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Arica

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Arica is often called "The City of Eternal Spring," and is found at the northern point of Chile on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, just south of the Peruvian border. The port city stretches out at the foot of El Morro Hill, the site of a major battle of the Peruvian War (1879-83). Today the hill serves as a national historic monument and boasts an open-air museum. Visitors can climb the peak of El Morro Hill to enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the ocean and city below. It reaches a height of 139 meters above sea level, and served as the last fortification of defense for allied troops in the city.

Arica is best known for being the starting point for excursions into the Atacama Desert. The city is also a popular, year-round beach resort as the climate is mild and dry with warm water for swimming. It is one of the driest inhabited places on Earth. South of the town, several coves provide picturesque settings and tranquil waters.

Historically, Arica was an integral trade center. The Museo Arqueologicò San Miguel de Azapa provides an outstanding introduction to the history of the area and is found fairly close to the town. The museum boasts a collection of Incan mummies, whose bodies were impeccably preserved in the extremely arid sands of the Atacama.

In August of 1868, Arica was devastated by a tsunami and then followed by a magnitude 8.5 earthquake. The tsunami and earthquake together are estimated as killing anywhere from 25,000 to 70,000 people. The country is still a popular tourist destination, however, due to its tropical latitude, city’s beaches, and dry climate.

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