Caldera (Chile)

Caldera is a seaport in the small northern Chile in the Atacama region. It has 14,000 inhabitants (as of 2003).

Geography and climate

Caldera is located about 75 kilometers west of Copiapo on the Pacific.

The climate is dry, due to the proximity to the Atacama Desert.

History

1687 reached the Englishman Edward Davis Playa Bahía Inglesa (translated: English beach ) on the coast about 6 km from Caldera, 1840 visited Englishman William Wheelwright of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, the area around the caldera. At his suggestion, the first railway line was built in 1851 from Copiapo to Caldera. Caldera became an important port of export of ores.

The town was officially founded on 23 September 1850.

The city was frequently hit by severe earthquakes and tsunamis, the last quake was in 1868, 1877 and 1922.

Attractions

Destinations are the San Vicente de Paul Church in 1862, the cave Padre Negro. The Cave of 1978 was designed by Father Velasquez with biblical motifs. The Playa Bahía Inglesa is suitable as a beach.

Eleven miles north is the Santuario de la Naturaleza Granito orbicular in the rock can be observed from spherical granite. 30 km north of the National Park Pan de Azucar lies with cloud forests and Humboldt penguins.

Economy

The city lives mainly from copper mining and the cultivation of citrus fruits, which are shipped across the harbor. The fishing and tourism also play an important role. The beaches attract many visitors.

Gallery

Granite ball

Blooming Desert in 2005

Blooming Desert in 2005