Iquique () is a port city and commune in northern Chile, capital of both the Iquique Province and Tarapacá Region. It lies on the Pacific coast, west of the Pampa del Tamarugal, which is part of the Atacama Desert. Its name comes from the Aymara language: "Iki Iki," meaning "land of dreams." It has a population of 199,587 according to the 2024 census. It is also the main commune of Greater Iquique. The city developed during the heyday of the saltpetre mining in the Atacama Desert in the 19th century. Once a Peruvian city with a large Chilean population, it was conquered by Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879–1883). Today it is one of only two free ports of Chile, the other one being Punta Arenas, in the country's far south.
History
Although the city was founded in the 16th century, there is evidence of habitation in the area by the Chango people as early as 7,000 BC. During colonial times, Iquique was part of the Viceroyalty of Peru as much of South America was at the time, and remained part of Peruvian territory until the end of the 19th century. Iquique's early development was due in large part to the discovery of mineral riches, particularly the presence of large deposits of sodium nitrate in the Atacama Desert (then part of Peruvian territory); and guano.
In July 1834, Charles Darwin, during his voyage on the Beagle, traveled to Iquique and described it as a town "very much in want of everyday necessities, such as water and firewood". These necessities had to be brought in from considerable distances. Darwin also visited the saltpetre works.
The city has been devastated by several earthquakes, including the 1868 Arica earthquake, the 1877 Iquique earthquake, and the 2005 Tarapacá earthquake. The 2014 Iquique earthquake occurred with a moment magnitude of 8.2 on April 1, 2014.
Territorial disputes between Bolivia and Chile triggered the War of the Pacific in 1879. The Battle of Iquique was fought in the harbor of Iquique on May 21, 1879, now commemorated as Navy Day, an annual public holiday in Chile. The outcome of the war gave Chile this portion of the Peruvian territory.
Over the years there was substantial emigration from other parts of Chile to this area which was called the Norte Grande. In subsequent years the further exportation of Chilean saltpetre (mainly to European countries) significantly helped in the development of the city, attracting foreigners and rapidly expanding housing projects.
In December 1907, the city was marred by the Santa María de Iquique Massacre when the Chilean Army, under the command of Gen. Roberto Silva Renard, opened fire on thousands of saltpetre miners, and their wives and children, who assembled inside the Santa María School. The workers had marched into town to protest their working conditions and wages. Somewhere between 500 and 2,000 people were killed. The folk group Quilapayún recorded an album in remembrance of the event (Cantata Santa María de Iquique) in 1970. In December 2007 a series of cultural and ceremonial activities were planned, culminating in the week between December 14 to 21, to commemorate the centenary year of the massacre.
Mars 96 was launched by Russia in 1996, but failed to leave the Earth orbit, and re-entered the atmosphere a few hours later. The two RTGs onboard carried 200 g of plutonium in total and are assumed to have survived the re-entry as they were designed to do. They are thought to now lie somewhere in a northeast-southwest running oval long by wide, which is centred east of Iquique, Chile.Mars 96 timeline , NASA
Prior to becoming Chilean territory, Iquique was home to some of the greatest Peruvian heroes, namely Alfonso Ugarte (who was elected mayor in 1876), Ramón Zavala, a rich saltpetre entrepreneur; Guillermo Billinghurst, later President of Peru (who after being overthrown in 1914 came to Iquique – then already under Chilean rule – to live out his last years), and Ramón Castilla, thrice president of Peru, who was born in San Lorenzo de Tarapacá and died in the Desert of Tiviliche, Tarapacá, who lived in Iquique during his mandate as Governor of Tarapacá in 1825.
Governance
As a commune, Iquique 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 2012–2016 alcalde is Jorge Soria.
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Iquique is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Marta Isasi (Ind.) and Hugo Gutiérrez (PC) as part of the 2nd electoral district, which includes the entire Tarapacá Region. The commune is represented in the Senate by José Miguel Insulza (PS, 2018–2026) and José Durana (UDI, 2018–2026) as part of the 1st senatorial constituency (Arica and Parinacota Region and Tarapacá Region).
List of mayors Since 2016, the incumbent mayor is Mauricio Soria Macchiavello.
MayorPartyTerm Begin EndMayors of the First Municipality (1873–1879)Alfonso Ugarte1879: Change in administrationPartido LiberalPartido ConservadorPartido Liberal DemocráticoRafael Sotomayor GaetePartido RadicalPartido LiberalPartido LiberalMayors under the Autonomous Commune Law (1891–1973)Gumecindo Moya CastroPartido RadicalPartido Liberal DemocráticoPartido NacionalPartido RadicalManuel Antonio Godoy SimonPartido RadicalPartido Obrero SocialistaPartido RadicalPartido LiberalLuis Cuevas FernándezPartido LiberalPartido LiberalPartido LiberalPartido SocialistaAlfonso Echeverría YáñezPartido RadicalLuis Valenzuela E.Partido ComunistaPartido ComunistaFalange NacionalPartido ComunistaPartido LiberalJosé Zárate AndreuPartido RadicalPedro Muga GonzálezFalange NacionalPartido SocialistaPartido SocialistaPartido SocialistaSamuel Astorga JorqueraPartido Demócrata CristianoJorge Soria QuirogaPartido SocialistaMayors designated by the Military Regime (1973–1992)Javier Provoste SáezPartido NacionalPatricio Vidal CorbalánGuillermo Barrios MerinoEgidio Feliú ArellanoMarta Marcich MollerRenovación NacionalMyrta Dubost JiménezUnión Demócrata IndependienteMayors since the Transition (1992–present)Jorge Soria QuirogaPartido ComunistaPartido por la Democracia Independent (PPD)Partido Regionalista IndependienteMyrta Dubost JiménezUnión Demócrata IndependienteHernán Araya Jorge Soria QuirogaFuerza del NorteAstrid Astorga Mauricio Soria MacchiavelloIndependent (NM)Incumbent
Economy The economic activity of Iquique, capital of the Tarapacá Region, is mainly based on international trade through the Iquique Free Trade Zone (ZOFRI) and the maritime port (one of the six busiest ports in Chile), large-scale copper mining, tourism, the fishing industry, manufacturing, and construction.
In 2018, the number of companies registered in Iquique was 7,404. The Economic Complexity Index (ECI) in the same year was 0.89, while the economic activities with the highest Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) index were:
Manufacture of Batteries and Primary Cells (49.64)
Judicial Power Activities (27.5)
Electrical and Electronic Repairs (19.43)
Trade
Trade is important, as the region serves as a transit point for Chilean products heading toward the northern countries (Peru and Bolivia) and Brazil, due to the existing interoceanic corridor. The Iquique Free Trade Zone (ZOFRI) has spurred commercial development, especially in the sale of automobiles and technological products, which attract a large number of Chileans and foreigners.
The city has three shopping centers (Malls), one of which is Mall Zofri, part of the free trade system that sells retail products exempt from the 19% VAT; another is Mall Plaza Iquique (formerly Mall Las Américas), which includes Falabella and La Polar stores. This business hub hosts more than 1,650 companies that carry out trade operations worth about 4.7 billion USD annually.
Additionally, the city has a service center where large department stores coexist with banks, public entities, and SMEs mostly covering sectors such as manufacturing, retail, and food services. Around Paseo Baquedano, a highly touristic area, businesses and services thrive to meet the needs of local enterprises, making this part of the city a commercial and business hub due to its comparative advantages and the presence of key institutions like the General Police Station and several fire brigades.
Used clothes The port of Iquique plays a central role in Chile’s importation of used clothing, which totals around 123,000 tonnes annually according to government estimates. As part of a free-trade zone, it enables businesses in Iquique and surrounding areas to import and sell goods without paying customs duties or tax.
Fishing Industry The production of fishmeal and fish oil represents 50% and 60% of the national total, respectively. Industrial fishing, which began in the 1950s, provides the largest contribution to the Gross Geographic Product (26%). Iquique is Chile’s largest fishing port, accounting for 35% of the nation’s total catch (mainly anchovy and jack mackerel), with 95% of the production destined for oil and fishmeal, and the remaining 5% for canned, frozen, and other products.
Manufacturing The manufacturing industry accounts for 5% of the Gross Geographic Product. Its main activities include shipyards, which have expanded their building capacity — for instance, the Marco Chilena shipyards, which construct both fishing vessels and luxury yachts. The city’s workshops manufacture spare parts and components serving primarily the mining and fishing industries.
Construction
Civil construction has been the driving force behind Iquique’s growth over the past 15 years, giving the sector a highly dynamic character. However, the lack of available urban land has limited housing development, leading to the dominance of high-rise buildings. Many buildings exceed 25 floors, efficiently using the limited land.
Currently, residential construction projects are concentrated in the southern area, mainly Bajo Molle, but since it lies outside the urban boundary, it lacks proper infrastructure, resulting in fewer housing projects. Another area with major construction activity is the coastal zone — mainly Cavancha and Playa Brava — where the tallest building in the city (37 floors) is being built.
Mining Metallic mining mainly involves copper extraction, which takes place in Quebrada Blanca, Cerro Colorado, and Doña Inés de Collahuasi, which began full production in 1999 and has become one of the world’s largest mines.
Non-metallic mining mainly focuses on Sodium Chloride (common salt), extracted from the Salar Grande salt flat. This mineral has a crystalline body and is nearly pure (98.5% purity). More than six million tons are extracted annually.
The production of nitrate and iodine is also significant, obtained by recycling old nitrate works in Huara and Pozo Almonte, as well as from new facilities such as Nueva Victoria.
Tourism Tourism is highly important for the city as it represents one of its main projected economic resources. It offers essential natural attractions — a city beach safe for swimming thanks to the protection of the peninsula, a mild climate with pleasant temperatures, scenic desert landscapes, and convenient accommodations.
Its heritage architecture from the nitrate era also adds to its appeal. Iquique has one of the best-developed tourism industries in the country, with the hotel, restaurant, and commerce sectors accounting for 30.68% of the GDP.
Labor Organizations Iquique has numerous and influential labor organizations, many affiliated with the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT). The most important include:
Port workers’ unions
ZOFRI unions
Mining unions
Commerce unions
Public sector unions
Labor movements have also been historically strengthened by events such as the “Santa María Massacre” of December 17, 1907. The main union sectors are:
Commerce
Public employees
Mining
Construction, among others
International relations