Chileans are people who have a connection with the country of Chile, located in western South America. Chile is a diverse and multicultural society, with a rich history and culture that reflects its indigenous, European, African and Asian influences. Chileans speak Spanish as their national language, but also preserve other languages such as Mapudungun, Quechua, Aymara and Rapa Nui. Chileans practice various religions, mainly Christianity, but also Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and others. Chileans are proud of their national identity and symbols, such as the flag, the coat of arms, the national anthem and the motto “By reason or by force”.

Chileans have a population of about 18.4 million people as of 2022, most of whom live in urban areas. The capital and largest city of Chile is Santiago, which is also the cultural, political and economic center of the country. Chile has a unitary presidential republic system of government, led by President Gabriel Boric since 2022. Chile has a high-income economy with a high human development index and a low level of corruption. Chile is also known for its natural beauty and diversity, with a long coastline along the Pacific Ocean, the Andes Mountains that run along its eastern border, the Atacama Desert in the north, the Patagonia region in the south and several islands in the Pacific.

Chileans have a long history of migration and diaspora, both within and outside their country. Many Chileans have ancestors from different regions of Spain, especially Basques, as well as from other European countries such as Germany, France, Italy and Croatia. Chileans also have indigenous roots from various groups such as Mapuche, Aymara, Diaguita and Rapa Nui. Some Chileans have African ancestry from slaves brought by the Spanish colonizers or from immigrants from Haiti and other Caribbean countries. More recently, Chile has received immigrants from Asia, especially China, Korea and Palestine.

Chileans have also emigrated to other countries for various reasons, such as political persecution, economic opportunities or cultural exchange. Some of the main destinations for Chilean emigrants are Argentina, United States, Canada, Australia and Spain. There are also significant Chilean communities in Sweden, France, Brazil and Venezuela. Chileans abroad maintain their cultural ties with their homeland through associations, media outlets, festivals and sports teams. Chileans also contribute to the development and diversity of their host countries through their work, education and civic participation.

The culture of Chile reflects the diversity and richness of its people, its geography and its history. Chilean culture is influenced by the indigenous, European, African and Asian heritage of its population, as well as by the geographic isolation of the country from the rest of South America. Chilean culture is also shaped by the social and political events that have marked the country’s history, such as the colonial period, the independence movement, the dictatorship and the transition to democracy.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Chilean culture is its music and dance, which express the identity and emotions of the people. The national dance of Chile is the cueca, which originated in the 19th century and represents a courtship ritual between a man and a woman. The cueca is danced with handkerchiefs and accompanied by guitars, accordions and percussion instruments. Another popular form of music and dance is the tonada, which is a lyrical song that tells stories of love, nostalgia or social issues. The tonada is sung by soloists or duets and played with guitars, harps or other string instruments.

Chilean music and dance also reflect the regional diversity of the country, with different styles and influences depending on the area. For example, in the north of Chile, where there is a strong presence of indigenous peoples such as the Aymara and the Atacameño, the music and dance are influenced by Andean rhythms and instruments such as the quena (flute), the zampoña (panpipe) and the charango (small guitar). In the south of Chile, where there is a significant German immigration, the music and dance are influenced by European polkas, waltzes and schottisches. In Easter Island, where there is a unique Rapa Nui culture, the music and dance are influenced by Polynesian traditions such as the hoko (war dance) and the ʻukulele (four-stringed guitar).

Another important aspect of Chilean culture is its literature, which has produced several renowned writers and poets who have contributed to the national and universal culture. Some of the most famous Chilean writers are Gabriela Mistral, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945 for her lyrical poetry; Pablo Neruda, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971 for his epic poetry; Isabel Allende, who is one of the most widely read Latin American authors in the world; Roberto Bolaño, who is considered one of the most influential contemporary writers; and Alejandro Zambra, who is one of the most prominent young writers of his generation.

Chilean literature also reflects the social and political realities of the country, especially during the 20th century. Many writers used their works to denounce injustice, oppression and violence, or to express their hopes, dreams and aspirations for a better society. Some examples are Nicanor Parra, who created an anti-poetry that challenged conventional forms and language; Vicente Huidobro, who founded a poetic movement called creationism that aimed to create new realities through words; Jorge Edwards, who wrote novels that criticized the dictatorship and its aftermath; Ariel Dorfman, who wrote plays that exposed human rights violations; Diamela Eltit, who wrote novels that explored gender issues; Alberto Fuguet, who wrote novels that portrayed urban youth culture; and Raúl Zurita, who wrote poems that expressed his pain and resistance during the dictatorship.