Located at an altitude of 2,438 m, the village of San Pedro de Atacama is considered the archaeological capital of Chile. Inhabited as far back as 11,000 years ago, it was first a pre-Columbian settlement, then the main centre of the “Atacama” culture; the oasis was conquered by the Incas in 1450 and by the Spanish in 1536.
In the 19th century, San Pedro benefited from the development of the region's copper industry and became a hub for that trade. Today, the oasis is essentially an archaeological and tourist centre, where adobe buildings and small dirt streets welcome visitors throughout the year.
All around, the possibilities for excursions and the landscapes are numerous.
