 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2011) |
chileno-escocés | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| Unknown [citation needed] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Punta Arenas, Magallanes Region | |
| Languages | |
| Spanish. Minority speaks English, Scottish Gaelic and/or Lowland Scots as first language. | |
| Religion | |
| Roman Catholicism, Protestantism (Presbyterianism, Episcopalianism et al.) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Scottish people, Scottish Argentines |
Scottish Chileans are Chileans of Scottish descent who came from Scotland and, in some cases, Scots-Irish people from Northern Ireland. A large proportion of Scottish Chileans are sheep farmers in the Magallanes region of the far south of the country, and the city of Punta Arenas has a large Scottish foundation dating back to the 18th century.
A famous Scot, Thomas, Lord Cochrane (later 10th Earl of Dundonald) formed the Chilean Navy to help liberate Chile from Spain in the independence period. Chile developed a strong diplomatic relationship with Great Britain and invited more British settlers to the country in the 19th century.
The Chilean government land deals invited settlement from Scotland and Wales in its southern provinces in the 1840s and 1850s. The number of Scottish Chileans is still higher in Patagonia and Magallanes regions.
The Mackay School, in Viña del Mar is an example of a school set up by Scottish Chileans. The Scottish and other British Chileans are primarily found in higher education as well in economic management and the country's cultural life. [citation needed]