The Chilean Peso is the currency of Chile, managed by the Central Bank of Chile. It has been free-floating since 1999 and is considered one of Latin America's more stable currencies.
Economy
Chile is a member of Pacific Alliance, OECD, APEC, Mercosur (associate), UNASUR.
Main industries include: Copper, Lithium, Other minerals, Foodstuffs, Fish processing, Iron and steel, Wood and wood products, Transport equipment, Cement, Textiles.
The current peso was introduced in 1975, replacing the escudo at 1000:1. Chile has had various currency reforms throughout its history, often related to inflation control.
1975: Current peso introduced, replacing escudo (1000:1)
1982: Peso devaluation during debt crisis
1999: Adoption of free-floating exchange rate
2001: Inflation targeting regime adopted
2008: Global financial crisis impact
2019: Social unrest and economic uncertainty
Exchange rate peg: USD (1979-1982) crawling peg.
Exchange rate peg: Free floating (1999-present).
General Information
ISO 4217 Code: CLP
Symbols: CLP/$
Currency Subunits: 100 centavos
Central Bank: Central Bank of Chile
Monetary Policy: Inflation targeting with 3% target. Free-floating exchange rate with focus on domestic price stability.
USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 900-950 CLP per USD)
Pegged To: None (Floating)
Capital: Santiago
Population: 19,629,590 (2023 est.)
Area: 756,096 km²
Languages: Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English
Time Zones: UTC-4 (Continental), UTC-6 (Easter Island)
Government Type: Presidential republic
Head of Government: President (head of state and government)
Independence: September 18, 1810 (from Spain)
Ethnic Groups: White and non-indigenous 88.9%, Mapuche 9.1%, Aymara 0.7%, Other indigenous 1%, Other 0.3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Evangelical 18%, Other Christian 4%, Other 4%, None 13%, Unspecified 1%
Literacy Rate: 96.4% (2017 est.)
Transport: Good road network, modern airports (Santiago, Valparaíso), extensive coastline ports, limited rail
Communications: Advanced telecommunications, 90% internet penetration, comprehensive mobile coverage
Energy: Coal 28%, Hydroelectric 26%, Natural gas 16%, Solar 7%, Wind 7%, Other renewables 16%
Countries Using This Currency: Chile
Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of Chile (bcentral.cl), Economic Data: National Institute of Statistics Chile, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: National Customs Service, Demographic Data: National Institute of Statistics Chile, Geographic Data: Chilean Meteorological Directorate, Historical Data: Central Bank of Chile archives