Calama

Calama is a city and commune in northern Chile, serving as the capital of El Loa Province in the Antofagasta Region. It is located in the Atacama Desert at an elevation of about 2,260 meters above sea level. The area is arid, with very low rainfall and a pronounced diurnal temperature variation.

Economy and role: Calama functions as a mining and service hub for northern Chile’s mineral sector. The nearby Chuquicamata copper mine is one of the largest open-pit copper mines in the world and has historically driven the city’s growth. In recent decades, mining operations have shifted toward underground extraction, influencing local employment, infrastructure, and planning.

Transportation and demographics: The city is a regional transportation hub, served by an airport with connections to major domestic destinations and linked by road to mining sites and the desert towns of the region. Calama is one of the region’s major urban centers, hosting administrative and commercial activities that support surrounding communities. The city also serves as a gateway for travelers visiting the broader Atacama Desert area, including San Pedro de Atacama, though Calama itself remains primarily industrial and urban in character.