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The Humberstone and Santa Laura nitrate offices are two old nitrate offices, currently abandoned, located in the commune of Pozo Almonte, I Region of Tarapacá, in Chile.



Located 48 kilometers east of the city of Iquique, they are historical monuments and, since July 25, 2005, they have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are included in the List of World Heritage in Danger. Both nitrate works, although originally operated separately, are currently the main reflection of the period of splendor and contrasts that the region experienced between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Santa Laura, in its best period, had a population of 425 inhabitants, while Humberstone surpassed 3,500 inhabitants.





Iquique is located 1,845 km. north of Santiago de Chile and 307 km. south of Arica. You can get:

By plane

There are daily frequencies that depart from the National Airport in Santiago de Chile. You can check the frequencies from other cities such as Arica, La Serena and Copiapó. The plane arrives at the Iquique airport.

By car

It can be accessed by the Pan-American Highway from the south or north. From the north the closest city is Arica, which is 307 km away. From the south, the entrance door is through Calama, 389 km. away.

By bus

There are daily frequencies from nearby cities and towns that are located in the surroundings. Check the frequencies in the respective road terminals.





Humberstone and Santa Laura are currently some of the main tourist landmarks in the Tarapacá Region, Iquique province in Chile. Although the passage of the years had greatly deteriorated these places, it is impressive to observe the vestiges of an era of wealth, even more so when important restoration works are carried out, at the hands of the Corporation Museo del Salitre, which have enabled many of its main spaces . Most of Humberstone's central buildings, such as its massive theater, church, and grocery store, are made of imported Oregon pine. Another important fact is the contrast between the large administrative buildings and those of the owners with the small houses of the thousands of workers from the pampas, which were even higher than those of previous phases (pre 1920).

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