Tocopilla

Tocopilla
City and Commune
Port of Tocopilla
Coat of arms Map of Tocopilla commune in Antofagasta Region Tocopilla Location in Chile
Coordinates: 22°5′47″S 70°12′0″W / 22.09639°S 70.20000°W / -22.09639; -70.20000
Country	Chile
Region	Antofagasta
Province	Tocopilla
Founded	1843
Government
• Type	Municipal council
• Mayor	Fernando San Román Bascuñán
Area [1]
• Total	4,038.8 km2 (1,559.4 sq mi)
Elevation	154 m (505 ft)
Population  (2012 Census)[1]
• Total	24,247
• Density	6.0/km2 (16/sq mi)
• Urban	23,352
• Rural	634
Demonym	Tocopillian
Sex [1]
• Men	12,050
• Women	11,936
Time zone	UTC−4 (CLT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−3 (CLST)
Area code	+56 552
Climate	BWh
Website	Official website (in Spanish)

Tocopilla is a city and commune in the Antofagasta Region, in the north of Chile. It is the capital of the province that bears the same name.

Every year Tocopilla celebrates its anniversary on 29 September with a big show the day before, which includes a parade down in the main street of the city, food and a fireworks display at midnight.

The city is divided into two main parts consisting of the central city and smaller portion known as La Villa Sur (in which the more luxurious houses are located). The two parts are divided by the thermoelectric power plant and a large saltpeter processing and shipping plant, with the coastal highway connecting the two portions. The northern portion of Tocopilla is home of the municipal buildings, the central square and many stores and shops. The steep gradient of the city from beach to vertical hillside is covered in houses and apartments crammed together to save space. A large artificial beach called "Covadonga" and a small artificial beach called "Caleta Boy" are the main attractions during summer months and serve as a focus away from the heat of the Atacama. On the north side of the city, there is a black sandy beach called "El Panteón".

Tocopilla is the birthplace of artist Alejandro Jodorowsky and footballer Alexis Sánchez.