TOURISM IN THE SMALL NORTH OF CHILE

From earth to sky, the beauty of this corridor is expressed in each of its destinations. Chañaral, Copiapo, Coquimbo, El Salvador, La Serena, Ovalle, Vallenar, Vicuña make up the picturesque small north. The desert gives way to the green valleys and goes down to beautiful, wide beaches by the ocean. These landscapes accompanie a privileged climate most time of the year, not only appreciated in the different resorts but also it allows to develop a major astronomical activity

Politically includes the regions of Atacama (III) and Coquimbo (IV). North of Chañaral is Pan de Azucar National Park which protects a unique colony of Humboldt penguins. To the east of the town, runs the copper mine El Salvador, which also operates gold and silver.

Within the region of Atacama, are also two protected areas: National Park Nevado de Tres Cruces and the Llanos de Challe park. And almost on the border of Region IV is the Nevado Ojos del Salado, which with 6,893 meters, besides being the highest active volcano in the world, this is the highest elevation in Chile.

La Serena is the pearl of the beaches bathed by the Pacific, along with others such as English Bay, Los Vilos and Pichidangui.

The Elqui Valley treasures magical places like the town of Pisco Elqui, where the famous Chilean brandy, and Vicuña, the birthplace of the poet Gabriela Mistral, Nobel Prize for Literature in 1945.

In this area one can be astonished as the sky is the most transparent one in the Southern Cone. Here lie the prestigious astronomical observatories of La Campana, La Silla, Cerro Community Mamalluca, El Tololo, Cerro Morado and the European Southern Observatory.

Good infrastructure, services and media provided by major urban centers invite guests to enjoy the fascinating attractions of this corridor Chile.

Cities:

• COQUIMBO
• SERENA
• OVALLE
• VICUÑA