Atacama Region, Administrative region in northern Chile.
The Atacama Region sits in northern Chile and covers three provinces from the Pacific coast to the Andean highlands. The terrain shifts between barren coastal strips, wide valleys and high mountain ranges, while parts of the driest desert on Earth shape the interior landscape.
Silver discoveries at Chañarcillo in 1832 brought miners and merchants into the remote valleys and triggered a mining rush. The opening of iron and copper deposits in the late 19th century changed the economy permanently and encouraged the development of ports and connecting roads.
The native Diaguita and Chango peoples established the first settlements in the region, developing specialized techniques for desert agriculture and mineral extraction.
The Pan-American Highway crosses the administrative area and connects cities like Copiapó and Vallenar with the rest of the country. Travelers should carry water supplies and be prepared for long stretches between fuel stations and supply points.
Observatories use the clear air and low light pollution for astronomical observations possible at few places worldwide. Flowering desert sections transform into colorful carpets of wildflowers for a short time after rare rainfalls.
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