On the northernmost tip of Chile lies the oasis of Arica, a coastal town not far from the Peruvian border. It sits on the edge of the Atacama Desert.

With its mild climate, warm waters, and perennial supply of fresh river water, it is a popular tourist destination and is known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’. It has many beaches that serve as resorts all year round. It almost never rains here; Arica receives less than 1 mm of rainfall in a year—the lowest in the world.

Arica has a population of about 200,000. Some of the earliest inhabitants belonged to the Chinchorro culture, which is known for its practice of mummification. Since 1953, when Arica became a free port, the region has become an important economic centre.

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