population: 0.152 million

extension: 15,853.3 square kilometers

Museums

A great museum to visit in Calama, Chile is the Museo Geologico y Minero. If you are interested in seeing other museums in the area, you may want to consider visiting the Museo Arqueologico Rio Loa or the Museo del Salitre in nearby towns.

Food

Some of the most recommended and popular dishes to try in Calama, Chile are:

1. Chupe de Mariscos: a seafood stew made with shrimp, clams, mussels, and vegetables.

2. Asado de Tira: grilled beef short ribs with mashed potatoes and salad.

3. Empanadas de Pino: savory pastries filled with seasoned ground beef, onions, raisins, and olives.

4. Pastel de Choclo: a casserole made with ground beef, chicken or pork, onion, raisins, olives, and topped with a layer of creamed corn.

5. Cazuela: a hearty soup/stew made with beef, chicken, or pork, vegetables like potatoes, pumpkin, and corn on the cob.

6. Humitas: steamed corn cakes made with fresh corn, onion, basil, and butter.

7. Charqui de llamo: dried llama meat that is marinated in spices and then roasted or fried.

Keep in mind that some of these dishes may be more commonly found at restaurants than others, but they are all considered very traditional and representative of Chilean cuisine.

Activities

Some fun activities that local people in Calama, Chile enjoy include:

1. Visiting the nearby Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) to take in its unique landscape.
2. Exploring the Chuquicamata copper mine, which is one of the largest open-pit mines in the world and located just outside Calama.
3. Checking out the Feria de las Pulgas, a popular flea market where you can find all sorts of interesting items.
4. Participating in outdoor activities such as hiking or rock climbing in the surrounding mountains.
5. Attending a local football match and cheering on the regional team, Cobreloa.