Chilean

Chilean refers to anything related to Chile, a country in western South America, or to its people, the Chileans. As a nationality, Chilean denotes someone born in Chile or who has acquired Chilean citizenship; as an adjective it describes something of, or relating to, Chile.

Geographically, Chile stretches along the western edge of the continent, bordered by Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the southern oceanic regions beyond. The capital and largest city is Santiago. The population is diverse, with a majority identifying as mestizo, substantial Mapuche Indigenous communities, and descendants of European and other immigrant groups. The predominant language is Spanish, with the Chilean variant distinguished by unique pronunciation and vocabulary; Mapudungun is spoken by Mapuche communities, and smaller groups use Aymara, Quechua, and languages brought by immigrants.

Chile achieved independence from Spain in 1818. Since the late 20th century it has maintained a stable representative democracy after a period of military rule from 1973 to 1990. The economy emphasizes copper mining, along with agriculture, fishing, and services, and it is among Latin America’s more developed countries. Chile is a member of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the OECD (which it joined in 2010).

Cultural life in Chile reflects its geography and history, with notable contributions in literature, music, cinema, and cuisine. Nobel laureates Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda are among the most famous Chilean writers. Traditional dishes include empanadas, pastel de choclo, and curanto, as well as seafood from the coast. The country maintains a vibrant arts scene and active civic engagement in contemporary public life.