Travelling Through The North Of Chile

Chile is a place of contrasts, not only by the diversity of its geography, but by the landscapes and climates that can be found travel through its territory. From the Norte Grande (Big North), linked to the Atacama Desert (Atacama Desert or the Atacama Desert). From Putre in the highlands in northern Chile (Chilean Altiplano), to contemplate the Chungara Lake and the Lauca National Park, National Reserve Vicuñas, San Pedro de Atacama and the Salar of the same name, lies a wide spectrum of colors drawn in the landscape, a dry atmosphere, cold nights and warm afternoons.The the Atacama Desert is by its geographic and morphological condition, an area rich in minerals, ores, here we find Chuquicamata Mine which develops its mining operations in this area considered the largest copper deposit in the world. The mine is located in the Region II or region of Antofagasta, Calama and some more than 62.14 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama. The city of Calama remains an important pole of development of mining and the point of welcoming all those tourists wishing to visit San Pedro de Atacama, due to the presence of the airport of the city. San Pedro de Atacama is one of the inescapable at the scene of the Chilean tourism. It is important to note that this whole area, including the coastal cities of Arica, Iquique and Antofagasta are areas of great importance mining and thriving tourism activity. Prepare to be surprised not only by the Atacama Desert and San Pedro de Atacama, but the various lesser known sites that travel can be found in this area, from north to south: Azapa Valley (Azapa Valley or Azapa Valley) , Lluta Valley (Lluta Valley or Lluta Valley), Parinacota, Pica and Mamiña, the Shrine of Tirana (Santuario de La Tirana), saltpetre Humberstone (Salitrera of Humberstone) the border town of Ollagüe, Toconao and the Quebrada de Jerez de la Frontera (Quebrada de Jerez), where you can find fruit trees such as apples and pears, figs and Toconce in one of many oases is at the dry zone landscape.Perhaps the least known in Chile is to Antofagasta up Copiapo which for many includes part of Chile's Norte Grande (Big North). The existence of different weather systems gives a unique identity in this territory. From Southern Chañaral to Antofagasta, along the coast, we are in the presence of warmer temperatures, more pleasant that the area between Arica and Iquique. We can find incredibly beautiful beaches such English Bay (English Bay) and Caldera, where the water is turquoise and white sands. Heading the center, for the mountain area, are the major cities like Copiapo and Vallenar. Near Copiapo is Nevado Tres Cruces National Park (National Park Nevado Tres Cruces) and the strange and mysterious Salar de Maricunga. The National Park Llanos de Challe is also in this area, near Huasco by the side of the coast. Almost on the border between North Grande Big or Small North.The North (Norte Chico) To the south, we arrived in the area of green valleys with landscapes, but still with a great influence desert, standing out mainly in La Serena and Coquimbo more specifically the Elqui Valley (Valle de Elqui), where you can see the clear skies over the southern hemisphere and in the view of many of the world. An area with more than 300 clear days a year they have made possible the founding of astronomical centres around the world reputation, as the Paranal Observatory, and Cerro Tololo, and recently, an observatory based in the town of Vicuna, Mamalluca . This whole area is called the Little North, with more pleasant temperatures at night, if we compare with the Great North. The area of Norte Chico or small Northern Chile has charming scenes composed of small towns interesting as those in the area of Valle de Elqui, Vicuna, Pisco Elqui, Monte Grande, and Cochiguaz Alcohuaz, among others. Most of the towns they live mainly in agriculture, most of them cultivate the vine, providing grapes for the manufacture of pisco liquor typical of Chile, used as a main ingredient of the most typical of Chile coctels. La Serena, on the other hand, and also Coquimbo, two poles is very important for tourism because it is located on the coast of the Northern Zone Small (Norte Chico), has quiet beaches well protected from the navy and cold air. Some beaches can be found in the area are as follows: Totoralillo, The TAC, Guanaqueros, Puerto Velero, Playa Blanca and Tongoy.Andacollo it is a small city that fame is due to the shrine dedicated to the figure of the Virgin of Andacollo and festivals that take place once a year in his honor. Nearly Andacollo, is also the Monument Natural Pichasca, Rio Hurtado, near (Rio Hurtado). Going down to the south is Ovalle, an agricultural area. Less than 1 hour from Ovalle find Fray Jorge National Park (National Park Fray Jorge), famous for its flora, fauna and archaeological finds. Monte Patria, La Paloma Dam (Dam La Paloma), Punitaqui, Combarbalá are also small towns near Ovalle. If you head south is Illapel and off the coast of the small town of Los Vilos, Salamanca is also another area in the small North (Norte Chico), and is commonly recognized as the city of the Wizards, but there is no a clear explanation of this name, in addition to the popular belief. Nearly Illapel, is the National Reserve chinchillas. Since Vilos the coast, small coastal towns can be seen, whose livelihood, in addition to fishing, se basa en el turismo, which can include Punta de Lobos, Pichidangui, Molles, Pichicuy, among others.
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