Antofagasta

For the copper-mining company named after the region, see Antofagasta plc.

Antofagasta is a port city in northern Chile, and is the capital of both Antofagasta Province and Antofagasta Region. It has a population of 320,000 (2002).

Founded between 1866 and 1874, Antofagasta was originally part of Bolivia but passed into Chilean hands on 14 February 1879 when it was occupied by Chilean troops, marking the beginning of the War of the Pacific.

Antofagasta lies in the Atacama Desert, one of the most arid regions of the world. Annual rainfall in the city averages less than 4 mm, and there was a period of 40 years when no rain fell at all.