Roaming South America

Calama, Chile

March 30, 2023

Calama, Chile: population: about 195,000. That population number includes several mining communities and other villages out in the desert in this general area. Calama's main source of economic support is copper mining. There is one very large open pit mine that has been in operation for more than 100 years. It is in the process of changing to underground mining.

Calama is located pretty much in the center of the Atacama desert and midway between the mountains and the ocean. This has given it an important location and so has been populated as far back as 9000 years ago. During the early 1800s, Chile, Perú, and Bolivia had many disputes and clashes over the border of the countries and Calama was sometimes it was occupied by the armies of the Chileans due to its location.

Calama is supported by at least eight working mines and multiple others in the prospecting stages. There are 15 copper-producing communities in Chile and Calama produces about 22 percent of the total production.

Calama has a desert climate. The average daytime high of 23° C (73° F), and the average night low of 5° C (41° F). The city's elevation is 2300 meters (7545 feet) and it averages 5.9 mm (.23 inch) of rain per year.

So, my impressions: Calama is a desert town, in the Atacama desert. The parks are grey, the open spaces (green space) are grey, it's all grey. Its streets are littered, and there's nothing really pretty here because it's all brown or grey, the only green comes from the plants that people have planted here, none of which is native to the desert because the Atacama has no native plant life. Although, I was surprised to see two rivers, small but actual water running in them. I didn't expect that, after all, everything I've heard or read about the Atacama is that it is the dryest place on earth, which is true, but it still has a few rivers. It just doesn't get any rain. The river originates in the Andes Mtns a little to the east of town.

My goal is to find a new place to live. So to reach that goal I am traveling most of South America, visiting the countries of Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia, and Chile, passing through Argentina, visiting Paraguay, passing through a bit of Brazil, and finally visiting Uruguay. I have a list of towns, about 70, that meet these qualifications: Cities with average day temperatures of 22-28° C (72-83° F) and night temps of 14° C (57° F) and higher; and a population between 28,000-300,000. I analyzed climate and population data of around 700 towns in the countries mentioned above and then pulled out the ones that meet the previously mentioned criteria, which leaves about 70. My preference leans towards towns of less than 100,000 people. And, now that I have visited more than 30 towns/cities, I've decided I will probably want an inland town. I love the beach and walking in the warm water, but, getting sunburned is just too easy, even on a cloudy day. At least, here in Ecuador. I've also decided that any town with more than 100,000 population will be too big. I've decided that any small town/city (less than around 80,000 population) that meets the temp specifications and has a supermarket and ATM is one worth considering to live in.

My goal is to visit the towns and discover which one calls out to me - "Chip, Chip, make your new home here, this is your new home town". That hasn't happened yet, but the seven towns listed below are very close to giving me that feeling. At any rate, I am not visiting tourist attractions or archeological sites, etc, those will have to wait for another trip through South America.

At this point in my journey I have six towns on my Top 10 list - Tingo Maria, Moyobamba, La Merced, Perú, and Catamayo and Puyo, Ecuador. In my travels in Ecuador, I visited 32 towns/cities. In Perú, I visited 26 towns/cities.

Next up: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.