Atacama Region: Difference between revisions
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The '''Atacama Region''' ({{langx|es|Región de Atacama}}, {{IPA|es|ataˈkama|pron}}) is one of [[Chile]]'s 16 first order [[administrative division]]s. It comprises three [[Provinces of Chile|provinces]]: [[Chañaral Province|Chañaral]], [[Copiapó Province|Copiapó]] and [[Huasco Province|Huasco]]. It is bordered to the north by [[Antofagasta Region|Antofagasta]], to the south by [[Coquimbo Region|Coquimbo]], to the east by the provinces of [[Catamarca Province|Catamarca]], [[La Rioja Province (Argentina)|La Rioja]] and [[San Juan Province (Argentina)|San Juan]] of [[Argentina]], and to the west by the [[Pacific Ocean]]. The regional capital [[Copiapó]] is located {{convert|806|km|0|abbr=on}} north of the country's capital of [[Santiago]]. The region occupies the southern portion of the [[Atacama Desert]], the rest of the desert is mainly distributed among the other regions of [[Norte Grande, Chile|Norte Grande]]. As a generalization south of Copiapó River the region is mostly semi-arid and north of | The '''Atacama Region''' ({{langx|es|Región de Atacama}}, {{IPA|es|ataˈkama|pron}}) is one of [[Chile]]'s 16 first order [[administrative division]]s. It comprises three [[Provinces of Chile|provinces]]: [[Chañaral Province|Chañaral]], [[Copiapó Province|Copiapó]] and [[Huasco Province|Huasco]]. It is bordered to the north by [[Antofagasta Region|Antofagasta]], to the south by [[Coquimbo Region|Coquimbo]], to the east by the provinces of [[Catamarca Province|Catamarca]], [[La Rioja Province (Argentina)|La Rioja]] and [[San Juan Province (Argentina)|San Juan]] of [[Argentina]], and to the west by the [[Pacific Ocean]]. The regional capital [[Copiapó]] is located {{convert|806|km|0|abbr=on}} north of the country's capital of [[Santiago]]. The region occupies the southern portion of the [[Atacama Desert]], the rest of the desert is mainly distributed among the other regions of [[Norte Grande, Chile|Norte Grande]]. As a generalization south of Copiapó River the region is mostly semi-arid and north of it is a true desert. The inland area in the north also differs from the southern part by hosting active volcanoes part of the [[Andean Volcanic Belt|Central Volcanic Zone of Andes]]. | ||
The region has a long tradition of mining that features a [[Chilean silver rush|silver rush from 1832 to 1850]] and a strong development of [[iron mining in Chile|iron mining from 1952 to 1966]]. Besides silver and iron the region also hosts valuable reserves of [[gold]], [[copper]] and [[lithium]]. Agriculture in the region is mainly restricted to the valleys of [[Copiapó River|Copiapó]] and [[Huasco River|Huasco]] where irrigation is aided by the dams of [[Lautaro Dam|Lautaro]] and [[Santa Juana Dam|Santa Juana]] respectively. Crops cultivated include [[table grape]]s, [[olive]]s, [[alfalfa]] and [[pisco|pisco grapes]]. | |||
==Demography== | ==Demography== | ||
The Atacama Region is the third least populated region of the country, after [[Aisén Region|Aisén]] and [[Magallanes and Antartica Chilena Region|Magallanes]]. Of its total population, over 50% are located in the cities of [[Copiapó]] and [[Vallenar]]. | The Atacama Region is the third least populated region of the country, after [[Aisén Region|Aisén]] and [[Magallanes and Antartica Chilena Region|Magallanes]]. Of its total population, over 50% are located in the cities of [[Copiapó]] and [[Vallenar]]. | ||
The largest cities are ( | The largest cities are (2017 census data) [[Copiapó, Chile|Copiapó]] (150,804 inhabitants), [[Vallenar, Chile|Vallenar]] (45,298), [[Caldera, Chile|Caldera]] (15,547), [[Chañaral]] (11,073), [[El Salvador, Chile|El Salvador]] (6,032) [[Tierra Amarilla, Chile|Tierra Amarilla]] (9,857), and [[Diego de Almagro, Chile|Diego de Almagro]] (7,223).<ref name=census>{{Citation | ||
| url = https://geoarchivos.ine.cl/File/pub/Cd_Pb_Al_Cs_2019.pdf | |||
| title = Chile: Ciudades, pueblos, aldeas y caseríos | |||
| publisher = [[National Statistics Institute (Chile)|National Statistics Institute]] | |||
| publication-date = March 2019 | |||
| accessdate = October 28, 2025 | |||
| language = Spanish }}</ref> | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
The geology of the region has four [[metallogenetic belt]]s where deposits of valuable metals are found. From west to east these belts are the [[Atacama Fault|Atacama Fault System]] (copper and iron), the [[Inca de Oro Belt]] (silver, gold), the [[West Fissure System]] (copper) and lastly the [[Maricunga Belt]] (gold) close to the [[Argentina–Chile border|Argentine border]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Geological development and mineralization in the Atacama segment of the South American Andes, northern Chile (26°15′–27°25′S) |journal=[[Geologische Rundschau]] | | The geology of the region has four [[metallogenetic belt]]s where deposits of valuable metals are found. From west to east these belts are the [[Atacama Fault|Atacama Fault System]] (copper and iron), the [[Inca de Oro Belt]] (silver, gold), the [[West Fissure System]] (copper) and lastly the [[Maricunga Belt]] (gold) close to the [[Argentina–Chile border|Argentine border]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Geological development and mineralization in the Atacama segment of the South American Andes, northern Chile (26°15′–27°25′S) |journal=[[Geologische Rundschau]] |last1=Palacios |first1=C.M. |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00191492 |volume=82 |pages=652–662 |last2=Townley |first2=B.C. |last3=Lahsen |first3=A.A. |last4=Egafia |first4=A.M. |doi=10.1007/BF00191492|year=1993|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The [[Chilean Iron Belt]] largely follows the Atacama Fault System.<ref name=Simonetal2018>{{cite book |last1=Simon |first1=Adam C.|last2=Knipping |first2=Jaayne|last3=Reich |first3=Martin|last4=Barra |first4=Fernando|last5=Deditius |first5=Artur P. |last6=Bilenker |first6=Laura |last7=Childress |first7=Tristan |date=2018 |title=Metals, Minerals, and Society|chapter=Kiruna-Type Iron Oxide-Apatite (IOA) and Iron Oxide Copper-Gold (IOCG) Deposits Form by a Combination of Igneous and Magmatic-Hydrothermal Processes: Evidence from the Chilean Iron Belt |series=Society of Economic Geologists Special Publication|volume=21|doi=10.5382/SP.21 |pages=89–114 |isbn=9781629493084 |editor-last=Arribas R.|editor-first=Antonio M.|editor-last2=Mauk|editor-first2=Jeffrey L.}}</ref><ref name=Travisanyetal1995>{{cite journal |last1=Travisany |first1=Vinicio |last2=Henríquez |first2=Fernando|last3=Nyström |first3=Jan Olov |date=1995 |title=Magnetite lava flows in the Pleito-Melon District of the Chilean iron belt |journal=[[Economic Geology (journal)|Economic Geology]] |volume=90 |issue=2 |pages=438–444 |doi=10.2113/gsecongeo.90.2.438 |bibcode=1995EcGeo..90..438T }}</ref> | ||
==Economy== | ==Economy== | ||
{{See also| | {{See also|Iron mining in Chile|Chilean pisco}} | ||
Mining accounts for 41%<ref>{{Cite report |title=Distritos productivos para el desarrollo de la minería chilena |url=https://www.sonami.cl/v2/publicaciones/distritos-productivos-desarrollo-mineria-chilena/ |trans-title=Productive districts for the development of mining in Chile|language=es |year=2025 |publisher=[[Sociedad Nacional de Minería|Centro de Estudios y Documentación Mineros de SONAMI]]}}</ref> of the region's GDP and 90% of its exports.{{fact|date=May 2025}} Moreover, various geological surveys have identified new deposits.{{cn|date=March 2025}} In Atacama Region [[medium-scale mining|medium]] and small-scale mining has a larger share of mining properties relative to | Mining accounts for 41%<ref>{{Cite report |title=Distritos productivos para el desarrollo de la minería chilena |url=https://www.sonami.cl/v2/publicaciones/distritos-productivos-desarrollo-mineria-chilena/ |trans-title=Productive districts for the development of mining in Chile|language=es |year=2025 |publisher=[[Sociedad Nacional de Minería|Centro de Estudios y Documentación Mineros de SONAMI]]}}</ref> of the region's GDP and 90% of its exports.{{fact|date=May 2025}} Moreover, various geological surveys have identified new deposits.{{cn|date=March 2025}} In Atacama Region [[medium-scale mining|medium]] and small-scale mining has a larger share of mining properties relative to large-scale mining that is dominant in the more northern regions of [[Tarapacá Region|Tarapacá]] and [[Antofagasta Region|Antofagasta]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ulloa Urrutia| first1=Alfie|last2=Contreras Biekert|first2=José Luis|last3=Gana Aravena|first3=Joaquín|last4=Miranda Toledo |first4=Rodrigo|last5=Chauveau Gerber|first5=Paul|first6=Fernando|last6=Villalobos Valenzuela|last7=Farías Soto|first7=Javiera|title=Productividad en la Gran Minería del Cobre|chapter=|year=2017 |publisher=Comisión Nacional de Productividad|language=Spanish|isbn=978-956-7725-08-3|page=283}}</ref> The region's mining activity is centered on copper mining, but it host most of Chile's [[Iron mining in Chile|iron]] and [[gold mining in Chile|gold]] mines. In Atacama Region there are numerous small-scale mines, which sell their output to [[ENAMI (Chile)|ENAMI]] (the national mining company) for processing at its [[Fundición Paipote|Paipote smelter]]. The region's main copper deposit is [[Candelaria mine|Candelaria]], which produces around 200,000 tonnes per year and is controlled by [[Phelps Dodge]], an international corporation.{{update inline|date=July 2025}} The next in size is El Salvador, owned by [[CODELCO]], with an annual output of around 81,000 tonnes. Both mines export through the port of [[Chañaral]].{{cn|date=March 2025}} | ||
[[File:ValledeCopiapo.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Irrigated fields in the outskirts Copiapó.]] | [[File:ValledeCopiapo.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Irrigated fields in the outskirts Copiapó.]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:43, 10 November 2025
Script error: No such module "about". Template:Short description Template:More citations needed Template:Main otherScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Main other The Atacama Region (Template:Langx, Script error: No such module "IPA".) is one of Chile's 16 first order administrative divisions. It comprises three provinces: Chañaral, Copiapó and Huasco. It is bordered to the north by Antofagasta, to the south by Coquimbo, to the east by the provinces of Catamarca, La Rioja and San Juan of Argentina, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. The regional capital Copiapó is located Template:Convert north of the country's capital of Santiago. The region occupies the southern portion of the Atacama Desert, the rest of the desert is mainly distributed among the other regions of Norte Grande. As a generalization south of Copiapó River the region is mostly semi-arid and north of it is a true desert. The inland area in the north also differs from the southern part by hosting active volcanoes part of the Central Volcanic Zone of Andes.
The region has a long tradition of mining that features a silver rush from 1832 to 1850 and a strong development of iron mining from 1952 to 1966. Besides silver and iron the region also hosts valuable reserves of gold, copper and lithium. Agriculture in the region is mainly restricted to the valleys of Copiapó and Huasco where irrigation is aided by the dams of Lautaro and Santa Juana respectively. Crops cultivated include table grapes, olives, alfalfa and pisco grapes.
Demography
The Atacama Region is the third least populated region of the country, after Aisén and Magallanes. Of its total population, over 50% are located in the cities of Copiapó and Vallenar.
The largest cities are (2017 census data) Copiapó (150,804 inhabitants), Vallenar (45,298), Caldera (15,547), Chañaral (11,073), El Salvador (6,032) Tierra Amarilla (9,857), and Diego de Almagro (7,223).[1]
History
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The original inhabitants of this area were the Diaguitas and Changos.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
The region experienced a boom when the Chañarcillo silver mine was discovered by Juan Godoy in 1832.[2]
Natural features
Much of the region is desert, and encompasses considerable mineral resources.[3] Numerous flora and fauna species are found in the Atacama Region. One subspecies of the lesser rhea, known by the scientific name Rhea pennata tarapacensis, is a notable large terrestrial bird in this region, which subspecies is considered endangered. The diminished numbers of this bird are due to prehistoric and modern hunting but more significantly due to agricultural land conversion in order to feed the expanding human population.
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Laguna Verde
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Desert in bloom
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Llamas in the desert
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Rainbow Valley
The geology of the region has four metallogenetic belts where deposits of valuable metals are found. From west to east these belts are the Atacama Fault System (copper and iron), the Inca de Oro Belt (silver, gold), the West Fissure System (copper) and lastly the Maricunga Belt (gold) close to the Argentine border.[4] The Chilean Iron Belt largely follows the Atacama Fault System.[5][6]
Economy
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Mining accounts for 41%[7] of the region's GDP and 90% of its exports.Template:Fact Moreover, various geological surveys have identified new deposits.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". In Atacama Region medium and small-scale mining has a larger share of mining properties relative to large-scale mining that is dominant in the more northern regions of Tarapacá and Antofagasta.[8] The region's mining activity is centered on copper mining, but it host most of Chile's iron and gold mines. In Atacama Region there are numerous small-scale mines, which sell their output to ENAMI (the national mining company) for processing at its Paipote smelter. The region's main copper deposit is Candelaria, which produces around 200,000 tonnes per year and is controlled by Phelps Dodge, an international corporation.Template:Update inline The next in size is El Salvador, owned by CODELCO, with an annual output of around 81,000 tonnes. Both mines export through the port of Chañaral.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Over recent decades, fresh fruit also emerged as regional export item, when the Copiapó and Huasco valleys joined Chile’s fruit-growing boom. They enjoy a comparative advantage because, thanks to the sunny climate, fruit ripens earlier than in the rest of the country and reaches northern hemisphere markets first. Grapes are the main crop and, on a smaller scale, olives, tomatoes, peppers, onions, broad beans, citrus fruits, nectarines, apricots, oregano, and flowers. The region's organic wealth, its clear waters and sheltered bays, together with its entrepreneurial experience, favor the development of aquaculture. Species produced include the northern scallop, Japanese and Chilean oysters, abalone, turbot, algae, and different varieties of mussels. Other products with more value added include boned fish fillets, smoked and salted fish, roe, and fishburgers.
The unique weather conditions in the Atacama Desert, with extremely rare cloudy days, are ideal for solar power generation.[9] Many PV and CSP plants are being built in this area.[9]
See also
References
- Teresa Moreno and Wes Gibbons. 2007. The geology of Chile, Geological Society of London, 414 pages
External links
- Gobierno Regional de Atacama Official website Template:In lang
Template:Communes in Atacama Region Template:Atacama Region rivers and lakes Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Authority control
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ Teresa Moreno and Wes Gibbons. 2007
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- ↑ Template:Cite report
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