Antofagasta

Antofagasta is a port city in northern Chile and the capital of the Antofagasta Region. It lies on the Pacific coast within the Atacama Desert, some 1,000 kilometers north of Santiago. The city serves as a major commercial and industrial hub for northern Chile and has a desert climate with cool sea temperatures due to the Humboldt Current.

Antofagasta was founded in 1868 to support the nitrate industry in the Salar del Atacama. It grew rapidly as a nitrate boomtown whose port handled mineral exports and cargo. In the War of the Pacific (1879–1884), Chilean forces seized the Bolivian port and the city became part of Chile, strengthening the country’s access to the Pacific.

Today the economy centers on mining and export facilities, with copper mining and associated supply services playing a major role in the surrounding region. The port of Antofagasta remains one of northern Chile’s important maritime gateways for mineral shipments. The city also supports services, fishing, and light manufacturing.

Notable features include La Portada, a natural coastal arch near the city and a symbol of Antofagasta; desert landscapes, beaches, and a growing cultural scene. The city is home to higher education institutions such as Universidad Católica del Norte and Universidad de Antofagasta.

Antofagasta hosts a diverse population, with residents drawn from other parts of Chile and from neighboring countries. It serves as a regional center for commerce, industry, and culture in northern Chile.