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Chilean units of measurement

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

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

Length

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 = ​1⁄432 vara
  • 1 pulgada = ​1⁄36 vara
  • 1 pie = ​1⁄3 vara
  • 1 cuadra = 150 vara
  • 1 legua = 5400 vara

Mass

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 = ​1⁄9216 Libra
  • 1 adarme = ​1⁄256 libra
  • 1 sastellano = ​1⁄100 libra
  • 1 onza = ​1⁄16 libra
  • 1 arroba = 25 libra
  • 1 quintal = 100 libra

Capacity

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

Dry

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

Liquid

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

References

  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. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
  3. ^ Clarke, F.W. (1891). Weights Measures and Money of All Nations. New York: D. Appleton & Company. p. 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.