Caldera, Chile

Caldera is a small seaport in Copiapó Province, in northern Chile. Located in the Atacama Region, 75 km (47 mi) to the west of Copiapó, Caldera covers 4,666 sq km (1,801 sq mi) and has a population of 14,000.

Desert blooms in Caldera, Chile
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2005.11.08_021_Flor_Caldera_Chile.jpg
Author: Herman Luyken
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Similar to other seaports in Northern Chile, Caldera was founded for the purpose of exporting minerals extracted from the region. The area was first visited by English buccaneer Edward Davis in 1687. The town itself was established in 1850 in anticipation of the railway line which was being constructed to link it with Copiapó.

Caldera suffered earthquakes and tsunamis, the same with many of the cities in Chile. This happened in 1868, 1877 and 1922. The economy of Caldera was traditionally dependent on the export of minerals, chiefly copper. While this is still happening today, it has declined from the early part of the 20th century, and the town has since diversified, to include citrus farming, fishing and tourism. The area has nice beaches that attract domestic tourists from the main cities of Chile.

Orbicular Granite Nature Sanctuary near Caldera, Chile
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2005.11.08_005_Granito_Orbicular_Caldera_Chile.jpg
Author: Herman Luyken
photo licensing

Visiting Caldera

Take a bus from Antofagasta or Santiago to reach Caldera.

Sights & Attractions in Caldera

Bahía Inglesia (English Bay)
One of the most beautiful beaches in Chile today, this bay was probably named after the English buccaneer (aka pirate) Edward Davis who arrived there in 1687.
Iglesia de San Vicente de Paul
The main and oldest church in town, built in 1862 in the Neo-Gothic style.
Museo Palaeontológico
Housed in the town's old railway station from 1850, the museum displays prehistoric artifacts, including the fossilized skull of a whale.
Santuario de la Naturaleza Granito Orbicular (Orbicular Granite Nature Sanctuary)
A protected area with unusual rock formations.
Terminal Pesquero (Fishermen's Wharf)
This is the harbor and market where the freshest seafood are sold and served.

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Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

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