NORTHERN CHILE: CLIMATE, FLORA, FAUNA AND RESOURCES - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

The northern zone of Chile is one of the five geographical zones into which the national territory is divided and includes the regions of Arica and Parinacota, Antofagasta, Atacama, Tarapacá, Coquimbo and the north of Valparaíso.

It is divided into two subzones: the Big North and the Small North. In the Norte Grande the predominant basic reliefs are the littoral plain, the intermediate depression, the Costa mountain range, the high plateau and the Andes mountain range with their particular features in each region.

Source: chile-spanish.cl

The Norte Grande has an arid climate and includes the regions of Arica and Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta and the North of Atacama. This part of the country is rich in mineral salt deposits, as well as copper and other metal mines.

In the Norte Chico, the following reliefs are distinguished: coastal plains, coastal mountain range, intermediate depression (transversal valleys) and the Andes mountain range. This subzone is made up of the South of Atacama, Coquimbo and the North of Valparaíso. It has a semi-arid climate.

The northern area is characterized by its dry and desert climate in the northern or northern regions as a consequence of the Atacama desert, which covers most of this area.

Towards its southernmost point, in the direction of central Chile, the climate becomes semi-arid. Its economy revolves around the mining industry, fishing, agriculture and tourism.

Weather

In this area, rains are very scarce and nil in some parts of the Atacama Desert, which extends for about 1,600 km and covers an area of ​​105,000 km². This desert, which is one of the driest and arid in the world, conditions the climate of the northern Chilean zone.

The scarce rainfall is due to the presence of the so-called Pacific Anticyclone, which acts as a barrier and prevents the entry of humid air from the ocean, through the cold Humboldt current or the Andes Mountains.

The dry climates of this area are only altered precisely by the seasonal phenomenon called "Bolivian winter" or "highland winter". The winds drag masses of humid air that originate in the eastern slope of the mountain range and generate some rains in the Chilean highlands.

In the Norte Chico there is a transition from the dry climate of the area to the semi-arid and less dry climate, which extends from the transversal valleys to the fertile Central Zone.

The climate of the northern zone varies according to the region. In this area three subclimates are identified, which are: the coastal, the normal (or interior) and the high desert. In the littoral section of the northern zone, temperatures generally range from 15 ° to 25 ° C.

In the desert the weather conditions are extreme. Temperatures during the day range between 30 ° and 50 ° C, while at night they can drop from 0 ° to a maximum of -15 ° C.

Flora

The vegetation of the central zone is also conditioned by the scarcity of water, extreme aridity and high solar radiation. Among the most common species of plants in this area are:

Tamarugo

It is a highly branched and colorful tree, with a short trunk, which can reach up to 25 m in height. It is an endemic species of this area, as it grows in the so-called "Pampa del Tamarugal", near the city of Iquique.

Grasses and grasses

These dry-type grass and herb species grow in periods of higher humidity in the area.

Lichens

They are fungi that grow in desert grasslands and in the Andes Mountains, and contain various properties.

Candlestick cacti

This variety of cactus grows mainly in the Arica region. It is a plant that can grow to about 5 meters. It has a thick trunk with thorns, it is called a candelabrum because of the shape of its branches.

Fox tail

It is a very resistant type of grass, capable of withstanding extreme heat and cold, as well as strong winds.

Wild chamomile

It is also known by the name of bastard daisy or edge chamomile, but it should not be confused with the common infusion chamomile or chamomile. It is an annual compound plant.

Malvilla

It is a fairly common plant in the Atacama Region. It grows in desert terrain forming invasive carpets on the roadsides.

Congonilla

This type of plant grows especially in the areas of the Cordillera de la Costa, always looking for shady places.

Guanaco leg

It is a type of biennial herb with leaves that are grouped at the base of the stem, are fleshy and oval. It reaches a height of about 50 cm and grows among the rocks of the coastal areas.

Fauna

These are some of the most characteristic animals of the northern part of Chile:

Alpaca

Alpacas San Pedro de Atacama

It is a domestic species of the camelid family, smaller than llamas and with a tuft of fiber on its forehead. It is 1.50 cm tall and is raised for the use of its wool. The alpaca lives in the regions of Atacama, Antofagasta and Coquimbo.

Guanacos

This wild species of mammal of the camelid family has fine bones and is approximately 1.60 meters tall, weighing about 90 kilograms. It feeds on herbs, tubers and moss, and inhabits the areas of the Andes Mountains.

Chinchilla

It is a rodent with a long tail and a body of about 25 cm, which lives in the coastal areas of the north, mainly in the Coquimbo Region.

Quirquincho

It is an endemic species of the Bolivian plateau that lives in Tarapacá and Antofagasta. It is also known by the name of Andean armadillo.

Its body is covered by a hard shell and reaches a length of up to 40 cm from head to tail.

Vizcacha

It is a rodent with thick and soft fur, which is related to the chinchillas and the vizcacha of the pampas. It lives in rugged mountainous areas with sparse vegetation.

Flemish

It is a very common territorial bird in the Atacama salt flats and lagoons in the area. It is between 1.10 and 1.30 m tall and has pink plumage, with some dark spots near the tail. It has a long, bent bill and long legs with yellow eyes.

Vicuña

It is the smallest of the wild camelid species that inhabit the Andean highlands. It generally lives in areas with altitudes greater than 3,500 meters high. It can be seen in the Las Vicuñas National Reserve in the Tarapacá Region.

Fur seal (Ñuble)

It is an animal with a very robust body and brown color, with a large head and a wide and short snout, measuring up to 3.5 m. It inhabits the coastal areas of the north (regions I, II, II and IV) forming colonies.

Condor

It is a large scavenger bird, which can measure up to 3.30 m in wingspan, with black color and white plumage around the neck and in some parts of its wings. Its head is red and devoid of feathers. The Andean condor inhabits the entire cordillera of the Andes in South America.

Natural resources

The northern zone of Chile is rich in mineral resources such as copper, iron, silver and gold, as well as saltpeter. Although it is a very dry area with a great shortage of water, it also has important underground springs.

In the Norte Chico it has very fertile soils ideal for growing citrus, almond and fruit trees. It also has exceptional fishing resources, especially species such as tuna, horse mackerel, cojinoba, anchovies and anchovies.

Indigenous groups

Aymaras

Aymara indigenous

The Aymara indigenous people are distributed in various regions of Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. In Chile they are located in the regions of Arica and Parinacota, also in Tarapacá and Antofagasta.

It is a town with a rich culture that is manifested in its dances, clothing, gastronomy, language and customs.

Chinchorro

The town of the Chinchorro culture is one of the oldest in South America. They were fishermen who settled on the coast of the Atacama and Antofagasta desert, approximately between 7020 and 1500 BC. C. from Ilo (Peru).

They had their nucleus in the current territory of Arica and in the valleys of Camarones, Azapa and Lluta. It is considered that they were the first people in the world to mummify their dead.

Atacameños

The native Atacameños are also called apatamas, kunzas, alpatanas and likan-antai. Formerly, the indigenous people of this ethnic group inhabited the Atacama desert until Copiapó in the areas near rivers, streams and valleys. Their mestizo descendants currently live in these territories and in cities in northern Chile.

Diaguitas

They were native independent peoples with a high level of social organization and skills for smelting metals and pottery, who had the Cacán language in common.

They currently live in Norte Chico and in northwestern Argentina. They developed the Santamariana culture.

Economy

The north is an area very rich in minerals, which is used by a prodigious mining industry, but it also has other important sectors such as agriculture, livestock, tourism, industrial fishing and manufacturing.

Mining

Chuquicamata copper mine

The mining sector is oriented to the exploitation and processing of copper and saltpeter, mainly, although it also has an important production of iron, silver and gold, among other metals.

The Chuquicamata mine is located in the north, which is the largest open-pit copper mine in the world, where gold and molybdenum are also exploited.

farming

In agriculture in the northern zone, most of the crops are citrus fruits (lemons and oranges), pineapples, avocados, olives, potatoes, cereals (wheat) and legumes.

Crops of table grapes, peaches, apricots, figs and custard apples abound in this area.

Cattle raising

Large areas of territory are used in the breeding of auquénidae (alpacas, llamas, guanucos and vicuñas), as well as sheep and goats.

Fishing and its derivatives

The northern zone has a highly developed fishing industry, since the capture of pelagic species is concentrated in it, and two important industries dedicated to the production of oil and fishmeal are installed.

Commerce and Industry

The commercial activity together with the manufacturing industry (food, electrical appliances and machinery) makes a great contribution to the economy of the area.

tourism

Also highlights the tourist activity on the beaches of Arica, Mejillones, Iquique and Antofagasta. The northern zone has several national parks, typical foothills towns and historical centers that attract thousands of tourists every year.

Typical meals

These are some of the most traditional dishes of the food of the north.

Chairo

Source: pitinserrano.files.wordpress.com

It is a vegetable-based soup that contains llama or alpaca meat with chunks of potato chuño (dehitradata), onion, peas, mote wheat and green beans, corn and mote wheat. These ingredients are mixed and cooked until it reaches the desired thick consistency.

Calapurka

This is another style of soup but spicy to which potato, carrot and large corn are added, then llama meat, lamb and chicken and lamb, rocotos (hot pepper), carrot and other vegetables. It has a revitalizing or invigorating effect.

Spicy wadding or chicken

It is a very spicy stew based on finely cut and fried vegetables along with ground hot peppers to which the wadding (tripa) or chicken and cooked potato ground by hand is added. It is usually accompanied with grained rice to balance the dressings.

The jerky or jerky

It is a food of Quechua origin that consists of the preparation of dried guanuco or llama meat (but it can be made with beef as well). The meat is previously cut into very thin slices or strips without fat and the blood is extracted.

The strips of meat are salted and placed in a very sunny drying room until they are completely dehydrated and then smoked. It can be eaten alone or as a filling for empanadas and tamales.

Roast

It is made from llama or alpaca meat grilled or in charcoal grills.

Chumbeque

It is a very traditional sweet from this area of ​​the country, made with wheat flour and butter, to which you can add honey, layers of lemon, guava, orange, mango, passion fruit or chocolate.

soup

It is a stew based on lamb and llama meat, dressed with squash, peeled corn, potatoes, cabbages and chard, which is prepared in large pots. First the meat is brought to a boil, then the other ingredients are added and when it is cooked it is left to rest to serve.

References

1. Chile, our country: Regions. Consulted of bcn.cl
2. Northern Chile. Consulted of Conjuntocumbredecondores.es.tl
3. All terrain plants. Consulted of emol.com
4. Aymara territory. Consulted from beingindigenous.org
5. North Zone. Consulted from chile-spanish.cl
6. North of Chile: Good fishing. Consulted of aqua.cl
7. Northern Chile. Consulted of es.wikipedia.org
8. Relief and biogeography of the Great North of Chile. Consulted of icarito.cl
9. Climate and vegetation. Consulted of bcn.cl