Mapuche, the most numerous group of Indians in South America. They numbered more than 1,400,000 at the turn of the 21st century. Most inhabit the Central Valley of Chile, south of the Biobío River. A smaller group lives in Neuquén provincia, west-central Argentina.

Where did the Mapuche originate?

The Mapuche people of southern Chile and Argentina have a long history dating back as an archaeological culture to 600–500 BC. The Mapuche society had great transformations after Spanish contact in the mid–16th century.

How many Mapuche are there in Argentina?

There are just over 100,000 Mapuche in Argentina (Instituto Nacional de Estadistica, 2004-5). Since the late-nineteenth century, the unity of the Mapuche nation has been confronted by the international boundary with Chile: Argentina is the puel mapu (the eastern land); Chile is the ngulu mapu (the western land).