This city, with a population of more than 147,000 inhabitants, lies 807 km north of Santiago and 334 km from La Serena. It is located in the Río Copiapó valley, where it forms an oasis.

It has a warm climate all year round. Its national importance stems from the mining industry, which promotes economic development for the area as well as for the rest of Chile.

Tourist attractions include the Museo Regional, the Museo Mineralógico and other reminders of the past in the form of buildings and architectural works. One place where you will find a number of vestiges of the city’s mining past is Avenida Matta, where buildings and monuments have been erected in honor of the war heroes of the area, as well as the discoverer of the Chañarcillo silver mine.

The city was founded on December 8th, 1744, although its origins actually date back to before the arrival of the Spaniards in the area.