Arica is the northernmost city in Chile (only 18 km /11 miles) south of the Peruvian border and the capital of the Arica and Parinacota Region. The area was occupied by native peoples (including the Chinchorro culture) as far back as 10,000 years ago; the modern city was founded by the Spanish on 25th April 1541 and was the main export port for shipping much of the silver extracted from Cerro Rico in Potosí (now Bolivia) from the 16th-18th centuries. The city became part of the newly founded Republic of Peru in 1821 after the Wars of Independence until it was occupied by Chilean forces in 1880 during the War of the Pacific; it formally became part of Chile with the signing of the Treaty of Ancón in 1883. It is an important port (especially for Bolivian imports and exports) and resort town that is often known as the "City of the Eternal Spring" due to its mild climate. More images are available and will be added shortly, if you cannot find what you are looking for or want to see more images of a certain location / subject please get in touch!