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Calama, Chile

Calama
City and Commune
Flag
Flag
Coat of arms
Coat of arms
Map of the Calama commune in Antofagasta Region
Map of the Calama commune in Antofagasta Region
Location in Chile
Location in Chile
Calama
Location in Chile
Coordinates (city): 22°28′S 68°56′W / 22.467°S 68.933°W / -22.467; -68.933Coordinates: 22°28′S 68°56′W / 22.467°S 68.933°W / -22.467; -68.933
Country  Chile
Region  Antofagasta
Province El Loa
Government
 • Type Municipality
 • Alcalde Esteban Velásquez Núñez
Area
 • Total 15,596.9 km2 (6,022.0 sq mi)
Elevation 2,260 m (7,410 ft)
Population (2012)
 • Total 147,886
 • Density 9.5/km2 (25/sq mi)
 • Urban 136,600
 • Rural 1,802
Demonym(s) Calamenian
Sex
 • Male 70,832
 • Female 67,570
Time zone CLT (UTC−4)
 • Summer (DST) CLST (UTC−3)
Postal code 1399001
Climate BWk
Website Official website (Spanish)

Calama is a city and commune in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. It is the capital of El Loa Province, part of the Antofagasta Region. Calama is one of the driest cities in the world with average annual precipitation of just 5 mm (0.20 in). The River Loa, Chile's longest, flows through the city. Calama has a population of 147,886 (2012 census).

The commune also encompasses the Quechuas communities of Estación San Pedro, and Cupo; and the Lickan-antay communities of Taira, Conchi Viejo, Lasana, San Francisco de Chiu Chiu, Aiquina-Turi, and Caspana.

At an elevation of 2,260 m (7,400 ft), Calama is the gateway to the geological and archaeological wonders of Chile’s high central desert. Some of these places of interest include: the town of Chuquicamata, the village of San Pedro de Atacama, Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), the Licancabur volcano, R. P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum, Los Flamencos National Reserve, the Aguas Calientes Salt Flat, the Tuyajto lagoon, the El Tatio Geysers, the village of Chiu-Chiu.


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