Copiapó, Chile

Chapel of Candelaria, Copiapó, Chile
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Capilla_candelaria_1.JPG
Author: Cotoravg


Copiapó is the capital of Copiapó Province and Atacama Region in northern Chile. It is locate on the banks of the Copiapó River, about 75 km from the ocean, at Caldera.

Copiapó was founded in 1744, and was originally called San Francisco de la Selva de Copiapó, meaning "St Francis of the Forest of Copiapó". As with other settlements in the area, was established due to silver and copper mining. It was the northernmost city in Chile until the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), when Chile extended its area north to include cities such as Antofagasta and Iquique.

Mining is the main form of economic activity in Copiapó and still is today. On 5 August 2010, the city made the world news for a calamity with a happy ending, when a cave-in at the 121-year-old San José copper-and-gold mine trapped 33 miners underground for a record 69 days, until they were eventually rescued.

Museo Regional de Atacama, Copiapó
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Museo_regional_atacama.JPG
Author: Sfs90

Visiting Copiapó

There are regular buses from Antofagasta, Iquique and Arica from the north, and from La Serena and Santiago from the south. However, to properly explore the city, it is best that you have your own transport.

Sights & Attractions in Copiapó

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