The world is full of countries of all different shapes and sizes, but when it comes to being the narrowest, Chile in South America takes the crown. The country, dubbed “The Ribbon Country” because of its unique shape, stretches for a whopping 2,600 miles along the western coast and has an average width of just 110 miles. Chile’s slenderness is the foundation of the country’s many incredible landscapes.
The terrain is home to deserts, jungles, mountains, you name it. The north is home to the famed Atacama Desert, which is the driest nonpolar desert in the world and the second driest overall. As the area has similarities to planet Mars’s environment, it has been used as an experimentation site for Mars expedition simulations.
There is a dramatic shift in the scenery towards the south of Chile. Patagonia is a southern region that features a section of the Andes Mountains, with lakes, fjords, and rainforests. The mountain range also breaks the record as the longest continental range in the world.
While the significant blend of landscapes makes Chile such a wonder to explore, the country’s challenging shape, as well as being located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, does have its disadvantages, from governance to natural disasters.
Around 80% of Chile’s land is mountainous, with the majority of the residents living in close proximity to the mountain ranges. The Andes alone include 620 volcanoes, many of which are active.
Many residents also struggle with the natural barriers some of the landscapes have created. The elongated shape can often make long-distance travel within the country costly.
It has also resulted in large economic disparities between different regions due to different levels of potential development and access to resources.
However, the country is making significant progress in economic development. The World Bank noted that the country “has a track record of sound macroeconomic policies and robust institutions,” which permitted Chile to “restore macroeconomic balance after the disruptions created by COVID-19 and its aftermath.”
Chile’s continuous progression ensures that the gorgeous landscapes remain a highlight of the country rather than a hindrance.