Introduction of Iquique

Iquique is a key copper exporting port city and commune in northern Chile, capital of both the Iquique province and Tarapacá region. It lies on the Pacific coast, west of the Atacama Desert and the Pampa del Tamarugal. It had a population of 180,601 according to the 2012 census.

Copper mining, mainly in Quebrada Blanca, Cerro Colorado, and Dona Ines de Collahuasi, is an important industry in Iquique.

Iquique has a rare mild desert climate with low extremes of temperatures all year round and almost no rainfall.

Live report: Magnitude 8.2 quake off Chile sparks tsunami warning