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With
a
moderate and never too
hot or cold
climate, Iquique shows grand mansions of the mineral barons in contrast with modern buildings
and miles of golden sand.
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HISTORY
In 1835 the city’s population was only 5000, made up mostly of workers within
the saltpeter industry and port laborers. As the nitrate industry grew, so did
the population. The nitrate industry was an intrical reason for Iquique’s
growth and wealth during the 1800’s. The Peruvians occupied Iquique until the
War of the Pacific in 1879. During that year Chilean forces landed north of the
area and defeated the Peruvian army subsequently laying claim to the city. The
saltpeter industry prospered for forty years following Chile’s claim to the
territory. Due to the growth of the export industry of saltpeter and
nitrate,
Iquique experienced an architectural makeover.
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Fishing later supplanted the
saltpeter industry as the primary industry of Iquique. The first cannery was
established in 1935 and the first fishmeal plant in 1950. Today, Iquique is a
thriving city with a flourishing trade and colonial style architecture. In 1975
the establishment of a duty free zone was made, thus transforming it into one of
Chile’s most prosperous cities. The city is recognized as one of the Norte
Grande’s largest ports.
The city’s population is in excess of 140,000 inhabitants.
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PLACES OF INTEREST |
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Regional
Museum
The museum is
set in the city’s former courthouse and displays a collection of pre-Columbian
artifacts and Indian ceramics. View the
archaelogical exhibits offering an
insight to the city's existence.
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Astoreca
Palace
Built in 1904,
the mansion is reflective of the wealth the area earned from the nitrate
industry. While touring inside the mansion you will see the elaborate woodwork,
stained glass windows and high ceilings throughout the elegant house. The
mansion has its original furniture and its collection of paintings.
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Naval
Museum
The colonial
style customhouse was built in 1871. The customhouse once belonged to
Peru
during the War of the Pacific. During this time the Peruvians incarcerated
prisoners from the battle of Iquique within the building. An interesting point
to note is the building was originally constructed to be the gate into the city.
The naval museum located next door contains exhibits of the Iquique Sea Battle
and other historical events that took place during the city’s history.
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Ancient
Aboriginal Art: The
Pintados Geoglyphs
You will drive along the Pan-American Highway through the town of Pozo Almonte, once an
important oasis in the surrounding desert. You can see the Tamarugal Forest, a natural
forest reserve of tamarugo trees that appears as quite a surprise in the arid
landscape. Finally, thirty miles further down the Highway, you will reach the Pintados
Geoglyphs, one of the largest displays of ancient aboriginal art. Over 60,000
square yards of hill slopes are decorated by more than 400 figures depicting
humans, animals, birds and abstract shapes, isolated or arranged into thematic
groups. The Geoglyphs are estimated to date from AD 1000 to 1400.
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ACTIVITY |
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Make
questions corresponding to the highlighted sentences. Real answers have
been highlighted IN PINK. |
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