agreement with Singapore, New Zealand and Brunei (P4). Osaka, Japan. Chile is a strong proponent of pressing ahead on negotiations for a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Melbourne, Australia. The U.S.-Chile FTA entered into force January 1, 2004 following approval by the U.S and Chilean congresses. Lyon, France. The agreement will lead to completely duty free bilateral trade within 12 years. Frankfurt am Main, Germany. After two years of negotiations, the United States and Chile signed an agreement in June 2003. Dakar, Senegal. Continuing its export-oriented development strategy, Chile completed landmark free trade agreements in 2002 with the European Union and South Korea. Krakow, Poland. Chile, a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) organization, is seeking to boost commercial ties to Asian markets. Chicago, Illinois, United States. An association agreement with Mercosur--Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay--went into effect in October 1996. Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Chile also concluded preferential trade agreements with Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. Birmingham, Great Britain, Birmingham's Partner City page. During the 1990s, Chile signed FTAs with Canada, Mexico, and Central America. Bethlehem, Palestine. Successive Chilean governments have actively pursued liberalizing trade agreements. Radio 24. Chile will have to phase out the price bands within 12 years under the terms of the U.S.-Chile FTA. Radio 105. The price bands were ruled inconsistent with Chile's WTO obligations in 2002 and the government has introduced legislation to modify them. R101. Higher effective tariffs are charged only on imports of wheat, wheat flour, and sugar as a result of a system of import price bands. Radio Deejay (National Hdq). Chile unilaterally lowered its across-the-board import tariff for all countries with which it does not have a trade agreement to 6% in 2003. Sky Italia (National Hdq). As a bloc, the European Union (EU) in 2004 supplied 16.3% of Chile's imports, while Argentina contributed 16%. MTV (South-Europe Hdq). The United States represented 14.6% of Chilean imports in 2004. RAI (Milan Regional Hdq). Capital goods made up about 66% of total imports. Mediaset (National Hdq). Chilean imports increased 30% in 2004, to $23 billion, reflecting a positive change in consumer demand and economic recovery. Focus (monthly). Asia has been the fastest-growing export market in recent years. Explora (monthly). The U.S., the largest national market, takes in 17.3% of Chile's exports. AnnaBella (weekly). Chile's export markets are fairly balanced among Europe (25.1%), Asia (33.1%), Latin America (15.7%), and North America (19%). Marie Claire (weekly). Total exports in 2004 were $32 billion, a 52.1% increase from $20.4 billion in 2003. Oggi (weekly). The trade balance for 2004 showed a historic surplus $9 billion, considerably higher than 2003. TV Sorrisi & Canzoni (weekly). The most important non-mineral exports are forestry and wood products, fresh fruit and processed food, fishmeal and seafood, and wine. La Settimana Enigmistica (weekly). In 1975, non-mineral exports made up just over 30% of total exports, whereas now they account for about 60%. Panorama (weekly). Nontraditional exports have grown faster than those of copper and other minerals. Metro (daily). Chile has traditionally been dependent upon copper exports; the state-owned firm Codelco is the world's largest copper-producing company. La Gazzetta dello Sport (daily, sports only). In 2004, exports accounted for about 34% of GDP. La Padania (daily). Chile's economy is highly dependent on international trade. Milano Finanza (daily). The U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement offers a number of other investor protections. Il Sole 24 Ore (daily). Registration is simple and transparent, and foreign investors are guaranteed access to the official foreign exchange market to repatriate their profits and capital. Libero (daily). Chile's welcoming attitude toward foreign direct investment is codified in the country's Foreign Investment Law, which gives foreign investors the same treatment as Chileans. Il Giornale (daily). The government also has encouraged the use of Chile as an "investment platform" for multinational corporations planning to invest in the region. Il Giorno (daily). The Chilean Government committed, in early 2002, to undertake a series of microeconomic reforms designed to create new incentives for private investment. Corriere della Sera (daily). Both foreign and domestic investment in Chile had declined during the country’s period of slower economic growth from 1999-2003, but appear to be recovering strongly. Nuovo Giuriati - Rugby - 4,000. Total foreign direct investment rose to $7.1 billion in 2004, up from $2.5 billion in 2003. Agorà - Ice Hockey - 4,000. Under the compulsory private pension system, most formal sector employees pay 10% of their salaries into privately managed funds. PalaLido - Basket - 5,000. Most wage settlements and spending decisions are indexed, reducing inflation's volatility. Velodromo Vigorelli - Cycling, American Football - 12,000. Chile registered inflation of 2.4% in 2004 and is expected to see a 3% increase in 2005 and 2006, due gas-price factor. MazdaPalace - Basket, Volley - 13,500. Inflation has not exceeded 5% since 1998. Forum di Assago - Basket, Ice Hockey, Volley, Music - 13,000 to 16,000. Chile's independent Central Bank pursues a policy of maintaining inflation between 2% and 4%. Ippodromo del Galoppo - Horse Racing - 15,000. The share of Chileans with incomes below the poverty line--defined as twice the cost of satisfying a person's minimal nutritional needs--fell from 46% of the population in 1987 to 18.8% in 2003. Ippodromo del Trotter - Horse Racing - 16,000. Wages have risen faster than inflation as a result of higher productivity, boosting national living standards. Brianteo - Athletic, Football - 18,568. Unemployment remained at 8.8% at the end of 2004 in spite of strong economic growth. Arena Civica - Athletic, Rugby, Football, 30,000. Unemployment has hovered in the 8%-10% range in recent years, well above the 5%-6% average for the 1990s. San Siro - only football - 85,700. The privatized national pension system has encouraged domestic investment and contributed to an estimated total domestic savings rate of approximately 21% of GDP in 2003. Autodromo Nazionale Monza - car and motorcycle racing - 137,000. High domestic savings and investment rates also helped propel Chile's economy to average growth rates of 8% during the 1990s. Past winners include Tacchini, Kodes, Panatta, Barazzutti, Moreno, Borg, Smid, Lendl, Forget, Curier, Ivanisevic, Kafelnikov, and Coira. Chile has signed Free Trade agreements (FTAs) with several important economies, including an FTA with the United States, which was signed in 2003 and implemented in January 2004. The central court has a capacity of 8000. Chile is strongly committed to free trade and has welcomed large amounts of foreign investment. It is the most important youth tournament in the world, and is played at the Milan Tennis Club. The government's role in the economy is mostly limited to regulation, although the state continues to operate copper giant Codelco and a few other enterprises. Every year, Milan hosts the Bonfiglio Trophy Under 18 Tennis Tournament. The 1973-90 military government sold many state-owned companies, and the three democratic governments since 1990 have continued privatization at a slower pace. They play at the Agora Stadium (capacity 4,500) during the regular season, and at the Forum during playoffs . Chile has pursued generally sound economic policies for nearly three decades. The Vipers Milano have won the last 4 national championships, the Alpenliga and several Coppa Italia, and are the leaders of that sport in Italy. The high degree of governability, the absence of corruption for Latin Standards, the high level of consumer and business confidence on the Chilean stability and the broad network of free trade agreements with most of the First World are the great bases for the Chile's the macroeconomic situation. Different ice hockey teams from Milan have won 30 National Championships between them. The Chile's real GDP per capita has risen in two years from $4,568 in 2003 to $7,300 US dollars in 2005 -the highest in Latin America- although a sharp income inequality persists -among the world's top-10 countries- extreme poverty rates less than 18%. The Amatory Rugby Club Milano have won 18 National Championships and are the most famous and important Rugby team in Italy. The Chilean economy finished 2004 and 2005 with growth of 6.1% and a similar economic growth ( 6.3%)is forecasted for 2006. Olimpia play at the Forum (capacity 14,000). The economy remained sluggish until 2003, when it began to show clear signs of recovery, achieving 3.3% real GDP growth. It is the most important Italian team and one of the top 5 in Europe. After a decade of impressive growth rates, Chile experienced a moderate downturn in 1999 brought on by the global economic slowdown. Olimpia Milano is a successful European basketball team that have won 3 European Cups, a World Cup, 3 Winners' Cups, 2 Korac Cups and 25 National Championships. Also controlled but uninhabited are the small islands of Sala y Gomez, San Ambrosio and San Felix, these islands are notable because they extend Chile's claim to territorial waters out from its coast into the Pacific. The capacity for the F1 races is around 137,000 spectators. Chile controls Easter and Sala-y-Gómez Islands, the easternmost islands of Polynesia, which it incorporated to its territory in 1888, and Robinson Crusoe Island, more than 600 km from the mainland, in the Juan Fernández archipelago. It one of the world's oldest car racing circuits, and one of the most famous. Chile is the longest (N-S) country in the world (over 4,200km), and also claims a large section of Antarctica as part of its territory. The famous Monza Formula One circuit is located in the suburbs. The Andes Mountains are located on the eastern border. Milano Pioltello. The southern coast is a labyrinth of fjords, inlets, canals, twisting peninsulas, and islands. Milano Certosa and Milano/Rho Fiera (for the west). Southern Chile is rich in forests and grazing lands and features a string of volcanoes and lakes. Milano Rogoredo (for the south). This area also is the historical center from which Chile expanded in the late 19th century, when it integrated the northern and southern regions. Milano/Rho Fiera. The relatively small Central Valley, which includes Santiago, dominates the country in terms of population and agricultural resources. Milano Tibaldi. The northern Atacama desert contains great mineral wealth, primarily copper and nitrates. Milano Romolo. Chile stretches over 4,630 km (2,880 miles) north to south, but only 430 km (265 mi) at its widest point east to west. Milano Smistamento/Scalo Farini (cargo-trains). A long and narrow coastal Southern Cone country on the west side of the Andes Mountains. Milano Certosa (passenger station). There is speculation that the numeral system will be dropped in favor of their formal names. Milano Porta Romana (passenger and cargo station). Being designated by numerals 14 and 15, both break the geographical numerical order from north to south. Milano San Cristoforo (passenger and cargo station). In 2005, the Chilean congress passed a reform to create two new regions, one in the north, around the city of Arica, and one in the South centered around Valdivia (aka Region of the Rivers). Milano Greco (passenger station). The only exception is the region where Santiago is situated, which is designated RM, that stands for Región Metropolitana, Metropolitan Region. Milano Rogoredo (passenger station and cargo station). In general, the Roman numeral is used, rather than the name. Milano Lambrate (passenger station). Each region has traditionally been designated by a name and a Roman numeral, assigned from North to South. Milano P.ta Garibaldi (passenger station). This has being a main problem due to the big size of capital city (over 5.5 millions people) that retains most of those taxes. Milano Centrale (passenger station - the second busiest Italian station). However all tax incomes from regions goes to central government in Santiago where the final destination of the money not necesseraly returns to the regions. I.S.E.F. Finally each province is divided into various Comunas each with its own mayor, elected by their inhabitants. Istituto Europeo di Design. Every region is further divided into provinces with a Gobernador Provincial, also appointed by Santiago. Verdi" di Milano. Chile was divided into 13 regions in 1975, each of which is headed by an intendente appointed by the President. Conservatorio Superiore "G. The reform replaced inquisitorial proceedings with an adversarial system more similar to that of the United States. Accademia delle Belle Arti di Brera. Chile completed in mid-2005 a multi-year overhaul of its criminal justice system. Beato Angelico. Chile's judiciary is independent and includes a network of courts of appeals, a system of military courts, a constitutional tribunal, and the Supreme Court of Chile. L.U.C. Michelle Bachelet, a Socialist moderate, was elected President on January 15, 2006, beating her closest rival Sebastián Piñera. Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele. (See Chilean presidential election, 2005.). Università C.Cattaneo L.I.U.C. In 2005, both leading parties, the Christian Democrats and the UDI lost representation in favor of their allies Socialist Party (which became the biggest party in the Concertación block) and National Renewal in the right-wing alliance. Università I.U.L.M. The Communist Party again failed to gain any seats in the 2001 elections. Scuola Superiore di Direzione Aziendale - Bocconi. In the 2001 congressional elections, the conservative Independent Democratic Union surpassed the Christian Democrats for the first time to become the largest party in the lower house. Università Bocconi. Only if the leading coalition ticket out-polls the second-place coalition by a margin of more than 2-to-1 does the winning coalition gain both seats. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Typically, the two largest coalitions split the seats in a district. Università Statale Milano-Bicocca. Each coalition can run two candidates for the two Senate and two lower chamber seats apportioned to each chamber's electoral districts. Università Statale. Chile's congressional elections are governed by a unique binomial system that rewards coalition slates. Politecnico di Milano. The Congress is located in the port city of Valparaíso, about 140 kilometers (84 mi.) west of the capital, Santiago. Verdi. Currently 4 Deputies have their voting rights suspended on legal grounds. Teatro Studio. The current lower house—the Chamber of Deputies—contains 60 members of the governing center-left coalition and 56 from the center-right opposition. Franco Parenti. (Chile's Constitution provided that former presidents who have served at least 6 years shall be entitled to a lifetime senate seat.) The last congressional elections were held in December 2001. Porta Romana. Nine institutional senators were appointed in 1999, and two "senators for life," former President Pinochet (who resigned in 2002) and Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle. L'Elfo. The current Senate is evenly split 24-24 between pro-government and opposition Senators. Out Off. Senators serve for 8 years with staggered terms. Olmetto. Deputies are elected every 4 years. Litta. Chile's bicameral Congress has a 48-seat Senate—38 elected, 9 appointed, 1 for life—and a 120-member Chamber of Deputies. Filodrammatici. The President is currently elected by the people to a 4-year term, the term was reduced from 6 years in 2005 which was in turn reduced from 8 years in the original 1980 constitution. Della 14a. In 2005, after 3 democratic elections for presidential periods, over 50 reforms were approved, which eliminated the remaining undemocratic areas of the text, such as the existence of non-elected Senators (institutional senators, or senators for life) and the inability of the President to remove the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Ciak. However the following years, the new Constitution was amended to ease provisions for future amendments to the Constitution. Smeraldo. New elections were held in 1989 as was programmed, initiating a normal Democratic process. San Babila. Pinochet's was defeated in the 1988 plebiscite, but he kept the Army force commanding. Piccolo Teatro di Milano. If the plesbicite was not approved, free elections will be called the next year (1989) with new candidates for president as well a Congress. Nuovo Piccolo Teatro. Also the 1980 voting programmed another plebiscite for 1988 for approving a new 8 years period with Pinochet plus a Congress (replacing the Junta). Nuovo. The new constitution established an 8 years government lead by President Augusto Pinochet without a Congress, supported by an Army/Navy/Air/Police Forces Junta instead, that was confirmed along with the approval of the new constitution. Ventaglio Nazionale. It entered into force in March 1981, replacing the old one from 1925. Manzoni. Chile's Constitution was approved in a tightly controlled national plebiscite in September 1980, under the military government of Augusto Pinochet. CRT - Teatro dell'Arte. (see below). Teatro Carcano. Ms Bachelet will be sworn in for a 4-year term (one of the Constitution's reforms since old format was a 6 years period). Teatro Lirico. The other candidates were previous Alliance for Chile right-wing candidate Joaquin Lavin and Tomas Hirsch, the far left candidate. Piccolo teatro. She won the 2006 runoff election against central-right-wing candidate Sebastián Piñera after none of the 4 main candidates obtained the necesary 50% of the votes in the first round of voting. Arcimboldi. She is the first and so far the only woman president in the country's history. Teatro alla Scala. Ms Bachelet continues the center-left Coalition of Parties for Democracy government in their fourth term. Museo del Risorgimento. Chile's current president-elect is the former health and later defense minister Michelle Bachelet, daughter of Alberto Bachelet, an air force general who was captured and tortured in the military coup of 1973 and died shortly after. Museo di Storia Contemporanea. The last period of president Frei due to the economy disaster led to a lower popularity for the Concertacion block. Museo di Milano. He was sworn in March 11, 2000, for a 6-year term. Museo Archeologico. Ricardo Lagos Escobar of the Socialist Party led the Concertación coalition to a narrow victory, with 51.31% of the votes. Museo delle Arti Decorative. A presidential election was held on December 12, 1999, but none of the six candidates obtained a majority, which led to an unprecedented runoff election on January 16, 2000 between Ricardo Lagos and Joaquín Lavín of the rightist Alliance for Chile. Museo degli Strumenti Musicali. During his government Chile's economy had their best years, although bad managing during last year plus the fact of the Asian crisis in 1998 got the country involved in a very bad situation affecting mainly to the middle class and to the small-Mid-Sized Companies. Museo Bagatti Valsecchi. President Frei's administration was inaugurated in March 1994. Galleria Vinciana. In December 1993, Christian Democrat Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, the son of previous president Eduardo Frei Montalva, led the Concertación coalition to victory with an absolute majority of votes. Museo della Scienza e della Tecnica "Leonardo da Vinci". President Aylwin served from 1990 to 1994, that was considered a transition period. Museo di Storia Naturale. Christian Democrat Patricio Aylwin, the candidate of a coalition of 16 political parties called the Concertación, received an absolute majority of votes. Padiglione di Arte Contemporanea. Chileans elected a new president and the majority of members of a two-chamber congress on December 14, 1989. Museo Teatro alla Scala. In a plebiscite on October 5, 1988, General Pinochet was denied a second 8-year term as president. Palazzo Reale. During its nearly 17 years in power, Chile moved away from economic statism toward a largely free market economy that saw an increase in domestic and foreign private investment, although the copper industry and other important mineral resources were not returned to foreign ownership. Museo d’Arte Antica. The right-wing military government pursued decidedly laissez-faire economic policies. Museo della Preistoria e Protostoria. In the late 1980s, the regime gradually permitted greater freedom of assembly, speech, and association, to include trade union and limited political activity. Museo Poldi Pezzoli. A new Constitution was approved by a highly irregular and undemocratic plebiscite characterized by the absence of registration lists, on September 11, 1980, and General Pinochet became President of the Republic for an 8-year term. Museo Egizio. Some 30,000 were forced to flee the country. Castello Sforzesco. At least a thousand people were executed during the first six months of Pinochet in office, and at least two thousand more were killed during the next sixteen years, as reported by the Valech Report. Triennale di Milano. On October 1973, at least 70 persons were murdered by the Caravan of Death. Galleria d'Arte Moderna. The first years of the regime were marked by serious human rights violations. Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. A military government, led by General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte, took over control of the country. Pinacoteca di Brera. As the armed forces bombarded the presidential palace (Palacio de La Moneda), Allende reportedly committed suicide. Fuksas (in Rho-Pero). A military coup overthrew Allende on September 11, 1973. New Milan Fair Complex of M. The crippled economy was further battered by prolonged and sometimes simultaneous strikes by physicians, teachers, students, truck owners, copper workers, and the small business class. Pirelli Tower (seat of Lombardy Region and the highest italian skyscraper). By early 1973, inflation was out of control. Velasca Tower. Political polarization increased, and large mobilizations of both pro- and anti-government groups became frequent, often leading to clashes. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. By 1972, the economic progress of Allende's first year had been reversed and the economy was in crisis. Palazzo Serbelloni. Simultaneously, the CIA funded opposition media, politicians, and organizations, helping to accelerate a campaign of domestic destabilization. Central Station (the biggest Italian station). The Nixon administration brought international financial pressure to bear in order to restrict economic credit to Chile. Teatro alla Scala. and other foreign-owned companies led to increased tensions with the United States. Palazzo Reale. The nationalization of U.S. Palazzo della Ragione. The Indian Peoples Development Corporation and the Mapuche Vocational Institute were founded to address the needs of Chile's indigenous population. Ca' Granda (University of Milan). Other reforms undertaken during the early Allende period included redistribution of millions of hectares of land to landless agricultural workers as part of the agrarian reform program, giving the armed forces an overdue pay increase, and providing free milk to children. Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle). Industrial output increased sharply and unemployment fell during the Allende administration's first year. Duomo. Many enterprises within the copper, coal, iron, nitrate, and steel industries were expropriated, nationalized, or subjected to state intervention. "The Needle and the Yarn" in Piazza Cadorna. Much of the banking sector was nationalized. Leonardo da Vinci's Horse Statue at Hippodrome. Joint public-private public works projects helped reduce unemployment. Archi di Porta Nuova. Allende adopted measures including price freezes, wage increases, and tax reforms, which had the effect of increasing consumer spending and redistributing income downward. Roman amphitheatre (scant remains). Production fell and unemployment rose. Leonardo's monument in Piazza della Scala. An economic depression that began in 1967 peaked in 1970, exacerbated by capital flight, plummeting private investment, and withdrawal of bank deposits by those opposed to Allende's socialist program. San Carlo Borromeo in Piazza Borromeo. The Popular Unity platform also called for nationalization of foreign (U.S.) ownership of Chile's major copper mines. Oldrado da Trasseno del Palazzo della Ragione. Allende's program included advancement of workers' interests; a thoroughgoing implementation of agrarian reform; the reorganization of the national economy into socialized, mixed, and private sectors; a foreign policy of "international solidarity" and national independence; and a new institutional order (the "people's state" or "poder popular"), including the institution of a unicameral congress. Napoleone of Canova in Brera. Frei refused to form an alliance with Alessandri to oppose Allende, on the grounds that the Christian Democrats were a workers party and could not make common cause with the oligarchs. Monumento Cinque Giornate. Despite pressure from the government of the United States, the Chilean Congress, keeping with tradition, conducted a runoff vote between the leading candidates, Allende and former president Jorge Alessandri and chose Allende by a vote of 153 to 35. Mazzini's monument in Piazza della Repubblica. In 1970, Senator Salvador Allende Gossens, a Marxist physician and member of Chile's Socialist Party, who headed the "Popular Unity" (UP or "Unidad Popular") coalition of the Socialist, Communist, Radical, and Social-Democratic Parties, along with dissident Christian Democrats, the Popular Unitary Action Movement (MAPU), and the Independent Popular Action, won a plurality of votes in a three-way contest. Fontana del Piermarini in Piazza Fontana. At the end of his term, Frei had accomplished many noteworthy objectives, but he had not fully achieved his party's ambitious goals. Disc of Pomodoro. By 1967, however, Frei encountered increasing opposition from leftists, who charged that his reforms were inadequate, and from conservatives, who found them excessive. Colonne di San Lorenzo. Under the slogan "Revolution in Liberty," the Frei administration embarked on far-reaching social and economic programs, particularly in education, housing, and agrarian reform, including rural unionization of agricultural workers. Alessandro Manzoni in Piazza San Fedele. The 1964 presidential election of Christian Democrat Eduardo Frei Montalva by an absolute majority initiated a period of major reform. Santo Stefano Maggiore. Jorge Alessandri succeeded Ibáñez in 1958, bringing Chilean conservatism back into power democratically for another term. San Simpliciano. In 1952, voters returned Ibáñez, now reincarnated as a sort of Chilean Perón, to office for another 6 years. San Sebastiano. During the period of Radical Party dominance (1932-52), the state increased its role in the economy. Santa Maria presso San Satiro. It became the key force in coalition governments for the next 20 years. Basilica di San Nazaro Maggiore. When constitutional rule was restored in 1932, a strong middle-class party, the Radicals, emerged. Santa Maria del Carmine. By relinquishing power to a democratically elected successor, Ibáñez del Campo retained the respect of a large enough segment of the population to remain a viable politician for more than thirty years, in spite of the vague and shifting nature of his ideology. Santuario di Santa Maria dei Miracoli. The longest lasting of the ten governments between those years was that of General Carlos Ibáñez, who briefly held power in 1925 and then again between 1927 and 1931 in what was a de facto dictatorship, although not really comparable in harshness or corruption to the type of military dictatorship that has often bedeviled the rest of Latin America, and certainly not comparable to the violent and repressive regime of Augusto Pinochet decades later. San Marco. A military coup led by General Luis Altamirano in 1924 set off a period of great political instability that lasted until 1932. Basilica di San Lorenzo Pirelli Tower, Milan . In the 1920s, Marxist groups with strong popular support arose. Basilica di Sant'Eustorgio. Alessandri Palma's reformist tendencies were partly tempered later by an admiration for some elements of Mussolini's Italian Corporate State. San Bernardino alle Ossa. By the 1920s, the emerging middle and working classes were powerful enough to elect a reformist president, Arturo Alessandri Palma, whose program was frustrated by a conservative congress. San Babila. Hence the Chilean economy partially degenerated into a system protecting the interests of a ruling oligarchy. Santa Maria delle Grazie (with Leonardo's "Last Supper"). However, the Civil War had also been a contest between those who favored the development of local industries and powerful Chilean banking interests, particularly the House of Edwards who had strong ties to foreign investors. Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio. The Chilean Civil War in 1891 brought about a redistribution of power between the President and Congress, and Chile established a parliamentary style democracy. Sant'Alessandro. As a result of the War of the Pacific with Peru and Bolivia (1879-83), Chile expanded its territory northward by almost one-third, eliminating Bolivia's access to the Pacific, and acquired valuable nitrate deposits, the exploitation of which led to an era of national affluence. Duomo (Milan cathedral). In 1881, the government signed a treaty with Argentina confirming Chilean sovereignty over the Strait of Magellan. Aermacchi. Toward the end of the 19th century, the government in Santiago consolidated its position in the south by ruthlessly suppressing the Mapuche Indians, finally completing the conquest begun more than three centuries earlier. Mediobanca. The system of presidential absolutism eventually predominated, but wealthy landowners continued to control Chile. Banca Intesa. The political revolt brought little social change, however, and 19th century Chilean society preserved the essence of the stratified colonial social structure, which was greatly influenced by family politics and the Roman Catholic Church. Ferrovie Nord Milano. On February 12, 1818, Chile was proclaimed an independent republic under O'Higgins' leadership. Eni. Intermittent warfare continued until 1817, when an army led by Bernardo O'Higgins, Chile's most renowned patriot, and José de San Martín, hero of Argentine independence, crossed the Andes into Chile and defeated the royalists. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore. Spanish attempts to reimpose arbitrary rule during what was called the Reconquista led to a prolonged struggle. Giangiacomo Feltrinelli Editore. A movement for total independence soon won a wide following. Corriere della Sera/RCS. The junta proclaimed Chile an autonomous republic within the Spanish monarchy. Bugatti. A national junta in the name of Ferdinand—heir to the deposed king—was formed on September 18, 1810. Mediaset. The drive for independence from Spain was precipitated by usurpation of the Spanish throne by Napoleon's brother Joseph, in 1808. Motta. The abolition of slavery in 1683 defused tensions on the frontier between the colony and the Mapuche land to the south, and permitted increased trade between colonists and Mapuches. Alfa Romeo. Each time the Mapuche and other native groups revolted, the southern border of the colony was driven northward. Alemagna. Subsequent major insurrections took place in 1598 and in 1655. Fiera Milano. A massive Mapuche insurrection that began in 1553 resulted in Valdivia's death and the destruction of many of the colony's principal settlements. Telecom Italia. Conquest of the land that is today called Chile took place only gradually, and the Europeans suffered repeated setbacks at the hands of the local population. Pirelli. Although the Spanish did not find the extensive gold and silver they sought, they recognized the agricultural potential of Chile's central valley, and Chile became part of the Viceroyalty of Peru. Gianni Versace. The first permanent European settlement, Santiago, was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia, one of Francisco Pizarro's lieutenants. Prada. These cultures supported themselves principally through slash-and-burn agriculture and hunting. Dolce & Gabbana. The Spanish encountered hundreds of thousands of Indians from various cultures in the area that modern Chile now occupies. Giorgio Armani. The next Europeans to reach Chile were Diego de Almagro and his band of Spanish conquistadors, who came from Peru in 1535 seeking gold but were turned back by the local population. In 1520, while attempting to circumnavigate the earth, the Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan, discovered the southern passage now named after him, the Straits of Magellan. The Incas briefly extended their empire into what is now northern Chile, but the area's remoteness and the fierce opposition of the native population prevented extensive settlement. About 10,000 years ago, migrating Native Americans settled in fertile valleys and along the coast of what is now Chile. The Spanish conquistadors heard about this name from the Incas and the few survivors of Diego de Almagro's first Spanish expedition south from Peru in 1535-1536 called themselves the "men of Chilli.". Another theory points to the similarity of the valley of the Aconcagua with that of the Casma Valley Casma in Peru, where there was a town and valley named Chili. Other theories say Chile may derive its name from the indigenous Mapuche word chilli, which may mean "where the land ends" or "the deepest point of the Earth," or from the Aymara tchili meaning "snow"; another meaning attributed to chilli is the onomatopoeic cheele-cheele—the Mapuche imitation of a bird call. There are various theories about the origin of the word Chile. According to one theory the Incas of Peru, who had failed to conquer the Araucanians, called the valley of the Aconcagua "Chili" by corruption of the name of a tribal chief ("cacique") called Tili, who ruled the area at the time of the Incan conquest. . It borders with Argentina to the east, Bolivia to the northeast and Peru to the north. The Republic of Chile (Spanish: República de Chile (help·info), IPA [re'puβlika de tʄile]) is a country in South America occupying a long coastal strip between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The (CIA) World Factbook: Chile. Library of Congress country profile. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, United States Department of State, April 2005. Reporters without borders: Worldwide press freedom index 2005, ranked 50 out of 167 countries (fifth in Latin America after El Salvador, Costa Rica, Bolivia and Uruguay). Yale University/Columbia University: 2005 Environmental Sustainability Index, ranked 42 out of 146 countries (ninth in Latin America after Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Colombia and Panama). World Economic Forum: Global Information Technology Report 2004-2005 - Networked Readiness Index, ranked 35 out of 104 countries (first in Latin America). Kearney/Foreign Policy Magazine: Globalization Index 2005, ranked 34 out of 62 countries (second in Latin America after Panama). A.T. Transparency International: Corruption Perceptions Index 2005, ranked 21 out of 159 countries (tied with Japan) (first in Latin America). Save the Children: State of the World's Mothers 2005, ranked 17 out of 110 countries (tied with Argentina) (third in Latin America after Costa Rica and Cuba). Brown University: Fifth Annual Global E-Government Study (2005), ranked 13 out of 198 countries (first in Latin America). Freedom House: Freedom in the World 2005, average score: 1 (Free) (Costa Rica and Uruguay are the only two other Latin American countries with the highest score). World Bank: Where is the Wealth of Nations? (2005) - Total wealth per capita, ranked 32 out of 118 countries (fourth in Latin America after Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil). World Economic Forum: Global Competitiveness Report 2005-2006 - Growth Competitiveness Index, ranked 23 out of 117 countries (first in Latin America). Fraser Institute: Economic Freedom of the World: 2005 Annual Report, ranked 20 out of 127 countries (tied with Belgium, Costa Rica and Hungary) (first in Latin America). IMD International: World Competitiveness Yearbook 2005, ranked 19 out of 60 economies (countries and regions) (first in Latin America). Heritage Foundation/The Wall Street Journal: 2006 Index of Economic Freedom, ranked 14 (free) out of 157 countries (first in Latin America). UNDP: Human Development Index 2005, ranked 37 out of 177 countries (second in Latin America after Argentina). The Economist: The World in 2005 - Worldwide quality-of-life index, 2005, ranked 31 out of 111 countries (first in Latin America). Chilean wine. Chilean Spanish. Chilean pharmaceutical policy. intervention in Chile. U.S. Transportation in Chile. List of Chilean television channels. List of Chileans. List of Chilean companies. Holidays in Chile. Foreign relations of Chile. Elections in Chile. Communications in Chile. Chile Antarctic Geopolitics. |