Antofagasta, Chile, is a port city in northern Chile and just a two day stop for me as I made my way south to Santiago. Everything I could think about now was getting to Santiago to plan my final and toughest assignment to get to Patagonia and hopefully Ushuaia.
I knew once I got to Santiago I would need to get my KTM Super Adventure serviced, new tires and also replace parts in my helmet if possible.
After one night in San Pedro de Atacama, I awoke to quite a gorgeous day, perhaps a little chilly, but I would take the sunshine any day. I spent a few hours looking around, and it was a pretty impressive spot.
To Antofagasta, Chile
But it was time to move on. I would travel via Ruta 23, Ruta 25 and Panamericana Norte/Ruta 5 on my way to Antofagasta.
I would travel mostly through Calama, the desert city of Sierra Gorda and also the small mining town of Mantos Blancos. But, there was not much to see along the route.
Antofagasta, Chile
Antofagasta is a port city in northern Chile, about 1,100 kilometres (700 mi) north of Santiago. It is the capital of Antofagasta Province and Antofagasta Region. According to the 2012 census, the city has a population of 345,420.
According to the 2012 census, the city has a population of 345,420.
Formerly part of Bolivia, Antofagasta was captured by Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879–83), and the transfer of sovereignty was finalized in the 1904 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two countries.
The city of Antofagasta is closely linked to mining activity, being a major mining area of the country.
The last decade has seen a steady growth in the areas of construction, retail, hotel accommodations, population growth, and remarkable skyline development.
Antofagasta has the highest GDP per capita of Chile, 37,000 USD and the 3rd place for Human Development Index just after Metropolitana de Santiago Region and Magallanes and Antártica Chilena Region. From Wikipedia