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Taltal

Taltal
City and Commune
Coat of arms
Coat of arms
Map of Taltal commune in Antofagasta Region
Map of Taltal commune in Antofagasta Region
Location in Chile
Location in Chile
Taltal
Location in Chile
Coordinates: 25°17′S 69°46′W / 25.283°S 69.767°W / -25.283; -69.767Coordinates: 25°17′S 69°46′W / 25.283°S 69.767°W / -25.283; -69.767
Country  Chile
Region  Antofagasta
Province Antofagasta
Established 12 July 1858
Government
 • Type Municipality
 • Alcalde Sergio Belmor Orellana Montejo (PRSD)
Area
 • Total 20,405.1 km2 (7,878.5 sq mi)
Elevation 2,098 m (6,883 ft)
Population (2012 Census)
 • Total 11,132
 • Density 0.55/km2 (1.4/sq mi)
 • Urban 9,564
 • Rural 1,536
Sex
 • Men 6,182
 • Women 4,918
Time zone CLT (UTC−4)
 • Summer (DST) CLST (UTC−3)
Area code(s) 56 + 55
Website Municipality of Taltal

Taltal is a Chilean commune and city in Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta Region. According to the 2012 census, the commune has a population of 11,132 and has an area of 20,405.1 km2 (7,878 sq mi). The commune is home to Paranal Observatory and includes the northern portion of Pan de Azúcar National Park.

The etymological origin of the name is the Mapudungun word Thalthal, which means “night bird.”

The history of Taltal begins with the opening of the copper mine "El Cobre" by José Antonio Moreno in 1850 about 20 kilometers north of Taltal. This brought miners and prospectors to the area. In 1855 Moreno expanded his operations to include Taltal. The discovery of copper in 1858 on nearby Mount Cachiyuyal increased pressure on the port, which had to utilize customs officials from Copiapo. So Moreno requested official recognition of the port which was granted by decree on 12 July 1858.

However, the real boom began in 1876 with the opening of nitrate mines, in particular potassium nitrate. In 1879, the first nitrates were shipped from the area. In 1882 a railway was completed from Cachinal de la Sierra and other nitrate mining sites. It was built by the "Taltal Railway Company", a British company, sold to private investors in 1954, and dismantled in 1970 due to the end of nitrate mining. At the peak of production in the 1930s, Taltal had a population of over 30,000 and was the third largest nitrate port in Chile.

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Taltal had 11,000 inhabitants (6,182 men and 4,918 women). Of these, 9,564 (86%) lived in urban areas and 1,536 (14%) in rural areas. The population grew by 2.3% (11,148 persons) between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.

As a commune, Taltal is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years. The 2008-2012 alcalde is Guillermo Hidalgo Ocampo.


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