Which Indigenous peoples contributed to Chile’s population and culture?

Chile’s population and culture are deeply rooted in a history of miscegenation between European conquistadors and various Indigenous peoples. This ethnic and cultural blending began during the 16th and 17th centuries, shaping the modern Chilean identity.1

The Indigenous groups that contributed to this heritage include:

• Araucanian peoples: Historically divided into the Picunche (north), Mapuche (central), and Huilliche (south). The Mapuche, the most numerous group, are particularly noted for their 350-year struggle against Spanish and Chilean domination, which significantly influenced the nation's history. The Picunche and Huilliche were largely assimilated into the rural peasant population during the colonial era.23
• Northern groups: These include the Atacameños and Diaguitas, who inhabited the northern regions and were known for their agricultural and trading traditions.14
• Other groups: Historical records also identify the Pehuenches and Cuncos as contributors to the early population. Additionally, Aymara minorities continue to maintain their cultural heritage in the north today.15

While these groups were distinct, they share in the broader Chilean identity, which remains characterized by a strong sense of cultural homogeneity, the Spanish language, and the Roman Catholic religion.51