San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama, Desert oasis town in Antofagasta Region, Chile
Description
San Pedro de Atacama is a settlement in northern Chile built from clay bricks and surrounded by dry highland terrain. The streets are unpaved and low buildings line the few main routes through this arid environment.
History
The region was home to the Atacameño people for centuries before coming under Chilean control during the war of 1879 to 1884. The shift in ownership altered border patterns across the South American highlands.
Culture
The R.P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum exhibits a collection of ancient artifacts, ceramics, and tools from pre-Columbian desert cultures.
Practical
Travelers arrive through a connection from the airport in Calama, which lies around ninety minutes away. The climate is dry and the altitude can require adjustment, so a slow start after arrival helps.
Did you know?
Observatories in the area use the low humidity and nearly constant clear weather for research. The region ranks as one of the best locations worldwide for watching stars because artificial light is absent.
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Chile stretches over 2,670 miles (4,300 kilometers) from north to south, crossing some of South America's most varied landscapes. The north features the Atacama Desert with its salt flats, geysers at El Tatio, and astronomical observatories such as Paranal. The coastal city of Valparaíso displays...
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