Antofagasta History

History

Founded in 1870, Antofagasta earned its salt by offering the easiest route to the nitrate mines of the interior. After the turn of the century, when Antofagasta's port proved to be inadequate for the expanded nitrate trade, the nearby harbor of Mejillones took up much of the slack. Later, however, infrastructural improvements restored Antofagasta's preeminence, and it came to handle the highest tonnage of any South American Pacific port.