Copiapó, Chile

Capital City

With a population of just 150,804, Copiapó is a small city in northern Chile's arid Atacama Desert. The mining industry dominates the economy, but the region's persistent droughts and occasional earthquakes are a constant headache for residents. While the city boasts a historic railway and attractive architecture, the bureaucratic hassles of daily life can be a grind. Copiapó is best suited for those drawn to the country's rugged mining culture and willing to endure the harsh realities of desert living.