Chile+Culture


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Fast Facts
 * The population of Chile is 16,888,760
 * The official language of Chile is Spanish but other languages spoken include English and German.

Religion The main religion in Chile is Roman Catholic, 70% of the population practices this religion. Religion in Chile is very important, it influences social and political life. Religious instruction in public schools is Roman Catholic. Most of the national holidays in Chile are religious holidays. The other prominent religion in Chile is Evangelical.

Education Education is very important in Chile. The literacy rate in Chile is 95.7% and most children in Chile attend school for 15 years. (K-HS =13 years) Many go to secondary school and focus on technical and professional studies. Government The Government in Chile is very similar to the government in the United States. Chile is a Republic and holds elections for president. The president serves 4 year terms. The legal system in Chile is also set up like the legal system in the United States.

Family Family is very important in Chilean life. Many chileans are close to their extended families they often get together for holidays and celebrations. In addition to celebrations, many businesses in Chile are family run. [|(The World Factbook 2011)]

Customs Meet and Greet
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Men shake hands. Women pat each other on the arms or shoulders.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">If the people are close friends of family members men while hug and pat each other on the back and women will kiss each others cheeks.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Time of Day greetings: "buenos dias" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon) or "buenas noches"(good evening).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">When addressing older people whom your close with "don" for men and "dona" is usually used before their first names.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Don't worry it is normal for people to stand very close to you when holding conversation.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Gift Giving
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Gifts are usually given for birthdays and christmas.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">If invited to someones home, you bring wine or sweets for the hostess.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">For a girls 15th birthday giving gold jewelry is normal.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Gifts are generally opened when received.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Gifts not to Give
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Yellow Roses - Indicate contempt
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Black or Purple flowers - Indicate Death
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Knives or Scissors - Indicate you want to sever the relationship

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Dining Etiquette
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Wait to be shown to your seat.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Women sit before men
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Always keep your hands in sight while eating. You can rest your wrists on the edge of the table.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Use your utensils to eat.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Do not speak while holding your eating utensils.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">It is polite to finish everything on your plate.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Wait for a toast to be made before taking a sip of your drink. (Salud !)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">When you lift your glass, look at the person who is being toasted.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Always pour wine and drinks with your right hand.

[|(Kwintessential 2011)]

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Food <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">Most of the cuisine found in Chile have origins from spanish food, with some european influence and chilean ingredients. Seafood is a big part of Chilean food because of it's coastline. The diverse geographical makeup of Chile leads to a variety of crops that are used in their dishes. Olives, corn, potatoes, and native fruits such as chirimoya and lucuma are commonly used in chilean dishes. Chile is one of the worlds largest wine producers so wine is often served with meals. [|(The World Factbook 2011)]



<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Music <span style="color: #444444; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Chile's national dance is the cueca. It it performed at every important festival in Chile, and especially on the Chilean national day on September 18th. Chilean music was shaped by t<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">he <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">nueva canción movement of the 1960s. The movement added guitar and traditional instruments, and focused on struggles that people were going through. This type of music is still popular today in chile. Los Jaivas is the most popular band in Chilean history. The Parra family started the band and as member pass away or quit the band they are constantly replaced by new members. Many dance clubs also play reggaeton and cumbia music. [|(South America Guide 2011)] media type="youtube" key="7v0le4ImeRo" width="425" height="350" align="center"

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">References

CIA- The World Factbook. (2011). //South America: Chile//. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from https://www.cia.gov/‌library/‌publications/‌the-world-factbook/‌geos/‌ci.html

Kwintessential. (2011). //Chile- language, culture, customs, and etiquette//. Retrieved December 10, 2011, from http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/‌resources/global-etiquette/‌chile.html

South American Guide. (2011, July 4). //Chilean music//. Retrieved December 10, 2011, from http://www.southamerica.cl/‌Chile/‌Music.htm

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">Page Created by Jillian Grazioso <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">©jkgrazi@ilstu.edu <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">Created on November 28, 2011 <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">Last Modified on December 12, 2011