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Chilean units of measurement

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A number of different units of measurement were used in Chile to measure quantities like length, mass, area, capacity, etc. From 1848, the metric system has been compulsory in Chile.[1][2]

Pre-metric units

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Spanish customary units were used before 1848.[1][3]

Length

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To measure length several units were used. Legally, one vara is equal to 0.836 m.[1] Some of the units and their legal values as follows:[1][4]

  • 1 línea = 1432 vara
  • 1 pulgada = 136 vara
  • 1 pie = 13 vara
  • 1 cuadra = 150 vara
  • 1 legua = 5400 vara

Mass

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Several units were used to measure mass. One libra is equal to 0.460093 kg. Some other units are given below:[1][4]

  • 1 grano = 19216 libra
  • 1 adarme = 1256 libra
  • 1 sastellano = 1100 libra
  • 1 onza = 116 libra
  • 1 arroba = 25 libra
  • 1 quintal = 100 libra

Capacity

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Mainly two systems, dry and liquid, were used to measure capacity in Chile.

Dry

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One almud was equal to 8.083 L.[1][4] 12 almud were equal to one fanega.[1][4]

Liquid

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One cuartillo was equal to 1.111 L.[1] 32 cuartillo were equal to one arroba.[1][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. New York: McGraw-Hil Book Company, Inc. p. 4.
  2. ^ Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. pp. 7. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
  3. ^ Clarke, F.W. (1891). Weights Measures and Money of All Nations. New York: D. Appleton & Company. pp. 23.
  4. ^ a b c d e Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. pp. 162, 163. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.