Iquique (IPA /i'kike/) is a city in northern Chile, capital of Tarapacá Region, on the Pacific coast, just west of the Atacama Desert. It is located at and has a population of 221,400 (2004). The city's name means "bird's gizzard".
Iquique has the largest commercial port center (or Zona Franca) of South America and has been traditionally called Zofri. There are around 2.4 km² of warehouses, banking branches, and restaurants.
Iquique was originally in Peru, but became part of Chile as a result of the War of the Pacific in the nineteenth century.
The city was founded in the sixteenth century, although there is evidence of habitation in the area by the Chango people as early as 7000 BC. In 1835, Charles Darwin, during his voyage on the Beagle, travelled to Iquique and described a town very much in want of everyday necessities, such as water and firewood. These had to be brought in from a considerable distance. Darwin also visited the saltpetre works.
In 1868 and again in 1877, the city was devastated by earthquakes.
In 1907, the city was marred by a massacre when the police opened fire on a group of about 8,500 saltpetre miners who had marched into town to protest their lot. Hundreds were killed.
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