Chile

A long, thin strip of land running 2,200 miles from north to south, the country of Chile is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the highest peaks of the Andes Mountains. Never wider than 250 miles, Chile spans a variety of climates, from the Atacama Desert in the north to icy glaciers in the south. Most of the population lives in the fertile central zone where the climate is mild. Important mineral deposits, including copper -- Chile's main export -- are found in the north. The country's population is Hispanic and predominantly Roman Catholic.

Recent history has been turbulent. In 1973, the popularly supported government of President Allende, which had improved conditions for the poor, was overthrown. Under the dictatorship of General Pinochet, which lasted until 1990, human rights violations soared: 17,200 assassinations or "disappearances" and 155,000 political prisoners.

Today, in a fragile democracy, large sectors of the population live in poverty. Comparte, an organization that provides social assistance to disadvantaged craftspeople, markets products for a variety of artisan groups. In addition to conducting regional workshops, Comparte provides training, organizational assistance, and marketing and design services to artisan groups. Comparte also features their crafts in markets and commercial crafts stores.

Links to country facts and maps:
Lonely Planet