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People
Chileans are a mix of Spanish, Irish, English, German and Scottish
immigrants and native Indians.
Language
Spanish is Chile's official language, though a handful of native
languages are still spoken. In the north, there are more than 20,000
speakers of Aymara, and in the south there are perhaps half a million
speakers of Mapuche.
The most intriguing linguistic minority is the 2000-plus speakers
of Rapa Nui, the Polynesian language of most of Easter Island's
population.
Religion
Over 90% of the population is Roman Catholic, though evangelical
Protestantism is becoming increasingly popular.
The country's Catholic architecture is impressive and ubiquitous,
from grandiose colonial churches to roadside shrines, some of which
are extraordinary manifestations of folk art.
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