Arica
- This article is about the city in Chile. For information on the Arica School and Arica Institute, please see Arica School
Arica is a port city in northern Chile, located only 18 km (11 miles) south of the border with Peru. It is the capital of the Arica Province in the Tarapacá Region and has a population of approximately 200,000, and is also known as the "city of the eternal spring". The city was part of Peru until 1880, when it was invaded by Chilean forces during the War of the Pacific. The taking of the Morro de Arica, one of the war's most famous actions, happened in this city.
Morro de Arica is a steep and tall hill located in the city. Its height is 139 meters above sea level. It was the last bulwark of defence for the allied troops standing in the city. It was assaulted on June 7, 1880 by Chilean troops in the last part of Campaña de Tacna. It was conquered in a short battle (its duration was supposed to be 55 minutes) where Chilean infantry had to run up the hill facing 2000 allied men commanded by Colonel Francisco Bolognesi. The assault was directed by Colonel Pedro Lagos, Juan Jose San Martin (died in battle) and Sargent Felipe solo de Zaldívar who riched the summit first.
Near the city is the Azapa Valley, an oasis where vegetables and Azapa olives are grown. Economically, it is an important port for Chilean ore, and its tropical latitute, dry climate, and the city's beach, have made Arica a popular tourist destination. It is also a centre of rail communication with Bolivia and has its own international airport. Arica has strong ties with the city of Tacna, Peru; many people cross the border everyday to visit this city, and also because many services (for example, dentists) are cheaper on the Peruvian side.
Arica is also known as one of the driest inhabited places on Earth, at least as measured by rainfall: average annual precipitation is 0.8 mm (0.03 inches), as measured at the airport meteorological station. Oxford geographer Nick Middleton's book on people who live in extreme climates, Going to Extremes (ISBN 0330493841), discusses his visit to this city.