Teatro Municipal, IquiqueSource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Iquique_theater.jpg
Author: Fabolu
Iquique is a port city and coastal town in northern Chile. It is also the capital of Iquique Provinde and Tarapacá Region. The town is located to the west of the Atacama Desert. It covers 2,835.3 sq km (1,094 sq mi) and has a population of 216,000 (2011 estimate).
The area around Iquique has been inhabited for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. The tribe living here were the Chango people. Iquique was established following the discovery of various minerals in the Atacama Desert, and it serves as a port for the explore of the extracted ore.
Iquique was originally part of Peruvian territory until the War of the Pacific of 1879. Although it was largely fought between Bolivia and Chile, the outcome of the war was in Chile's favor, for it annexed large portions belonging to Bolivia and Peru, including the town of Iquique.
Palacio Iquique, IquiqueSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palacio_Astoreca_Iquique.JPG
Author: Mircalla22

With its history going back to the 19th century, Iquique has an old town with several fine buildings of post-colonial architecture, especially when it prospered from the wealth generated by the mines. Although mining is now a distant past, the buildings it helped to built are still standing today.
Torre Reloj, IquiqueSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PlazaIquique.jpg
Author: Carlos yo

Today Iquique has reinvented itself as a coastal resort town, cashing in on tourism with its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, and the availability of several good beaches. It has a growing number of high-rise condominiums and resorts, but the town is also getting more congested and polluted as a result.
Visiting Iquique
You can fly from Santiago to Iquique, landing at the Diego Aracena International Airport (IQQ). There are also flights from Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.
Places of Interest in Iquique
- Avenida Baquedano
Throughfare with some of the finest buildings of Iquique, built from nitrate-generated wealth.
- Casino Español
Casino built in 1904 in the Moorish style.
- Mall Zofri
The biggest shopping mall in Iquique, located in the city's tax-free zone.
- Palacio Astoreca
A fabulous 27-room wooden mansion in British Georgian style belonging to a nitrate magnate, built in 1903.
- Plaza Arturo Prat
The town square, located in the heart of Iquique
- Playa Cavancha
The main beach in Iquique is a long stretch of golden sand dotted with a number of attractions including Casino de Iquique, Parque Temático (a family-oriented theme park) and a hotel and restaurant precinct.
- Teatro Municipal
Magnificent Neo-Classical structure built in 1890 when Iquique was awashed with nitrate wealth.
- Torre Reloj
Clock tower at Plazq Arturo Prat, built by the English community of Iquique, comprises three tapering tiers.
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