Mejillones
Encyclopedia
Mejillones is a Chile
an port city and commune in Antofagasta Province
, Antofagasta Region
. Its name is the plural form of the Spanish mejillón meaning "mussel", referring to a particularly abundant species and preferred staple food of its indigenous inhabitants. It is situated in the northern side of the Mejillones Peninsula, 60 km north of the city of Antofagasta
. To the west, in the northern part of peninsula, is Punta de Angamos, site of the naval combat of the same name, fought during the War of the Pacific
.
Mejillones is surrounded by the waters of the Pacific Ocean
to the west and by one of the most arid deserts in the world to the east, the Atacama
. It also marks the country's widest point along a parallel (362 km).
Between 1838 and 1839, French businessmen known as "Hermano Latrille" ("Brothers Latrille"), contracted mining services of the Copiapino
Juan López (miner known as Chango Lopez, considered the founder of Antofagasta
), to mine guano deposits located south of Mejillones. In this manner, Luan López began ming around the vicinity of San Luciano hill in 1841. The concession for the mining of this raw material
was obtained by Domingo Latrille at the hands of the Bolivia
n government, which would last until 1842. Between 1841 and 1842, they made the largest shipments of this product to Europe.
In 1845, President of Bolivia
Manuel Isidoro Belzu
had a small fort built on the south side of Mejillones, to become a minor port of Bolivia.
The Bolivian government proposed, through the development of a project, to establish a major port city in the enormous jurisdiction of Mejillones.
In 1866, Bolivia and Chile mutually agreed to finance the construction of the Oficinas de Administración y Resguardo de Aduanas ("Offices of Administration and Security of Customs") with officials of both countries as a way to protect the interests of Chilean workers and for the implementation of the Bolivian government of a tax rate on the export of minerals, primarily salt and guano. Subsequently, one of these buildings was transferred to the city of Antofagasta during the War of the Pacific. Currently, this building is still in force and designated as the Regional Museum in the city.
On October 8, 1879, the Battle of Angamos
was fought here in front of the peninsula of Angamos between the Chilean
and Peruvian
navies, which ended in the Chilean capture of the monitor
Huáscar
. Afterward, the increasingly prosperous nitrate industry showed a boom going through the port at Mejillones, where the mineral boarded on the Antofagasta railroad left for foreign ports abroad. During this time, strong waves wreaked havoc on the shipping facilities, which required the reestablishment of Mejillones, this time reborn under the Chilean flag.
Also after the War of the Pacific, administrative organization began, which in the case of Mejillones wiould involve the preparation of urban planning in agreement with the existing type of port. This work was commissioned to naval engineer Emilio de Vitds. The plan, which was perhaps more realistic than those proposed before, was based on 63 city blocks and was completed with the Foundation Act (Acta de Fundación), signed by president
Germán Riesco
and dated February 7, 1906.
In 1970, a majority vote approved the bill presented by Mayor Araya Cuadra to build a theater located across the rear of the Plaza Almirante Latorre. The work was carried out with the grant of a loan by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in the amount of $500,000. Such funding would not satisfy the completion of the project, and work stopped in 1972 pending the granting of a loan extension that failed to materialize by the time of the coup of the Armed Forces of September 11th of 1973.
s and 530 (5.3%) in rural areas. At that time, there were 4,654 men and 3,764 women residing in the commune. In the ten years since the previous census of 1992 (pop. 6,315), the population grew 33.3% (2,103 persons). It is expected to grow after the construction of Megapuerto de Mejillones, due to be Chile's biggest sea port, expected to be completed around 2030.
, headed by an alcalde
who is directly elected every four years.
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Mejillones is represented in the Chamber of Deputies
by Mr. Pedro Araya (PRI) and Mr. Manuel Rojas (UDI) as part of the 4th electoral district, (together with Antofagasta
, Sierra Gorda
and Taltal
). The commune is represented in the Senate
by Carlos Cantero Ojeda (Ind.
) and José Antonio Gómez Urrutia (PRSD
) as part of the 2nd senatorial constituency (Antofagasta Region).
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an port city and commune in Antofagasta Province
Antofagasta Province
Antofagasta Province is one of three provinces in the northern Chilean region of Antofagasta . The capital is the port city of Antofagasta. Located within the Atacama Desert, it borders the El Loa and Tocopilla provinces to the north, Bolivia to the west and the Atacama Region to the...
, Antofagasta Region
Antofagasta Region
The II Antofagasta Region is one of Chile's fifteen first-order administrative divisions. It comprises three provinces, Antofagasta, El Loa and Tocopilla...
. Its name is the plural form of the Spanish mejillón meaning "mussel", referring to a particularly abundant species and preferred staple food of its indigenous inhabitants. It is situated in the northern side of the Mejillones Peninsula, 60 km north of the city of Antofagasta
Antofagasta
Antofagasta is a port city in northern Chile, about north of Santiago. It is the capital of Antofagasta Province and Antofagasta Region. According to the 2002 census, the city has a population of 296,905...
. To the west, in the northern part of peninsula, is Punta de Angamos, site of the naval combat of the same name, fought during the War of the Pacific
War of the Pacific
The War of the Pacific took place in western South America from 1879 through 1883. Chile fought against Bolivia and Peru. Despite cooperation among the three nations in the war against Spain, disputes soon arose over the mineral-rich Peruvian provinces of Tarapaca, Tacna, and Arica, and the...
.
Mejillones is surrounded by the waters of the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
to the west and by one of the most arid deserts in the world to the east, the Atacama
Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert is a plateau in South America, covering a strip of land on the Pacific coast, west of the Andes mountains. It is, according to NASA, National Geographic and many other publications, the driest desert in the world...
. It also marks the country's widest point along a parallel (362 km).
History
The settlement of Mejillones dates back to the first communities of Chango people who inhabited the coastal area from 1825.Between 1838 and 1839, French businessmen known as "Hermano Latrille" ("Brothers Latrille"), contracted mining services of the Copiapino
Copiapó
Copiapó is a city in northern Chile, located about 40 miles east of the coastal town of Caldera. Founded on December 8, 1744, it is the capital of Copiapó Province and Atacama Region....
Juan López (miner known as Chango Lopez, considered the founder of Antofagasta
Antofagasta
Antofagasta is a port city in northern Chile, about north of Santiago. It is the capital of Antofagasta Province and Antofagasta Region. According to the 2002 census, the city has a population of 296,905...
), to mine guano deposits located south of Mejillones. In this manner, Luan López began ming around the vicinity of San Luciano hill in 1841. The concession for the mining of this raw material
Raw material
A raw material or feedstock is the basic material from which a product is manufactured or made, frequently used with an extended meaning. For example, the term is used to denote material that came from nature and is in an unprocessed or minimally processed state. Latex, iron ore, logs, and crude...
was obtained by Domingo Latrille at the hands of the Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
n government, which would last until 1842. Between 1841 and 1842, they made the largest shipments of this product to Europe.
In 1845, President of Bolivia
President of Bolivia
The President of Bolivia is head of state and head of government of Bolivia. According to the current Constitution, the president is elected by popular vote to a five year term, renewable once...
Manuel Isidoro Belzu
Manuel Isidoro Belzu
Manuel Isidoro Belzu Humerez was president of Bolivia from 1848 to 1855.-Early life and education:Born in La Paz, Bolivia to humble mestizo parents, Belzu was educated by Franciscan friars.-Early career:...
had a small fort built on the south side of Mejillones, to become a minor port of Bolivia.
The Bolivian government proposed, through the development of a project, to establish a major port city in the enormous jurisdiction of Mejillones.
In 1866, Bolivia and Chile mutually agreed to finance the construction of the Oficinas de Administración y Resguardo de Aduanas ("Offices of Administration and Security of Customs") with officials of both countries as a way to protect the interests of Chilean workers and for the implementation of the Bolivian government of a tax rate on the export of minerals, primarily salt and guano. Subsequently, one of these buildings was transferred to the city of Antofagasta during the War of the Pacific. Currently, this building is still in force and designated as the Regional Museum in the city.
On October 8, 1879, the Battle of Angamos
Battle of Angamos
The Battle of Angamos was fought on October 8, 1879, during the naval stage of the War of the Pacific . The Chilean Navy, commanded by Captain Galvarino Riveros and Captain Juan Jose Latorre surrounded and captured the ironclad Huáscar, commanded by Rear Admiral Miguel Grau Seminario, who died in...
was fought here in front of the peninsula of Angamos between the Chilean
Chilean Navy
-Independence Wars of Chile and Peru :The Chilean Navy dates back to 1817. A year before, following the Battle of Chacabuco, General Bernardo O'Higgins prophetically declared "this victory and another hundred shall be of no significance if we do not gain control of the sea".This led to the...
and Peruvian
Peruvian Navy
The Peruvian Navy is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the Peruvian littoral...
navies, which ended in the Chilean capture of the monitor
Monitor (warship)
A monitor was a class of relatively small warship which was neither fast nor strongly armoured but carried disproportionately large guns. They were used by some navies from the 1860s until the end of World War II, and saw their final use by the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.The monitors...
Huáscar
Huáscar (ship)
Huáscar is a 19th century small armoured turret ship of a type similar to a monitor. She was built in Britain for Peru and played a significant role in the battle of Pacocha and the War of the Pacific against Chile before being captured and commissioned with the Chilean Navy. Today she is one of...
. Afterward, the increasingly prosperous nitrate industry showed a boom going through the port at Mejillones, where the mineral boarded on the Antofagasta railroad left for foreign ports abroad. During this time, strong waves wreaked havoc on the shipping facilities, which required the reestablishment of Mejillones, this time reborn under the Chilean flag.
Also after the War of the Pacific, administrative organization began, which in the case of Mejillones wiould involve the preparation of urban planning in agreement with the existing type of port. This work was commissioned to naval engineer Emilio de Vitds. The plan, which was perhaps more realistic than those proposed before, was based on 63 city blocks and was completed with the Foundation Act (Acta de Fundación), signed by president
President of Chile
The President of the Republic of Chile is both the head of state and the head of government of the Republic of Chile. The President is responsible of the government and state administration...
Germán Riesco
Germán Riesco
Germán Riesco Errázuriz was a Chilean political figure, and he served as President of Chile between 1901 and 1906.-Early life:...
and dated February 7, 1906.
In 1970, a majority vote approved the bill presented by Mayor Araya Cuadra to build a theater located across the rear of the Plaza Almirante Latorre. The work was carried out with the grant of a loan by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in the amount of $500,000. Such funding would not satisfy the completion of the project, and work stopped in 1972 pending the granting of a loan extension that failed to materialize by the time of the coup of the Armed Forces of September 11th of 1973.
Demographics
According to data from the 2002 census by the National Institute of Statistics, the Mejillones commune has 10,042 inhabitants; of these, 7,888 (78.6%) live in urban areaUrban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
s and 530 (5.3%) in rural areas. At that time, there were 4,654 men and 3,764 women residing in the commune. In the ten years since the previous census of 1992 (pop. 6,315), the population grew 33.3% (2,103 persons). It is expected to grow after the construction of Megapuerto de Mejillones, due to be Chile's biggest sea port, expected to be completed around 2030.
Administration
As a commune, Mejillones is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal councilMunicipal council
A municipal council is the local government of a municipality. Specifically the term can refer to the institutions of various countries that can be translated by this term...
, headed by an alcalde
Alcalde
Alcalde , or Alcalde ordinario, is the traditional Spanish municipal magistrate, who had both judicial and administrative functions. An alcalde was, in the absence of a corregidor, the presiding officer of the Castilian cabildo and judge of first instance of a town...
who is directly elected every four years.
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Mejillones is represented in the Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of Deputies of Chile
The Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Chile is the lower house of Chile's bicameral Congress. Its organisation and its powers and duties are defined in articles 42 to 59 of Chile's current constitution....
by Mr. Pedro Araya (PRI) and Mr. Manuel Rojas (UDI) as part of the 4th electoral district, (together with Antofagasta
Antofagasta
Antofagasta is a port city in northern Chile, about north of Santiago. It is the capital of Antofagasta Province and Antofagasta Region. According to the 2002 census, the city has a population of 296,905...
, Sierra Gorda
Sierra Gorda
The Sierra Gorda is an ecological region centered on the northern third of the state of Querétaro and extending into the neighboring states of Guanajuato, Hidalgo and San Luis Potosí...
and Taltal
Taltal
Taltal is a Chilean commune and city in Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta Region. According to the 2002 census, the commune population was 11,000 and has an area of ....
). The commune is represented in the Senate
Senate of Chile
The Senate of the Republic of Chile is the upper house of Chile's bicameral National Congress, as established in the current Constitution of Chile.-Composition:...
by Carlos Cantero Ojeda (Ind.
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
) and José Antonio Gómez Urrutia (PRSD
Social Democrat Radical Party
The Social Democratic Radical Party is a social democratic party in Chile.The party is a member of Socialist International....
) as part of the 2nd senatorial constituency (Antofagasta Region).