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The Chilean Culture

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Submitted By thatlady
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Chile The country of Chile is located in South America. It has a rich history spanning thousands of years. Chile is home to many diverse populations, cultures, and customs. It is an interesting country and one I would like to visit. Chile was originally settled by the Native Americans 10,000 years ago. The native population thrived and was even able to repel the attempts by the Incas to conquer the area. Later, Ferdinand Magellan discovered Chile. Many explorers visited the country and interacted with its inhabitants. Not all of these interactions were positive, however. In 1541, Chile was conquered by Pedro Valdivia and the city of Santiago was founded. The native Mapuche population fought over many years and finally gained independence for the country on September 18, 1810. Political instability and change in Chile have been common since that time. Although Chile's political system has had problems over the years, the culture has continued to thrive. Spanish is the primary language of Chile. The people of Chile speak with accents that are unique and differ from those of the countries that border Chile. Indigenous languages and German are also common. Chile has a rich heritage of folklore and music, including that of the Mapuche. The national dance is the cueca and the national song is the tonada. Literature is extremely important to the people of Chile and they call themselves a country of poets. This country of poets has been home to many artists and authors. One of the most noteworthy artists was Gabriela Mistral. She was the first Latin American to win a Nobel prize for literature. Music and literature are not the only important aspects of Chile's culture. The people and their diversity are truly unique. Many people of Chile are Mestizos. These people are descendants of indigenous tribes and Spaniards. Indigenous tribes include the Aymara and the Mapuche. Chile is also home to many European immigrants. Chilean people tend to be very outgoing and friendly. They enjoy a good joke and love to socialize. It is common for people to take the afternoon off to meet with friends and family for a barbecue or swim. The youth enjoy visiting clubs and the active night-life of Chile. I have found the country of Chile to be fascinating. My great-grandfather and his family immigrated to the United States from there. I think it would be both educational and entertaining to travel to Chile and experience the culture for myself. Perhaps I will one day.

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