Iquique

An oasis aside the Atacama Desert, where the giant Dragon Hill dunes loom in the background, Iquique is bathed in the blue water of the Pacific. Its rich multicultural identity comes to life in a mixture of languages, traditions, foods, religions and celebrations. More extraordinary are the vast ecosystems that soar from its coastal range to more than 3,800 meters with fertile and arid lands in between. Monumental Pintados Geoglyphs (the largest display of aboriginal figures of animals, humans and birds) lead to sky-high salt flats where flamingos, alpacas and llamas make their home. In the 19th century, Iquique was the undisputed leader of saltpeter mining (nitrate) but today parasailing has surpassed prospecting and the area attracts a constant cultural mix of visitors who are drawn to its beaches and excellent surf spots.