Caldera, Port city in Atacama Region, Chile
Caldera sits on the Pacific coast at the edge of the Atacama Desert, with breakwaters protecting its harbor from strong ocean currents. The city spreads in a compact layout with a main square that serves as an orientation point for visitors.
Chile's first railway line was constructed in 1851, connecting Caldera to Copiapó and establishing the city as a major mineral export hub. This connection made it a center of economic activity during the mining boom.
The cemetery established in 1876 displays mausoleums built by English craftsmen and tombstones of Carrara marble, representing Chile's first secular burial ground. These monuments reflect the city's importance during the mining prosperity of the 1800s.
The city can be explored entirely on foot, with good paths connecting most points of interest. Visitors should prepare for intense sun and bring plenty of water, especially when exploring the dry areas nearby.
North of the city lies a nature sanctuary with unusual granite displaying spherical patterns in the rock surface. This geological feature develops through slow erosion of granite blocks and is rarely seen elsewhere.
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