Copiapó

Where is Copiapó located?

Copiapó is a city and commune situated in northern Chile, lying approximately 65 kilometers east of the coastal town of Caldera. Positioned about 800 kilometres north of Santiago, the settlement rests in the valley of the Copiapó River and functions as the capital of both Copiapó Province and the Atacama Region.

How does the present-day economy function?

The city operates within a rich silver and copper mining district, serving as the central town for surrounding medium-scale mining operations while also attending to large-scale operations further afar. Although the San José Copper Mine has closed following its famous 2010 collapse and subsequent rescue of 33 trapped miners, the industry of copper and gold mining remains very important throughout the region.

What environmental and geographical factors shape the area?

Surrounded entirely by the Atacama Desert, the locality experiences an extremely arid desert climate receiving roughly 12 mm to 18.8 mm of annual rainfall. In the early 21st century, the local river has dried up in response to climate change and more severe droughts. Despite these dry conditions, the urban center supports a population of 168,831 inhabitants according to the 2024 census, with 96.2% of the populace residing in urban areas and 3.8% living in rural zones.