ABOUT THE LOCATION

ABOUT CHILE

CHILEAN CULTURE

Traveling in Chile delivers a unique offering of unspoiled natural beauty and a sense of cultural charisma. The landscape is a blend of stunning contrasts; snow-white salt plains, ancient glaciers, the driest desert on Earth, active volcanoes, and a myriad of lush forests, emerald lakes, and pristine rivers that serpentine through the Andes Mountains as they journey towards the Pacific Ocean.

Chile’s population is made up of a distinct blend of primarily European and indigineous peoples. The indigineous influence, especially that of the largest group the Mapuche, is integral to the fabric of Chile, while European influence has also shaped much of Chilean culture. On the economic front, Chile has achieved more economic prosperity than most countries in Latin America, in part due to their incredibly rich land and ocean resources, and in part due to systematic economic advances following an era of dictatorships.

The majority of Chileans are Roman Catholics, around 60%, with about 15% Christian Protestant, making it one of the nations in Latin America with the greatest Protestant influence. Around 25% of Chileans are religiously non-affiliated or state that religion is not important in their lives -- again one of the highest percentages in Latin America.

Spanish is the official language, and Chileans champion a thoroughly unique iteration woven with one-ofa-kind colloquialisms and faster-than-light pronunciation. Their rich traditions rooted in language, land, cuisine, and customs are punctuated by the quintessential warmth of hospitality, family, and passion for their country’s past, present, and future.