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 * Mapuch** [[image:mapuche1.jpg align="left"]] **e**

The Mapuche are the inhabitants of Central and Southern Chile. To the Spaniards, they were known as Araucanians. Mapuche make up about 4% of the Chilean population and are particularly concentrated in the Araucania Region. They had an economy was based on agriculture and their social organisation consisted of exten ded families under the direction of a chief. In times of war they would unite in larger groupings and elect a toqui to lead them. They are the only indigenous gro up which withstood the attacks of the Inca,  and were never conquered by them (mnsu.edu). They were also the only south American group that was never conquered by the Spaniards (mnsu.edu). The Mapuche language is called Mapudungun, and their best known features are their National pride and resistance to the conquering forces of the Inca and Spanish (mnsu.edu).



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