Iquique (pronounced ee-KEE-kay) is a port city in northern Chile. It lies on the Pacific coast and is part of the Atacama Desert. This area receives less than 2 inches of annual rainfall. The city developed in the heyday of the saltpeter mining in the Atacama desert in the 19th century. Interesting enough, it was a Peruvian city with a large Chilean population. It was ceded to Chile as a result of the War of the Pacific in 1879.
Today it plays home to surfers, hotels, resorts and casinos. Located in a golden crescent of coastline, it is among the best beach resorts in Chile. The big draw is the surfing. Consistently large swells are enjoyed be many surfers year round.
