Chile's Atacama Region (formerly Region III, area 75,176 km2 (29,026 sq miles) covers the southern part of the Atacama Desert, its capital is Copiapó. It is one of the least populated Regions in Chile; a mining boom in the second half of the 19th century drew many people to the area and mining is still the main industry. The desolate Puna de Atacama (shared with Argentina) in the east of the Region is home to several of the highest peaks in South America, including Nevado Ojos del Salado (6893m / 22,615 ft, the highest volcano in the world and 2nd highest peak in the Andes) near the Paso San Francisco border. Most of the mountains in this desolate high altitude desert region are of volcanic origin. The following separate galleries are also located in the Atacama Region: Nevado de Tres Cruces National Park, Llanos de Challe National Park.
