Queilén is a town and commune in the Archipelago of Chiloé in southern Chile. It covers a portion of the southeast of the Greater Island of Chiloé, between the communes of Chonchi, Quellón, Tranqui Island and Acuy Island. For the 2002 census, the population of the town had grown to 1,912 inhabitants, according to INE; the municipality had a population of 5,138.

Its capital is the town of the same name, known on the island for its beaches and views of the Gulf of Corcovado and the Andes. It has a quieter atmosphere than the larger towns of the province (Ancud, Castro and Quellón). It was founded by Anthony Cipriano in the early nineteenth century.

This community has with the Public Library No. 333, which since 2002 joined the program Biblioredes services, allowing free access to Internet and technology services closer to all inhabitants from the community.

The exact date of the foundation of Queilén is unknown. In 1703 there was an Arab community with a chapel and in 1771 a new church was built. Jesuit missionaries and Spanish settlers, granted encomiendas in the area, gradually occupied Queilén.

Between 1818 and 1821 the Spanish cavalry captain Antonio Cipriano, explored the coastline and drew up maps, preparing the population for military resistance to the expected Chilean landings. In 1890, in recognition of his accomplishments, the area was named after captain Grille. It seems that the community never accepted the name "Puerto Grille" and simply continued to use Queilén.

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