Atacama Region

Atacama Region
Name	Atacama Region
Native name	Región de Atacama
Settlement type	Region
Coordinates	27, 22, S, 70...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Chile
Seat type	Capital
Seat	Copiapó
Leader title	Intendant
Leader name	Miguel Vargas Correa
Unit pref	Metric
Area total km2	75176.2
Population total	286168
Population as of	2017
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	CLT
Utc offset	−4
Timezone DST	CLST
Utc offset DST	−3
Website	[http://www.goreatacama.cl/ Official website]
Iso code	CL-AT
Blank name sec1	HDI (2019)
Blank info sec1	0.851, very high

Atacama Region. It is one of the sixteen administrative divisions of Chile, located in the northern part of the country. The region is named after the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, and its capital is the city of Copiapó. It is bordered by Antofagasta Region to the north, Coquimbo Region to the south, Argentina to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Geography

The region's terrain is dominated by the Andes mountain range in the east, the intermediate Central Depression, and the Coastal Cordillera near the Pacific Ocean. Notable geographical features include the Copiapó River valley, the Maricunga Salt flat, and the towering Ojos del Salado volcano on the border with Argentina. The Pan-American Highway runs through the region, connecting major settlements like Vallenar and Caldera, while the extensive coastline features ports such as Huasco.

Climate

The region is renowned for its arid climate, with the Atacama Desert creating some of the lowest precipitation records globally, particularly around the Yungay station. The coastal areas, influenced by the cold Humboldt Current, experience frequent camanchaca (coastal fog), which supports unique fog-dependent ecosystems. Inland, the climate becomes more extreme, with significant diurnal temperature variation in the Altiplano and the Puna de Atacama, while the higher altitudes of the Andes can receive snowfall.

History

The area was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples such as the Diaguita and the Inca before Spanish colonization in the 16th century. It gained prominence during the Chilean silver rush of the 19th century, centered on Chañarcillo, which spurred the growth of Copiapó and led to the construction of the Copiapó-Caldera railway, the first in South America. The region was formally incorporated into Chile following the War of the Pacific, which resolved territorial disputes with Bolivia and Peru over the Atacama border dispute.

Economy

Mining is the cornerstone of the regional economy, with major operations extracting copper at Candelaria mine and iron ore near Huasco, alongside significant gold and silver production. The port of Caldera is a vital export hub for minerals, while agriculture, focused on olive and grape cultivation, thrives in irrigated valleys like the Huasco Valley using water from the Huasco River. The region also benefits from astrotourism centered on observatories like La Silla Observatory and Tololo Inter-American Observatory.

Demographics

The population is primarily concentrated in urban centers such as Copiapó, Vallenar, and Caldera, with a significant portion having mixed Spanish and Diaguita ancestry. Recent decades have seen demographic shifts due to labor migration tied to mining projects operated by companies like CAP S.A. and Lundin Mining. Indigenous communities, including descendants of the Diaguita people, are recognized within the region, and the Roman Catholic Church remains the predominant religious institution.

Administration

The region is governed by an Intendant, appointed by the President of Chile, and the Regional Council of Atacama. For administrative purposes, it is divided into three provinces: Copiapó Province, Huasco Province, and Chañaral Province. Each province is further subdivided into communes, such as Diego de Almagro and Tierra Amarilla, which are governed by municipal authorities led by a mayor.

Category:Regions of Chile Category:Atacama Region Category:States and territories established in 1974