Discover Antofagasta by Hire Car
The Chilean city of Antofagasta is located in the arid north of the country, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, not far from one of the driest deserts on earth, the Atacama.
The city has a population of just over 300,000 and is located 1,400 kilometers from Chile’s capital, Santiago de Chile.
The name “Antofagasta” comes from the Quechua Indian language, it translates to “city on the great salt lake”. Despite the proximity to the Atacama, the climate in the coastal city is pleasant, only in the Chilean summer it can get very warm.
Business Location Antofagasta
Antofagasta is a comparatively young city founded in 1870 as a site for mining the raw material saltpetre, which was of great importance to the Chilean economy at the time.
Today the city, which lies on the famous Panamericana road, is still an important mining centre. Only now copper and nitrate are mined, which are loaded in the port of Antofagasta and shipped all over the world.
Exploring the surroundings of Antofagasta
The city is well suited as a starting point for excursions into the desert, for which it is best to hire car to be able to explore the beauties of the Atacama. Antofagasta also has two very picturesque beaches, but their waters are rather cool due to the Humboldt Current flowing by.
Don’t miss the fresh seafood offered in the city’s restaurants, accompanied by Chile’s native drink, Pisco Sour.
hire car price comparison Antofagasta
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