Chile is a republic with executive, legislative and judicial branches. The executive branch consists of the president, and the legislative branch features a bicameral legislature composed of the High Assembly and the Chamber of Deputies. The judicial branch consists of the Constitutional Tribunal, the Supreme Court, the court of appeals and military courts.
Chile is divided into 15 numbered regions for administration. These regions are divided into provinces that are administered by appointed governors. The provinces are further divided into municipalities that are governed by elected mayors.
Army
The current commander-in-chief of the Chilean Army is General de EjércitoSr. Juan Miguel Fuentes-Alba Poblete. The 45,000- person army is organized in seven divisions and one air brigade. The army operates German Leopard 1 and 2 tanks as its main battle tanks. The recent purchase of 140 second-hand Leopard 2A4s from the German army is now being delivered.
Air Force
Gen. Ricardo Ortega Perrier heads 11,000 strong Chilean Air Force. Air assets are distributed among five air brigades headquartered in Iquique, Antofagasta, Santiago, Puerto Montt, and Punta Arenas. The Air Force also operates an airbase on King George Island, Antarctica.
Navy
Admiral Rodolfo Codina Diaz directs the 25,000-person Chilean Navy, including 4,800 Marines. Of the fleet of 66 surface vessels, eight are major combatant ships and they are based in Valparaiso. The navy operates its own aircraft for transport and patrol; there are no fighters or bomber aircraft but they have attack helicopters. The Navy also operates four submarines based in Talcahuano. under the control of the Incas in the north and the nomadic Araucanos in the south. In 1541, a Spaniard, Pedro de Valdivia, founded Santiago. Chile won its independence from Spain in 1818 under Bernardo O'Higgins and an Argentinian, José de San Martin. O'Higgins, dictator until 1823, laid the foundations of the modern state with a two-party system
Chile is divided into 15 numbered regions for administration. These regions are divided into provinces that are administered by appointed governors. The provinces are further divided into municipalities that are governed by elected mayors.
Army
The current commander-in-chief of the Chilean Army is General de EjércitoSr. Juan Miguel Fuentes-Alba Poblete. The 45,000- person army is organized in seven divisions and one air brigade. The army operates German Leopard 1 and 2 tanks as its main battle tanks. The recent purchase of 140 second-hand Leopard 2A4s from the German army is now being delivered.
Air Force
Gen. Ricardo Ortega Perrier heads 11,000 strong Chilean Air Force. Air assets are distributed among five air brigades headquartered in Iquique, Antofagasta, Santiago, Puerto Montt, and Punta Arenas. The Air Force also operates an airbase on King George Island, Antarctica.
Navy
Admiral Rodolfo Codina Diaz directs the 25,000-person Chilean Navy, including 4,800 Marines. Of the fleet of 66 surface vessels, eight are major combatant ships and they are based in Valparaiso. The navy operates its own aircraft for transport and patrol; there are no fighters or bomber aircraft but they have attack helicopters. The Navy also operates four submarines based in Talcahuano. under the control of the Incas in the north and the nomadic Araucanos in the south. In 1541, a Spaniard, Pedro de Valdivia, founded Santiago. Chile won its independence from Spain in 1818 under Bernardo O'Higgins and an Argentinian, José de San Martin. O'Higgins, dictator until 1823, laid the foundations of the modern state with a two-party system