The native inhabitants of Chile are a people called the Araucanos.
first discovered in 1520 by Portuguese explorer Magellen most of Chile was dominated.
by these people. This Native American tribe was known for their remarkable fighting .
ability's. Chile was discovered Pedro de Valdivia ,Diego de Almargo and Ferdinand .
Magellen . Magellen landed on the Chiloé Island following his voyage in 1520 through a .
strait which now bears his name . When Chile was discovered by Magellen it was called .
Tchili meaning "snow" . Pedro de Valdivia led a second expedition into southern Chile.
in 1540. Valdivia overcame the fierce resistance of the Araucanos and succeeded in .
establishing several settlements. These settlements included Santiago in 1541,Santiago is .
now the capital of Chile, Concepcion in 1550, and Valdivia in 1552. However only 3.
years after Vabliva set up his first settlement in Chile the Araucanians organized and in a.
successful uprising killed Valdivia and many of his followers leaving only Concepcion.
and La Serena. .
The monetary unit used in Chile is one that is used in so many different Hispanic.
countries, this monetary unit is called the Peso. The present governmental status of Chile.
is a Republican one. The executive branch of the Chilean government holds 3 branches .
which are chief of state, head of government and a cabinet. The chief of state and head of .
government role is played by the same person which is elected by popular vote for a six .
year term. The last election was held on December 12,1999 in which presiding president .
Ricardo Lagos Escobar won by only three percent of the votes against Joaquin Lavin.
The cabinet is appointed by the residing president for the length of his six year term.
The legislative branch is made up of a bicameral Congreso Nacional of Senado. This.
congress is made up of 48 seats. Trentayocho of the seats are elected by popular vote and.
the other 10 are appointed of former presidents that have served 6 years become senators.