Arica
| Arica | |
|---|---|
| |
| Country | Chile |
| Region | Arica & Parinacota Region |
| Population | 222,619 |
| Area (sq mi) | 4,799.4 km2 (1,853.1 sq mi) |
| Population density (/sq mi) | 46/km2 (120/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Ariqueño (a) |
| Co-ordinates | 18°28′S 70°19′W |
Arica is a Chilean city located in the north of Chile in the Arica & Parinacota Region known as the "City of the eternal spring". The city was founded by the Spanish conqueror Lucas Martínez de Begazo in 1541 and started being an important port in the Spanish Empire for the export of Silver and other minerals from the Potosí mines. Previous to the Spanish settlement, there was a culture called Chinchorro which mummies were found, also the Aymaras populated the place as well as Quechuas from the Incan Empire (Tawantinsuyo).
The city belonged to the Viceroyalty of Peru and to the Peruvian Republic after independence, being under to the domain of the city of Tacna. During the War of the Pacific the city was protagonist of the Battle of Arica on the June 7, 1880 inside the Campaign of Tacna & Arica which was won by Chile.
In 1884 Chile and Peru signed the Treaty of Ancón, in which Peru ceded Tarapacá to Chile permanently, and Tacna and Arica for 10 years until the making of a referendum about the sovereignty of the cities.
The referendum wasn't held and in the 1920s both countries agreed to have arbitration of the United States, which said a referendum couldn't be held because of the Chilean Nationalist groups on Arica and Tacna that were nationalizing by force the zone, and also said that Chile should return Tarata to Perú, which was applied in 1925.
In 1929 the Treaty of Lima was signed between Chile and Peru in which both countries agreed to divide the zone, Tacna was given back to Peru and Arica remained Chilean permanently.
To this day the connection between both cities is huge, having even a railroad. The government of Carlos Ibáñez del Campo is the one that gave more importance to the city. In 1904 Bolivia and Chile signed a Treaty of Peace and agreed on the construction of a railroad between Arica and La Paz, and facilities to Bolivia to export products using the Chilean port.
In 1975, during the creation of the Regions of Chile, Arica was absorbed to the jurisdiction of Iquique, the Tarapacá Region, however in 2006 the Arica & Parinacota Region was created.
To the east of the city the Azapa Valley can be found which production of the best olive oil of Chile, and other fruit products. The beach is the best for surfing in Chile. The icon of the city is the Morro de Arica which can be seen on the picture. The Morro has a huge Chilean flag and a museum of the War of the Pacific.
Arica nowadays has a mass immigration problem since is near the border, on the part of the border that is flat.
