People
Mapuche teenagers playing palin in Puaucho island on Lake Budi (Southern Chile). Photograph of Elir Rojas, with his authorization.
Quick Facts
| Population | 16.432.000 (est. for 2006 based on 2002 census). |
| Annual Pop Growth Rate | 1.2% |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (69.9%) Protestant (15.14%) |
| Language | Spanish (Castellano) Mapudungun (Spoken by some Mapuche people) Rapa nui (Spoken on Easter Island) Aymara (Spoken in the north only). |
| Compulsory Education | 12 yrs |
| Literacy Rate | 95.8% |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 75.2 yrs |
Mapuche children performing ritual dances in Purringue (Southern Chile). Photograph: Elir Rojas, with his authorization.
The History of a People
Chile was the last country in South America to be conquered by the Spaniards
in the 16 th century. The struggle was long and intense owing to the distance
and isolation of the territory, and the fierce resistance of the indigenous
populations of Chile. With the conquest began a process of racial and cultural
mix which gave birth to the Chilean people.
Following the proclamation of independence, successive waves of immigration began, enriching the multicultural nature of the Chilean population. The second half of the 19 th century saw some people arrive from Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and -at the same time- from Spain, who were followed shortly after by Croats and Arabs (Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese). The Palestinian colony in Chile, numbering around 300,000 is the most numerous outside the Arab world.
Fleeing the pogroms, the first Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe settled in Valparaiso in the late 19 th century; they were followed by Sephardic Jews from lands under Turkish rule, and later by some European Jews escaping Nazi oppression.
Chinese and Japanese immigrants have also settled in various parts of the country and now number three generations in Chile. Over the past 20 years they have been joined by Korean and Taiwanese traders.
This history of immigration has enriched the population and contributed
to the cultural diversity of Chile .
Huilliche women of
Huetrapulli
weaving on her hand loom (Southern Chile). Photograph: Elir Rojas, with his authorization.
Development
Important social and cultural changes, brought about by considerable economic
development, are apparent in Chile and its people as demonstrated by the
latest Census, conducted in 2002 .
Women have joined the labour force in increasing numbers, improving their qualifications and autonomy. One out of every three households is headed by a woman. The Servicio Nacional de la Mujer (Sernam – The National Service for Women), whose director has ministerial rights, seeks to inform women about their rights, to consolidate their economic self-sufficiency, and to promote their participation in society.
Regarding family structure, married couples continue to be a substantial majority, representing 46.2% of adults. However, the percentage of separated persons has risen since 1992 to 4.7% as has the number of unmarried couples living together who now account for 8.9% of the adult population.
The labour force is composed of 5.8 million workers, of whom 65.1% are male. There is freedom of union membership which is hared by public officials; discrimination against union members is forbidden; and trade union organisations and other organisations are guaranteed full autonomy.
There are eight ethnic ethnic groups in Chile recognised under the Ley Indígena (Law on Indigenous Peoples) of 1993 including the Mapuche, Aimara, Atacameño, Quechua, Rapanui, Colla, Alacalufe and Yamana peoples. The Mapuche constitute 91% of the total indigenous population (they live in La Araucanía, Los Lagos and Santiago`s Metropolitan Region mainly), while Aimaras and Atacameños make up 7.0% and 3.0% respectively. Unlike other Latin American countries, most of Chile’s indigenous population live in urban areas.
Aymara girls from Enquelga (Northern Chile), Photograph: Elir Rojas, with his authorization.
Indigenous Peoples
In the latest Census, 4.6% of Chileans described themselves as
belonging to one of Chile ’s indigenous peoples. A number of policies
have been implemented since 1990 to socially integrate indigenous peoples,
promote their economic autonomy and provide them with formal labour market
education.
Soon after taking office, President Ricardo Lagos (2000-2006) created the Commission for Historic Truth and a New Deal to study the situation of Chile ’s indigenous peoples, and to design a state policy for them. The Commission, headed by former President Patricio Aylwin, delivered its report In October 2003.
More than 700 pages long, the report contains a detailed historical analysis of the relationship between Chile ’s indigenous peoples and the State, before going on to suggest specific measures and programs for each of the different peoples, and to make proposals and recommendations about how to respond to their concerns and demands
The Commission’s major proposals include the development of their cultural identities and the preservation of their customs and traditions, incentives for education managed by each group, and by maintenance of the State’s inter-cultural education programs. In addition, it recommends that society and institutions recognise the economic, social, cultural and religious practices of indigenous peoples.
The state has responded to indigenous claims on ancestral lands by purchasing lands under dispute between indigenous communities and private owners, and turning this – along with more than 100 000 hectares of fiscal land – over to indigenous families.
Last updated: June 9, 2006