Croatian Chileans (Chileno-croatas, ; Croatian: ''čileanski Hrvati'') are

Chileans Chileans (, ) are an ethnic group and nation native to the country of Chile and its neighboring insular territories. Most Chileans share a common culture, history, ancestry and language. The overwhelming majority of Chileans are the product o ...

of full or partial Croatian descent. Chile has one of the largest communities of ethnic Croats outside

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

, second only to

Croatian Americans Croatian Americans or Croat Americans () are Americans who have full or partial Croatian ancestry. In 2012, there were 414,714 American citizens of Croat or Croatian descent living in the United States as per revised 2010 United States Census ...

. 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 current president of the Republic,

Gabriel Boric Gabriel Boric Font (; born 11 February 1986) is a Chilean politician and the President of Chile since 2022. He previously served two four-year terms as a deputy in the Chamber of Deputies of Chile, Chamber of Deputies. Boric first gained prom ...

History

Ad-of-croat-cruiser-en-route-to-sth-america

The

oppression Oppression is malicious or unjust treatment of, or exercise of power over, a group of individuals, often in the form of governmental authority. Oppression may be overt or covert, depending on how it is practiced. No universally accepted model ...

of the Croatian people and the denial of an internationally recognised nation was the principal factor leading them to embark on a constant

migration Migration, migratory, or migrate may refer to: Human migration * Human migration, physical movement by humans from one region to another ** International migration, when peoples cross state boundaries and stay in the host state for some minimum le ...

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 as

Austrians Austrians (, ) are the citizens and Nationality, nationals of Austria. The English term ''Austrians'' was applied to the population of Archduchy of Austria, Habsburg Austria from the 17th or 18th century. Subsequently, during the 19th century, ...

, and afterwards up until 1990 as Yugoslavians. Since 1990, and in accordance to the establishment of the newly internationally recognised Republic of Croatia, Chilean Croats have reasserted their cultural and ethnic identity. The Croatian community first established itself in two provinces situated at the extreme ends of

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, stretching along a narrow strip of land between the Andes, Andes Mountains and the Paci ...

Antofagasta Antofagasta () is a port city in northern Chile, about north of Santiago. It is the capital of Antofagasta Province and Antofagasta Region. According to the 2015 census, the city has a population of 402,669. Once claimed by Bolivia follo ...

, in the Atacama desert of the north and

Punta Arenas Punta Arenas (, historically known as Sandy Point in English) is the capital List of cities in Chile, city of Chile's southernmost Regions of Chile, region, Magallanes Region, Magallanes and Antarctica Chilena. Although officially renamed as ...

in the

Patagonia Patagonia () is a geographical region that includes parts of Argentina and Chile at the southern end of South America. The region includes the southern section of the Andes mountain chain with lakes, fjords, temperate rainforests, and glaciers ...

n 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 this ''1864–1956'' 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 successful assimilation, 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. It is estimated that there are up to 400,000–450,000 Chileans of Croatian descent. Even though the number may be much higher with some

demographic Demography () is the statistics, statistical study of human populations: their size, composition (e.g., ethnic group, age), and how they change through the interplay of fertility (births), mortality (deaths), and migration. Demographic analy ...

analysts estimating a figure of 500,000.hrvatski.
Included in the Croatian population are

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, a Romance ethnic group related to or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance languag ...

and Istro-Romanian minorities, the latter speak a Romance language relates to Italian; they too easily assimilated to the Chilean society bexause of related Latin culture.

Dalmatian-Croatian in Chile

The first issue of the publication ''Sloboda'' was published in March 1902, in

. It was the first newspaper of the Croatian immigrants in

Latin America Latin America is the cultural region of the Americas where Romance languages are predominantly spoken, primarily Spanish language, Spanish and Portuguese language, Portuguese. Latin America is defined according to cultural identity, not geogr ...

. The Croatian

immigrant Immigration is the international movement of people to a destination country of which they are not usual residents or where they do not possess nationality in order to settle as permanent residents. Commuters, tourists, and other short- ...

s in Chile conducted extensive journalistic work since 1902, which includes more than 50 newspapers, publications and newsletters. The Dalmatian 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 in

. 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.

Croatians in Punta Arenas

is the most prominent settlement on the

Strait of Magellan The Strait of Magellan (), also called the Straits of Magellan, is a navigable sea route in southern Chile separating mainland South America to the north and the Tierra del Fuego archipelago to the south. Considered the most important natura ...

and the capital of the Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region,

. 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,

Swiss Swiss most commonly refers to: * the adjectival form of Switzerland * Swiss people Swiss may also refer to: Places * Swiss, Missouri * Swiss, North Carolina * Swiss, West Virginia * Swiss, Wisconsin Other uses * Swiss Café, an old café located ...

and others). Croatian immigration in Punta Arenas was a crucial development in the region of Magallanes and the city in particular. Currently, it is possible to see this influence in the names of shops and many buildings.

Croatian Chileans

Political figures

* Tamara Agnic – business administrator, Superintendent of pensions (2014–16) * Ingrid Antonijevic – economist, Chilean minister (2002–06) * Vicente Merino Bielich – Naval officer, Chilean minister (1946), Vice President of Chile (1946) *

– deputy (2014–22),

President of Chile The president of Chile (), officially the president of the Republic of Chile (), is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Chile. The president is responsible for both Government of Chile, government administration and s ...

(since 2022) * Hernán Büchi Buc – economist, Chilean Minister (1983–84 / 1985–89) * Romy Schmidt Crnosija – lawyer, Chilean minister (2006–10) * Igor Garafulic – economist, Intendant of

Santiago Metropolitan Region Santiago Metropolitan Region () is one of Chile's 16 first-order administrative divisions. It is the country's only landlocked administrative region and contains the nation's capital, Santiago. Most commercial and administrative centers are loc ...

(2008–10) * Carolina Goić Borojević – social worker, deputy (2006–14), Senator (2014–22) * Alejandro Jadresic Marinovic – industrial engineer, Chilean minister (1994–98) * Carlos González Jaksic – teacher, Regidor (1963–69) and Alcalde of

(1964–67 / 1992–96), deputy (1969–1973) * Cedomil Lausic Glasinovic – agronomist,

MIR ''Mir'' (, ; ) was a space station operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001, first by the Soviet Union and later by the Russia, Russian Federation. ''Mir'' was the first modular space station and was assembled in orbit from 1986 to ...

activist * Yerko Ljubetic – lawyer, Chilean minister (2005–06) * Miodrag Marinović – businessman, deputy (2010–14) * Vlado Mirosevic – political scientist, deputy (since 2014) * Baldo Prokurica – lawyer, deputy (1990–2002), Senator (2002–18), Chilean minister (2018–20 / 2020–22) * Claudio Radonich – lawyer, Intendant of

Magallanes Region The Magallanes Region (), officially the Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region () or Magallanes and the Chilean Antarctica Region in English, is one of Chile's 16 first order administrative divisions. It is the southernmost, largest, and sec ...

(2013–14), Alcalde of

(since 2016) * Esteban Tomic – lawyer, Ambassador to the OAS (2000–06) * Radomiro Tomic – lawyer, deputy (1941–49), Senator (1950–53 / 1961–65), Ambassador to the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

(1965–68) * Tomás Vodanovic – sociologist, Alcalde of Maipú (since 2021) * Pedro Vuskovic – economist, Chilean minister (1970–72) * Edmundo Pérez Zujovic – businessman, Chilean minister (1965–67 / 1968–69)

Academics and scientists

* Francisco Bozinovic Kuscevic – biologist, National Prize for Natural Sciences (2020) * Lily Garafulic Yankovic – sculptor, professor of fine arts * – literary critic and professor of literature at

Pontifical Catholic University of Chile The Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (UC Chile; ) is a traditional private university based in Santiago, Chile. It is one of the thirteen Catholic universities existing in Chilean university system and one of the two pontifical univ ...

* Eric Goles – mathematician and author, National Prize for Exact Sciences (1993) * Alfredo Jadresic – professor of medicine (also Olympic high jumper) * Ernesto Livacic Gazzano – academic, author * – academic, economist * Mateo Martinić Beroš – academic, Chilean National History Award (2000), founder of Institute of Patagonia * Luis Advis Vitaglich – philosophy academic, composer of Santa María de Iquique * – academic, electrical engineer

Writers

* Lenka Franulic – journalist, author, the annual ''Lenka Fraunlic Award'' for the best journalist of the year was named in her honour * Astrid Fugellie Gezan – poet * José Goles Radnić – music writer and composerhttp://www.musicapopular.cl/artista/jose-goles/ Jose Nicolas (Pepe) Goles Radnić * Eugenio Mimica Barassi – author * Andrés Morales Milohnic – poet, author, academic, Prize Pablo Neruda 2001 * Cristián Contreras Radovic – journalist, author, speaker, Doctor of Philosophy, leader of the United Centre * Roque Esteban Scarpa – poet, author, academic * Antonio Skármeta Vranicic – author, novelist

Sportspeople

Auto racing

* Boris Garafulic Litvak – racing driver * Boris Garafulic Stipicic – racing driver

Basketball

* Andrés Mitrovic – basketball player * Juan Ostoic – basketball player * Milenko Skoknic – basketball player, also diplomat

Football

* Ivo Basay Hatibovic – football manager and footballer * Marko Biskupovic – football manager and footballer * – footballer * Felipe Seymour Dobud – footballer * – football administrator, former president of

Colo-Colo Colo-Colo (), officially Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo, is a Chilean professional football club based in Macul, Santiago. Founded in 1925 by David Arellano, it competes in the Chilean Primera División, from which the club has never been ...

* Juan Koscina – footballer * Benjamín Kuscevic – footballer * José Lafrentz Marusich – footballer * – sports radio personality, also

Alcalde ''Alcalde'' (; ) is the traditional Spanish municipal magistrate, who had both judicial and Administration (government), administrative functions. An ''alcalde'' was, in the absence of a corregidor (position), corregidor, the presiding officer o ...

(2008–2012) * Milovan Mirošević – football manager and footballer * Nicolás Peranic – footballer * Nicolás Peric – footballer and sports commentator * Harold Mayne-Nicholls Sekul – football administrator, former president of ANFP and

FIFA The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (), more commonly known by its acronym FIFA ( ), is the international self-regulatory governing body of association football, beach soccer, and futsal. It was founded on 21 May 1904 to o ...

official * Jaime Lo Presti Travanic – footballer * Luka Tudor Bakulic – footballer and sports commentator

Other sports

* Neven Ilic – sports official, member of the

International Olympic Committee The International Olympic Committee (IOC; , CIO) is the international, non-governmental, sports governing body of the modern Olympic Games. Founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas, it is based i ...

* Iván Morovic – Chess

International Grandmaster Grandmaster (GM) is a Chess title, title awarded to chess players by the world chess organization FIDE. Apart from World Chess Championship, World Champion, Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can attain. Once achieved, the title is hel ...

* Juan Papic – table tennis player * Johnnathan Tafra – canoeist

Media personalities

* Cristián Arriagada Bižaca – actor * Jéssica Eterovic – model * Carolina Fadic – actress * Alejandro Goic – actor * Carolina Mestrovic – singer, model * Julio Milostich – actor * Paulina Mladinic – model * Isidora Cabezón Papic – actress * Martín Cárcamo Papic – television presenter * Pedro Pavlovic – journalist * Santiago Pavlovic – journalist * Mauricio Pesutic – actor * Simón Pesutic – actor * Ángela Contreras Radovic – actress * Manuela Martelli Salamovich – actress * Tonka Tomicic Petric – television presenter, model *

Antonio Vodanovic Antonio Vodanovic (born March 2, 1949, in Santiago, Chile) is a Chilean television presenter known for being the presenter of Viña del Mar International Song Festival from 1976 to 2004. From the late 1970s to 1982 he was programming director of ...

– television presenter * Sergio Vodanović – screenwriter, journalist, dramatist, lawyer * Carolina Arregui Vuskovic – actress

Business people

* Pascual Baburizza Šoletić * Andrónico Luksic Abaroa * Andrónico Luksic Craig * Guillermo Luksic Craig * Jean-Paul Luksic Fontbona

Other notable Chilean croats

* Alejandro Goic Karmelic – clergyman * Leonor Oyarzún Ivanovic – First Lady of Chile * Antonio Rendić Ivanović – doctor, a.k.a. "Ivo Serge" as poet * Koko Stambuk – Chilean musician

References

External links

Diaspora Croata
{{Use British English, date=August 2010 Croatian diaspora by country European diaspora in Chile