Imagine a special kind of salt found in the desert that was super important for growing food and even making fireworks! This was called Chilean Saltpeter, also known as Nitratine. For a long time, it was the main way people got nitrates, which are chemicals used in fertilizer to help plants grow big and strong. They also used it to make things like gunpowder and fireworks.
A Rich History of Saltpeter
For many years, the dry Atacama Desert in South America held a valuable secret: huge amounts of Chilean Saltpeter. This natural resource became very important in the 1830s. That's when countries in Europe and the United States started buying large amounts of nitrates. This trade brought big changes to the economies of three countries that shared the Atacama Desert: Chile, Perú, and Bolivia.
The city of Antofagasta was founded in 1868. Just a year later, in October 1869, the first nitrate factory, called Oficina Salar del Carmen, began digging up saltpeter. In 1871, a special train line, the Nitrate Railway, opened. It ran from Iquique to La Noria in Peru, making it easier to transport the valuable saltpeter.
In 1873, the Peruvian Government took control of the nitrate industry. This was a state monopoly, meaning only the government could manage it. This control lasted until the "War of the Pacific" from 1879 to 1883. This war was partly caused by the discovery of many new "Oficinas salitreras" (saltpeter factories) where nitratine was mined.
After World War I, the way people got nitrogen changed. Scientists learned how to create nitrogen from the air. This new method became the main source of nitrogen, and the Chilean Saltpeter industry slowly became less important.
Saltpeter Works Locations
Below is a list of many saltpeter factories, also known as "saltpeter works," located in the Tarapacá and Antofagasta regions. This information comes from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Each factory has a Unique Feature Identifier (UFI), which is a special number that helps identify each location. If two entries have the same UFI, it means they are the same place.
1890 map of saltpeter works in Tarapacá
List of Saltpeter works in Tarapacá and Antofagasta Region
| Oficina |
Latitude |
Longitude |
UFI |
| Trinidad |
-19.550751 |
-70.085782 |
-894178 |
| Paccha |
-19.565059 |
-70.023938 |
-894115 |
| Jazpampa |
-19.572428 |
-70.023959 |
-894089 |
| San Antonio de Zapiga |
-19.617482 |
-69.978589 |
-894147 |
| AragonAragón |
-19.625763 |
-69.959791 |
-894032 |
| Enriqueta |
-19.651981 |
-69.961225 |
-894076 |
| Sacramento |
-19.658865 |
-69.960986 |
-894143 |
| Carolina |
-19.666667 |
-70.05 |
-894055 |
| San Patricio |
-19.671302 |
-69.949181 |
-894156 |
| Los Pozos |
-19.673801 |
-69.983738 |
-894102 |
| California |
-19.676873 |
-70.049429 |
-894048 |
| Dolores |
-19.677805 |
-69.945837 |
-879800 |
| Victoria |
-19.694192 |
-70.011317 |
-894184 |
| UnionUnión |
-19.70017 |
-69.953725 |
-894179 |
| Sal dei Obispo |
-19.701493 |
-69.970242 |
-894165 |
| Santa Rita |
-19.701493 |
-69.970242 |
-894165 |
| CaminaCamiña |
-19.705671 |
-69.917204 |
-894050 |
| Porvenir |
-19.714015 |
-69.931426 |
-894129 |
| LimonLimón |
-19.7 |
-69.966667 |
-894099 |
| Angela ViejaÁngela Vieja |
-19.741527 |
-69.908196 |
-894029 |
| Chinquiquiray |
-19.744675 |
-69.940149 |
-894060 |
| La Patria |
-19.755316 |
-69.935761 |
-894092 |
| Aguada |
-19.774055 |
-69.908088 |
-894021 |
| Asturias |
-19.787698 |
-69.897289 |
-894035 |
| Amelia |
-19.837628 |
-69.861603 |
-894026 |
| Aurora |
-19.845979 |
-69.856975 |
-894037 |
| Mercedes |
-19.855886 |
-69.859302 |
-894109 |
| Josefina |
-19.872306 |
-69.82562 |
-894090 |
| Progreso |
-19.872555 |
-69.835088 |
-894131 |
| Agua Santa |
-19.881435 |
-69.876308 |
-894022 |
| Barcelona |
-19.888829 |
-69.791632 |
-873177 |
| Slavia |
-19.891475 |
-69.852938 |
-894174 |
| Primitiva |
-19.918645 |
-69.804353 |
-894130 |
| Las Tres MariasLas Tres Marías |
-19.942453 |
-69.813213 |
-894094 |
| ValparaisoValparaíso |
-19.952048 |
-69.830192 |
-894181 |
| San Jorge |
-19.958356 |
-69.813581 |
-894151 |
| Santa Rosa de Huara |
-20.000584 |
-69.781812 |
-901160 |
| Constancia |
-20.010831 |
-69.775747 |
-894065 |
| RamirezRamírez |
-20.050269 |
-69.743608 |
-894135 |
| Santiago |
-20.051856 |
-69.768544 |
-894166 |
| Mapocho |
-20.083333 |
-69.75 |
-894104 |
| San Donato |
-20.108486 |
-69.74967 |
-894148 |
| Pena GrandePeña Grande |
-20.116667 |
-69.783333 |
-894121 |
| Baquedano |
-20.134625 |
-69.755307 |
-894042 |
| San José |
-20.16164 |
-69.777209 |
-900430 |
| Pena Chica, OficinaPeña Chica, Oficina |
-20.166667 |
-69.833333 |
-895706 |
| Kerima |
-20.177153 |
-69.78238 |
-885584 |
| Pena ChicaPeña Chica |
-20.180779 |
-69.801984 |
-894120 |
| Humberstone (Ex-La Palma) |
-20.208047 |
-69.795423 |
-884741 |
| Santa Laura |
-20.211143 |
-69.812979 |
-901026 |
| Nebraska |
-20.2 |
-69.85 |
-893375 |
| Cala-Cala |
-20.227976 |
-69.799378 |
-874636 |
| Buen Retiro |
-20.233333 |
-69.816667 |
-894047 |
| Carmen Bajo |
-20.273339 |
-69.789996 |
-894054 |
| San Andrés |
-20.283333 |
-69.783333 |
-894145 |
| San Manuel |
-20.287568 |
-69.772137 |
-894153 |
| Serena |
-20.296056 |
-69.775357 |
-894172 |
| San Esteban |
-20.316667 |
-69.75 |
-894150 |
| Sara |
-20.325079 |
-69.753255 |
-894168 |
| Las Carpas |
-20.333333 |
-70.016667 |
-887732 |
| La Tirana |
-20.335518 |
-69.656707 |
-888534 |
| Paposo |
-20.35 |
-69.866667 |
-894118 |
| Limeña |
-20.366667 |
-69.9 |
-894098 |
| Cholita |
-20.373378 |
-69.878587 |
-894061 |
| Sebastopol |
-20.383333 |
-69.916667 |
-894171 |
| CondorCóndor |
-20.392843 |
-70.011505 |
-894064 |
| San Enrique |
-20.407103 |
-69.84198 |
-894149 |
| Viga |
-20.414768 |
-69.893692 |
-894187 |
| Sacramento |
-20.416667 |
-69.833333 |
-894142 |
| San Pedro |
-20.416667 |
-69.9 |
-894157 |
| San Antonio |
-20.416667 |
-69.9 |
-900125 |
| AdriaticoAdriático |
-20.4 |
-69.933333 |
-894020 |
| San Enrique |
-20.4 |
-69.866667 |
-900257 |
| Victoria |
-20.433333 |
-69.05 |
-894185 |
| Argentina |
-20.435847 |
-69.864649 |
-872551 |
| Pirineo |
-20.449232 |
-70.031223 |
-894126 |
| Santa Elena |
-20.45 |
-69.783333 |
-894161 |
| Providencia |
-20.453338 |
-69.993508 |
-894133 |
| San Pablo |
-20.457292 |
-69.848845 |
-894155 |
| Ponte Vedra |
-20.460112 |
-69.902208 |
-894128 |
| Diana |
-20.466667 |
-69.766667 |
-894070 |
| Santa Ana |
-20.47645 |
-69.905884 |
-894159 |
| Gloria Victoria |
-20.477913 |
-69.953576 |
-894084 |
| CorunaCoruña |
-20.483333 |
-69.883333 |
-894067 |
| ResurreccionResurrección |
-20.483333 |
-70 |
-894137 |
| San Lorenzo |
-20.483333 |
-69.966667 |
-894152 |
| Virginia |
-20.483333 |
-69.8 |
-894188 |
| Felisa |
-20.5 |
-69.9 |
-894080 |
| San Remigio |
-20.5 |
-69.9 |
-894158 |
| Santa LuciaSanta Lucía |
-20.525699 |
-69.959426 |
-894164 |
| Anita Pintados |
-20.548496 |
-69.750143 |
-894030 |
| Mosquitos |
-20.554971 |
-69.722058 |
-893068 |
| Gloria |
-20.574362 |
-69.993051 |
-894083 |
| Mena Vilana |
-20.596196 |
-69.702188 |
-894112 |
| Aurrera |
-20.642482 |
-69.630034 |
-894038 |
| Pan de AzucarPan de Azúcar |
-20.694895 |
-69.734185 |
-894117 |
| Diez de Septiembre |
-20.696103 |
-69.701583 |
-894071 |
| Victoria |
-20.716667 |
-69.683333 |
-894186 |
| Brac |
-20.733333 |
-69.7 |
-904339 |
| Victoria |
-20.733333 |
-69.7 |
-904339 |
| Victoria |
-20.740547 |
-69.659977 |
-894183 |
| Alianza |
-20.766667 |
-69.7 |
-871794 |
| Pozo Granja |
-20.819409 |
-69.540906 |
-897214 |
| Bellavista |
-20.82276 |
-69.720449 |
-894043 |
| Buenaventura |
-20.835575 |
-69.717824 |
-874162 |
| Slavonia |
-20.85 |
-69.733333 |
-894078 |
| La Granja |
-20.902554 |
-69.619369 |
-886390 |
| Iris |
-20.911023 |
-69.632315 |
-894088 |
| Lagunas Norte |
-20.968118 |
-69.67982 |
-893853 |
| Lagunas |
-20.982377 |
-69.672023 |
-876096 |
| Lagunas Sur |
-20.999419 |
-69.666116 |
-886469 |
| Andrés |
-21.858587 |
-69.563535 |
-894146 |
| Santa Fé |
-21.86256 |
-69.565618 |
-894162 |
| Joya |
-21.885144 |
-69.434945 |
-894091 |
| Iberia |
-21.942359 |
-69.594399 |
-894087 |
| Grutas |
-21.966667 |
-69.616667 |
-894086 |
| Prosperidad |
-21.975523 |
-69.607833 |
-894132 |
| Rica Aventura |
-21.985481 |
-69.60945 |
-894138 |
| Esperanza Nitrate Company |
-22.016667 |
-69.633333 |
-874154 |
| Buena Esperanza |
-22.022513 |
-69.626972 |
-894046 |
| Empresa |
-22.038651 |
-69.621618 |
-894075 |
| Peregrinos |
-22.066667 |
-69.6 |
-894122 |
| Toco |
-22.070638 |
-69.613741 |
-894176 |
| Santa Isabel |
-22.083333 |
-69.6 |
-894163 |
| Santa Ana |
-22.116667 |
-69.583333 |
-894160 |
| Maria ElenaMaría Elena |
-22.344486 |
-69.661775 |
-894107 |
| Coya (later María Elena) |
-22.416667 |
-69.633333 |
-894069 |
| Vergara |
-22.466667 |
-69.633333 |
-894182 |
| Pedro de Valdivia |
-22.597292 |
-69.667393 |
-894119 |
| Los Dones |
-22.71236 |
-69.775475 |
-890182 |
| Lina |
-22.823529 |
-69.312331 |
-894100 |
| Higinio Astoreca |
-22.872456 |
-69.818544 |
-894025 |
| Aconcagua |
-22.950104 |
-69.372866 |
-871203 |
| Angamos |
-22.977802 |
-69.463233 |
-894028 |
| ConcepcionConcepción |
-22.983333 |
-69.383333 |
-894063 |
| CuricoCuricó |
-22.989206 |
-69.391872 |
-878180 |
| Filomena |
-23.007874 |
-69.408899 |
-894081 |
| Maria |
-23.033501 |
-69.456395 |
-894106 |
| MariaMaría |
-23.034766 |
-69.455049 |
-894105 |
| Luisis |
-23.038865 |
-69.518268 |
-894103 |
| Perseverancia |
-23.049155 |
-69.397168 |
-894123 |
| Cecilia |
-23.05 |
-69.516667 |
-875984 |
| Anita Antofagasta |
-23.059285 |
-69.499304 |
-894031 |
| Ausonia |
-23.068968 |
-69.542286 |
-894039 |
| Araucana |
-23.085246 |
-69.450338 |
-894033 |
| Pinto |
-23.086443 |
-69.510422 |
-894125 |
| Arturo Prat |
-23.100142 |
-69.505954 |
-894034 |
| Carmela |
-23.104632 |
-69.564754 |
-894052 |
| Edwards |
-23.120286 |
-69.544241 |
-894074 |
| Ossa |
-23.130208 |
-69.584115 |
-894114 |
| Ercilla |
-23.134143 |
-69.875888 |
-894077 |
| Chacabuco |
-23.146229 |
-69.617448 |
-876218 |
| Celia |
-23.148974 |
-69.667476 |
-894059 |
| Aurelia |
-23.15 |
-69.616667 |
-894036 |
| Carlos Condell |
-23.157893 |
-69.679395 |
-894051 |
| Lastenia |
-23.166667 |
-69.6 |
-894093 |
| Puelma |
-23.184007 |
-69.662477 |
-894134 |
| Sargento Aldea |
-23.200132 |
-69.686464 |
-894169 |
| Blanca Encalada |
-23.210429 |
-69.618437 |
-894044 |
| Lautaro |
-23.519651 |
-69.343335 |
-894096 |
| San Antonio |
-23.519651 |
-69.343335 |
-894096 |
| Domeyko |
-23.783333 |
-69.35 |
-894072 |
| Savona |
-23.785888 |
-69.406553 |
-894170 |
| Pissis |
-23.8 |
-69.366667 |
-894127 |
| Cochrane |
-23.823816 |
-69.288788 |
-894062 |
| Castilla |
-23.899985 |
-69.838636 |
-894056 |
| Americana |
-23.953655 |
-69.772849 |
-894027 |
| Pampa Rica |
-24.050691 |
-69.9351 |
-894116 |
| Oriente |
-24.055048 |
-69.790865 |
-894113 |
| Yugoslavia |
-24.056345 |
-69.829087 |
-894190 |
| Pepita |
-24.076474 |
-69.865386 |
-894068 |
| Eugenia |
-24.133333 |
-69.9 |
-882460 |
| Avanzada |
-24.137808 |
-69.743245 |
-894040 |
| Petronila |
-24.15 |
-69.85 |
-896003 |
| Esmeralda |
-24.156086 |
-69.885505 |
-894079 |
| Eugenia |
-24.175166 |
-69.869258 |
-887038 |
| Santiago |
-24.179758 |
-69.917254 |
-894167 |
| Maria TeresaMaría Teresa |
-24.20824 |
-69.855852 |
-894108 |
| Renacimiento |
-24.224715 |
-69.803595 |
-894136 |
| San Gregorio |
-24.224715 |
-69.803595 |
-894136 |
| Bonasort |
-24.226065 |
-69.894478 |
-894045 |
| San MartinSan Martín |
-24.264648 |
-69.826443 |
-894154 |
| ValparaisoValparaíso |
-24.264648 |
-69.826443 |
-894154 |
| Rosario |
-24.313322 |
-69.970278 |
-894140 |
| Dominador |
-24.366667 |
-69.516667 |
-894073 |
| Salinitas |
-25.04149 |
-69.946783 |
-894144 |
| José Antonio Moreno |
-25.058774 |
-69.880203 |
-894111 |
| Sud America |
-25.119174 |
-69.661046 |
-894175 |
| Chile |
-25.15 |
-69.9 |
-876923 |
| Alemania |
-25.155954 |
-69.907162 |
-894024 |
| Atacama |
-25.201029 |
-69.842443 |
-872737 |
| CaupolicanCaupolicán |
-25.2 |
-69.716667 |
-894058 |
| Santa Luisa |
-25.232142 |
-70.134263 |
-882494 |
| Rosario |
-25.240858 |
-69.789199 |
-894139 |
| Portezuelo |
-25.295212 |
-70.097356 |
-897026 |
| Ballena |
-25.305827 |
-69.684102 |
-894041 |
| Flor de Chile |
-25.316667 |
-69.8 |
-894082 |
| Lilita |
-25.323511 |
-69.66812 |
-894097 |
| Esperanza |
-25.333333 |
-69.733333 |
-882317 |
| UnionUnión |
-25.340371 |
-69.79449 |
-894180 |
| Tricolor |
-25.356213 |
-69.886314 |
-894177 |
| Los Amigos |
-25.443238 |
-69.929322 |
-894101 |
| Miraflores |
-25.444734 |
-69.822048 |
-894110 |
| RepublicaRepública |
-25.467907 |
-69.801817 |
-894173 |
| SeverinSeverín |
-25.467907 |
-69.801817 |
-894173 |
| Catalina del Sur |
-25.494402 |
-69.783583 |
-894057 |
|
Some of the works can be found in the maps
19°S-20°S: Pisagua, Quebrada de Camarones, Caleta Junin, Of. Jazpampa, Of. Vieja
|
20°S-21°S: Iquique, Huara, Pozo Almonte)
|
21°S-22°S: Río Loa, Quillagua
|
22°S-23°S: Tocopilla, Punta Hornos, Of. María Elena, Río Loa
|
23°S-24°S: Antofagasta Costa
|
23°S-24°S: Antofagasta interior, Toconao, Peine, Tilomonte, Salar de Atacama (sf19-15)
|
24°S-25°S: Punta Amarilla hasta Rada de Paposo
|
25°S-26°S: Taltal, Chañaral, Parque Nacional Pan de Azúcar (sg19-05)
|
25°S-26°S: Taltal, Oficina Chile
|
|
See also
In Spanish: Oficina salitrera para niños
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