Caldera, Chile

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox settlement  |official_name = Caldera |other_name = |native_name =  |settlement_type = [[List of cities in Chile|City]] and [[Communes of Chile|Commune]] |image_skyline = File:Caldera-mozaico.jpg |image_caption = Port of Caldera |image_flag = |flag_alt = Flag |image_shield = Caldera logo.JPG |shield_alt = Coat of arms |image_map = Txu-oclc-224571178-sg19-13.jpg |map_caption = Caldera's urban hinterland. |map_alt = Caldera's urban hinterland. |pushpin_map = Chile | pushpin_map_narrow = yes |pushpin_label_position = bottom |pushpin_map_caption = Location in Chile |coordinates_footnotes = |coor_pinpoint = city |subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Chile}} | subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Chile|Region]] | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Atacama}} |subdivision_type2 = [[Provinces of Chile|Province]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Copiapó Province]] | government_footnotes = <ref name="Official">{{Cite web |url = http://www.caldera.cl |title=Municipality of Caldera | accessdate=27 January 2011|language=es}}</ref><ref name="Munitel">{{Cite web |url = http://www.caldera.cl |title=Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades | accessdate=27 January 2011|language=es}}</ref> | government_type = [[Municipality]] | leader_title = [[Alcalde]] | leader_party = [[Party for Democracy (Chile)|PPD]] | leader_name = Brunilda González |established_title = |established_date = |unit_pref = Metric |area_footnotes = <ref name="INE">{{cite web |url= http://www.ine.cl/canales/chile_estadistico/censos_poblacion_vivienda/censo_pobl_vivi.php |title= National Statistics Institute |accessdate=8 September 2010|language=es}}</ref> |area_total_km2 = 4666.6 |population_as_of = 2012 Census |population_footnotes = <ref name="INE"/> |population_rank = |population_total = 16150 |population_density_km2 = auto |population_blank1_title = [[Urban area|Urban]] |population_blank1 = 13540 |population_blank2_title = Rural |population_blank2 = 194 |demographics_type1 = Sex |demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="INE"/> |demographics1_title1 = Men |demographics1_info1 = 7,237 |demographics1_title2 = Women |demographics1_info2 = 6,497 |timezone = [[Time in Chile|CLT]] | utc_offset = −4 |timezone_DST = [[Time in Chile|CLST]] | utc_offset_DST = −3 |coordinates = {{coord|27|04|S|70|50|W|region:CL-AT|display=inline,title}} |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m = 44 |postal_code_type = |postal_code = |area_code = +56 52 |website = [http://www.caldera.cl/ Municipality of Caldera] ''(in Spanish)'' |footnotes = }} '''Caldera''' is a port [[List of cities in Chile|city]] and commune in the [[Copiapó Province]] of the [[Atacama Region]] in northern [[Chile]]. It has a harbor protected by breakwaters, being the port city for the productive mining district centering on [[Copiapó]] to which it is connected by the first railroad constructed in Chile.

==Geography and climate==

Caldera lies about {{convert|75|km|0|abbr=on}} west of Copiapó on the Pacific. The climate is mostly warm and extremely dry, because of its location on the [[Atacama]] desert's coast, but the temperatures are moderated by the cooling sea currents. However, lately the climate has become colder due to the climatic change. The commune spans an area of {{convert|4666.6|sqkm|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="INE"/>

{{Weather box|width=auto |metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Caldera |Jan high C = 23.3 |Feb high C = 23.5 |Mar high C = 22.1 |Apr high C = 20.0 |May high C = 18.3 |Jun high C = 17.0 |Jul high C = 16.5 |Aug high C = 16.8 |Sep high C = 17.5 |Oct high C = 18.7 |Nov high C = 20.3 |Dec high C = 21.9 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 19.7 |Feb mean C = 19.7 |Mar mean C = 18.5 |Apr mean C = 16.6 |May mean C = 14.9 |Jun mean C = 13.3 |Jul mean C = 13.0 |Aug mean C = 13.2 |Sep mean C = 14.0 |Oct mean C = 15.1 |Nov mean C = 16.8 |Dec mean C = 18.4 | year mean C = |Jan low C = 16.2 |Feb low C = 16.3 |Mar low C = 15.2 |Apr low C = 13.6 |May low C = 11.9 |Jun low C = 10.0 |Jul low C = 9.8 |Aug low C = 10.0 |Sep low C = 10.8 |Oct low C = 12.0 |Nov low C = 13.4 |Dec low C = 15.0 | year low C = |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 0.1 |Feb precipitation mm = 0.0 |Mar precipitation mm = 0.0 |Apr precipitation mm = 1.2 |May precipitation mm = 3.6 |Jun precipitation mm = 8.2 |Jul precipitation mm = 5.6 |Aug precipitation mm = 3.7 |Sep precipitation mm = 0.9 |Oct precipitation mm = 1.3 |Nov precipitation mm = 0.8 |Dec precipitation mm = 0.4 |year precipitation mm = | Jan humidity = 76 | Feb humidity = 77 | Mar humidity = 79 | Apr humidity = 80 | May humidity = 82 | Jun humidity = 82 | Jul humidity = 82 | Aug humidity = 81 | Sep humidity = 81 | Oct humidity = 80 | Nov humidity = 78 | Dec humidity = 77 | year humidity = |source 1 = Bioclimatografia de Chile<ref>{{cite web | first1 = Ernst | last1 = Hajek | first2 = Francesco | url = http://www.ecolyma.cl/documentos/bioclimatografia_de_chile.pdf | title = Bioclimatografia de Chile | access-date = 27 May 2024 | last2 = Castri |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091122225453/http://www.ecolyma.cl/documentos/bioclimatografia_de_chile.pdf |archive-date = 22 November 2009 | language = es | year = 1975}}</ref> }}

==History== {{See also|1420 Caldera earthquake|Chilean silver rush}} On 31 August 1420, the territory where the city is currently located, was shaken by an [[1420 Caldera earthquake|8.8 to 9.4 mega-earthquake]], the first major earthquake recorded in the history of Chile.

In 1687, Englishman [[Edward Davis (buccaneer)|Edward Davis]] reached the [[Bahía Inglesa|''Playa Bahia Inglesa'']] {{convert|6|km|0|abbr=on}} south of Caldera. In 1840, [[William Wheelwright]] of the [[Pacific Steam Navigation Company]] visited the region of Caldera. On his proposal the first railway was created in the year of 1851 from Caldera to Copiapó. Its inauguration was on [[Christmas]] Day in 1851. Caldera became an important port for the exportation of minerals. The city itself was officially founded on 23 September 1850.

Concurrent with a surge of [[Copper_mining_in_Chile#History|copper mining in Chile]] a [[copper smelter]] was built in Caldera in 1853 and operated until about 1857. New copper smelters were built in the port in the 1880s and these were in operation until at least the 1920s before closure.<ref name=sistemaconstr>{{Cite journal |title=Sistema constructivo de una fundición de cobre del siglo XIX en Atacama, Chile|volume=33 |journal=Obras y Proyectos |last1=Nazer |first1=Amin |url=https://www.scielo.cl/article_plus.php?pid=S0718-28132023000100064&tlng=es&lng=es |last2=Oavez |first2=Osvaldo |trans-title=Construction system of a nineteenth-century copper smelter in Atacama, Chile|year=2023 |language=es |doi=10.21703/0718-281320233307|doi-access=free }}</ref> Today, these smelters survive as [[ruin]]s and are a site of study for [[industrial archaeology]].<ref name=sistemaconstr/>

The city has been struck by earthquakes and tsunamis several times, the major ones being that of [[1868 Arica earthquake|13 August 1868]], [[1877 Iquique earthquake|9 May 1877]] and [[1922 Vallenar earthquake|10 November 1922]]. During the [[1891 Chilean Civil War]], Caldera Bay outside the city became the site of the [[Battle of Caldera Bay]] where [[torpedo boat]]s loyal to [[Manuel Balmaceda]] sunk the rebel [[ironclad]] ''[[Chilean ironclad Blanco Encalada|Blanco Encalada]]''.

==Demographics== In 1903, 2,130 people lived in Caldera. According to the 2002 [[census]] of the [[National Statistics Institute (Chile)|National Statistics Institute]], Caldera had 13,734 inhabitants (7,237 men and 6,497 women). Of these, 13,540 (98.6%) lived in urban areas and 194 (1.4%) in [[rural area]]s. The population grew by 13.9% (1,673 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.<ref name="INE"/>

==Tourist attractions==

===Urban=== * '''Former Railway Station:''' The first in Chile, its construction dates back to 1850, with the beginnings of the works for the railway Caldera–Copiapó, the first railway station in Chile and the third one in South America. It was designed to house a complete train in order to protect valuable minerals brought from [[Chañarcillo]]. The walls were made of mud and reeds from [[Guayaquil]], with a wooden roof made of Oregon Pine. Inside it had a passenger platform and three load lines, all covered by a large shed 82 meters long by 32 meters wide. * '''Church of San Vicente de Paul:''' Built in 1862 in wood with a stone floor and a Gothic wooden tower. Inside there is an image of the Virgin of Sorrows, brought from [[Peru]] as spoils of war after the military campaigns during the [[War of the Pacific]]. * '''Cave of Padre Negro:''' A pilgrimage center built on a rock by the Colombian priest [[:es:Crisógono_Sierra_y_Velásquez|Crisógono Sierra y Velásquez]], known locally as ''Padre Negro'' (Spanish for "Black Father"). Inside there are murals by the painter Luis Enrique Cerda. * '''Municipal Cemetery of Caldera:''' The first secular cemetery in Chile, it was inaugurated on 20 September 1876. In its historical sector, mausoleums and tombs have cast iron structures made by English craftsmen and [[Carrara marble]] tombstones.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.laicismo.cl/cementerio.pdf |title=Primer Cementerio Laico en Chile |access-date=5 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129060433/http://www.laicismo.cl/cementerio.pdf |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.diarioatacama.cl/prontus4_nots/site/artic/20100715/pags/20100715110251.html "La Copiapó" está de fiesta en Caldera]</ref> * '''Tornini House Museum:''' a private museum, opened on 5 November 2010. It houses historical artifacts relating to the city-port of Caldera, the Constitutional Revolution (1859), the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), and the Italian immigration in the late nineteenth century. The property was built around 1875 by the Railway Administration Manager, Thomas Smith, and later purchased by Henry B. Beazley, British Consul to Copiapó, Caldera and Peru. On 14 October 1907 it was acquired by Bernardo Tornini Capelli, serving for some years as viceconsular seat of the [[Kingdom of Italy]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120210142516/http://www.portalpatrimonio.cl/noticias/5/ Casa Tornini, Museo – Centro Cultural: Un espacio para conocer y valorar el patrimonio cultural de Atacama]</ref>

===Rural=== {{See also|Cerro Ballena}} * '''Orbicular Granite Nature Sanctuary:''' This geological oddity is located 11 km North of Caldera. It is a formation of a small area, about 400 m2, with circular rock mineral scales on granite rocks, giving a peculiar appearance. Given the unusual nature the rock formation, it was declared a nature sanctuary in 1981 and is protected by conservation laws that apply to this type of landmark. * '''Bahía Inglesa:''' A resort located a short distance from Caldera (6 km), with its name meaning "English Bay". With a population of 135 inhabitants (2002 census), it is named for the visit made by the English pirate [[Edward Davis (buccaneer)|Edward Davis]]. It is known particularly for its white sands and warm waters, in addition to good infrastructure for receiving both domestic and foreign visitors. There are camping facilities, hotels, restaurants and summer houses that can be rented on the spot. In the bay is an underwater museum. * '''Playa La Virgen:''' A beach located 35 km south of ''Bahía Inglesa'' and 68 km west of Copiapó, which due to its white sand and warm waters has been considered the best beach in Chile for several years. Its name, meaning "Virgin Beach", is because on a road to the beach there is a rock which resembles the Virgin Mary. This beach has facilities for camping, parking, and has restaurants nearby.

==Economy== Mainstays of the economy are copper ore mining and cultivation of citrus plants which are exported from the port. Fishing and tourism also play an important role. The beaches attract many visitors.

The inland copper and gold mine of [[Candelaria mine|Candelaria]] uses the mechanized port of Punta Padrones in Caldera for its mineral export.<ref name=pmpuerto>{{Cite news |title=Puerto Punta Padrones de Candelaria cumple 31 años |date=2026-02-19 |url=https://www.portalminero.com/wp/puerto-punta-padrones-de-candelaria-cumple-31-anos/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |work=Portal Minero |language=es}}</ref> The port was established in 1995.<ref name=pmpuerto/>

==Administration== As a commune, Caldera is a third-level [[administrative division of Chile]] administered by a [[municipal council]], headed by an [[alcalde]] ([[mayor]]) who is directly elected every four years. Since 2016 mayor is Brunilda González ([[Party for Democracy (Chile)|PPD]]).

Within the [[electoral divisions of Chile]], Caldera is represented in the [[Chamber of Deputies of Chile|Chamber of Deputies]] by Mr. Alberto Robles ([[Social Democrat Radical Party|PRSD]]) and Mrs. Yasna Provoste ([[Christian Democratic Party of Chile|DC]]) as part of the 6th electoral district, (together with [[Tierra Amarilla, Chile|Tierra Amarilla]], [[Vallenar]], [[Freirina]], [[Huasco, Chile|Huasco]] and [[Alto del Carmen]]). The commune is represented in the [[Senate of Chile|Senate]] by [[Isabel Allende (politician)|Isabel Allende Bussi]] ([[Socialist Party of Chile|PS]]) and [[Baldo Prokurica|Baldo Prokurica Prokurica]] ([[National Renewal (Chile)|RN]]) as part of the 3rd senatorial constituency (Atacama Region). {{clear}}

==Gallery== <gallery align="center"> Image:Ferrocarril de Caldera 9.JPG|Inside of the Former Railway Station of Caldera. Image:Iglesia San Vicente de Paul, Caldera, Chile.JPG|San Vicente de Paul Church. Image:Bahia Inglesa.JPG|[[Bahía Inglesa]]. Image:Close-up on orbicular granite, Caldera, Chile.JPG|[[Orbicular granite]] from Orbicular Granite Nature Sanctuary. Image:2010desierto.jpg|El Morro, Caldera, during the time of ''Desierto Florido'' (Spanish for blossoming desert). Image:Gruta del Padre Negro, Caldera, Chile.JPG|Cave of Padre Negro. Image:Casa Tornini, Caldera, Chile.JPG|Tornini House Museum. </gallery>

== Sister cities == *{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Lules]], [[Argentina]]<ref>[http://www.diarioatacama.cl/impresa/2013/08/26/full/5/ Atacama destaca en la Expo Lules 2013 en Tucumán]</ref> *{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Villa Unión]], [[Argentina]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://caldera.cl/noticias/2014/octubre/villa/villa.html |title=Municipio de Caldera participó en Importante Encuentro de Integración en Argentina |access-date=5 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220063341/http://caldera.cl/noticias/2014/octubre/villa/villa.html |archive-date=20 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[General Lamadrid]], [[Argentina]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Wikivoyage|Caldera and Bahía Inglesa}} * {{in lang|es}} [http://www.caldera.cl/ Municipality of Caldera]

[[Category:Communes of Chile]] [[Category:Port settlements in Chile]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1850]] [[Category:Populated places in Copiapó Province]] [[Category:Coasts of Atacama Region]]