![[map of Chile]](ncd01953.gif "map of Chile; swiped off the World Fact Book web site; please do not write to ask about the image")
Independent republic occupying the southwestern part of South America; area, 290,084 square miles.
Missionary work among the Araucanian (Mapuche) Indians was undertaken at the end of the 16th century by the Jesuits who were expelled, 1168, but readmitted, 1843.
The state confiscated Church property, 1824, and fixed a salary for the clergy; in 1884,/a> civil marriage was introduced.
Catholicism was the official religion of the country until 1925 when Church and State were separated.
Archdioceses, past and present, include
- Antofagasta
- Concepci´n
- La Serena
- Puerto Montt
- Santiago de Chile
- Arica
- Chillán
- Copiapó
- Iquique
- Linares
- Los Angeles
- Melipilla
- Osorno
- Punta Arenas
- Rancagua
- San Bernardo
- San Carlos de Ancud
- San Felipe
- Talca
- Temuco
- Valdivia
- Valparaíso
- Villarrica
- Aysén Vicariate Apostolic
- Calama Territorial Prelature
- Chile Military Ordinariate
- Illapel Territorial Prelature
- Magallanes Prefecture Apostolic
- World Fact Book
- patron saints index: Chile
- patron saints index: Chilean army
- patron saints index: Chilean navy
New Catholic Dictionary
