Chile has a population of around 19 million people. The majority are mestizo — of mixed European and indigenous ancestry — though the country identifies strongly with its European immigrant heritage. Large waves of Spanish, German, British, Croatian, and Italian settlers arrived from the 18th century onwards, and their influence is visible in architecture, surnames, and local culture across the country. The German Lakes District towns of Puerto Varas and Frutillar are particularly striking examples.
The largest indigenous group is the Mapuche, who number around 1.8 million and make up roughly 80% of Chile's indigenous population. Historically concentrated in the south, many Mapuche now live in urban areas, particularly in Santiago and the Araucanía region. The Mapuche resisted both the Inca and Spanish empires longer than almost any other indigenous people in the Americas, and their identity and political rights remain a live issue in Chilean society — the Araucanía region in particular has seen ongoing land disputes and tension between Mapuche communities and the Chilean state.
Other indigenous groups include the Aymara in the far north, the Atacameño (Lickanantay) in the high Atacama, and the Rapa Nui on Easter Island.
Chile is the only country in Latin America that did not recognise indigenous peoples in its constitution, though this has been a subject of active debate in recent constitutional reform processes.
Chileans are generally reserved but warm once you get past the initial formality. Hospitality is important — an invitation into someone's home is not taken lightly, and declining food or drink can cause offence. In the cities, life runs at a businesslike pace; in the countryside and south, things slow down considerably.
The Catholic Church still holds social influence, though religious practice has declined significantly in recent decades. Around 60–65% of the population identifies as Catholic, with growing Protestant and evangelical communities, particularly among Mapuche and lower-income urban groups.