Pica, Desert oasis town in Tamarugal Province, Chile
Pica is an oasis town in Chile's Atacama Desert, situated at about 1,100 meters elevation and surrounded by green gardens amid the dryness. The town has warm hot springs and provides lodging along with basic services for visitors.
The town rose to prominence during silver mining at nearby Huantajaya between 1718 and 1790. After the War of the Pacific, the region became part of Chile and the town shifted away from mining.
The town is known for its traditional citrus farming, particularly the acidic Limón de Pica grown in gardens around the oasis. This fruit is deeply rooted in regional cooking and shapes the character of daily life here.
Visitors can enjoy the hot springs with water temperatures around 40°C and find lodging and shops for daily needs. The dry climate requires plenty of water and sun protection when outdoors.
The area uses an ancient irrigation system called socavones, consisting of underground water channels that have enabled farming in the desert for centuries. This system remains functional today and shows remarkable adaptation to the harsh environment.
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