| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 500 000 4,3% of Chile's population[1][2][better source needed] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Punta Arenas,Santiago,Antofagasta,Iquique | |
| Languages | |
| Chilean Spanish,Croatian | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, mainly Roman Catholic others | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Croatians |
| Part ofa series on |
| Croats |
|---|
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Croatian Chileans (Chileno-croatas,Spanish pronunciation:[tʃiˈlenokɾoˈata];Croatian:čileanski Hrvati) areChileans of full or partial Croatian descent. Chile has one of the largest communities of ethnic Croats outsideEurope, second only toCroatian Americans. They are one of the main examples of successful assimilation of a non-Spanish-speaking European ethnic group into Chilean society. Many successful entrepreneurs, scientists and artists, as well as prominent politicians who have held some of the highest offices in the country, have been of Croatian descent – including the currentpresident of the Republic,Gabriel Boric.
Theoppression of the Croatian people and the denial of an internationally recognised nation was the principal factor leading them to embark on a constantmigration to Chile. At first they were recognised and officially registered as former citizens of the countries or empires from which they had fled. Until 1915 they were recognised asAustrians, and afterwards up until 1990 asYugoslavians. Since 1990, and in accordance to the establishment of the newly internationally recognisedRepublic of Croatia, Chilean Croats have reasserted their cultural and ethnic identity.[3]
The Croatian community first established itself in two provinces situated at the extreme ends ofChile:Antofagasta, in theAtacama desert of the north andPunta Arenas in thePatagonian region in the south. The large arrival of Croats in Chile began in 1864 and the migration grew steadily until 1956 – reaching several more than 6,000. In the early part of this1864–1956 era more Croats settled in Argentina than in Chile. For example, in Argentina, the number reached 80,000, but only about 57% of Croats remained in Argentina. Some returned to Europe or moved and settled in Chile where Croats had a more rapid and successfulassimilation, which led to a significant increase in the Chilean-Croat population in periods when there was no migration of Croats from Europe to the Americas.[4]
It is estimated that there are up to 400,000–450,000 Chileans of Croatian descent.[5][6] Even though the number may be much higher with somedemographic analysts estimating a figure of 500,000.[7]
The first issue of the publicationSloboda was published in March 1902, inAntofagasta. It was the first newspaper of the Croatian immigrants inLatin America. The Croatianimmigrants in Chile conducted extensive journalistic work since 1902, which includes more than 50 newspapers, publications and newsletters.[citation needed]
TheDalmatian coast, with thousands of islands of white rock, covered with vineyards, pine forests and olive trees, is similar to the geographical features of Chile. Most families have a relative or descendant inChile. Chile's name, unlike other parts of the world where it is almost unknown, is loved and admired by many Dalmatians as a second home.[8]
Punta Arenas is the most prominent settlement on theStrait of Magellan and the capital of theMagallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region,Chile. It has a population of over 146,000 inhabitants (2008). The city has its roots among the population origin of the European colonists (Croatian and Spanish) that populated the area in the mid-nineteenth century. There are also descendants of people from other countries (i.e.German,English,Italian,Swiss and others).[citation needed]
Croatian immigration in Punta Arenas was a crucial development in the region ofMagallanes and the city in particular. Currently, it is possible to see this influence in the names of shops and many buildings.[9]
