Province · Atacama Region
# Copiapó Province

Copiapó Province is a province of Chile in Atacama Region. It had an estimated 208,456 people in 2022 on 32,726 km² (about 6.4 per km²). Its main town is Copiapó. It is divided into 3 communes. 165 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 715 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.
- 208,456 people (2022)
- 32,726 km²
- 3 communes
- 715 mapped services

## How many people live in Copiapó Province?

Copiapó Province had an estimated 208,456 people in 2022 — 65.6% of Atacama Region, 27th of 56 provinces. There are 983 women for every 1,000 men (close to the Atacama Region figure of 982). Spread over 32,726 km², that is about 6.4 people per km², 41st of 56 provinces.

21.9% of people are children under 15 and 10.5% are 65 or older; the median age is about 34 years (it is 34 across Atacama Region). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 48 children and older people.
- 0–4 13,636
- 5–9 15,645
- 10–14 16,396
- 15–19 13,924
- 20–24 14,711
- 25–29 16,564
- 30–34 18,189
- 35–39 15,813
- 40–44 14,127
- 45–49 12,944
- 50–54 12,246
- 55–59 11,994
- 60–64 10,370
- 65–69 8,287
- 70–74 5,543
- 75–79 3,577
- 80+ 4,490

Source: UNFPA and Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas de Chile (INE) via OCHA HDX, population 2022 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Where is Copiapó Province?

Copiapó Province lies in Atacama Region, Chile. It borders 2 other provinces: Chañaral Province and Huasco Province. By area it is the 8th largest of 56 provinces in Chile. It covers 43.2% of Atacama Region. The centre of Copiapó Province is about 649 km in a straight line from Santiago, the capital. The centre point is at 27.6430° S, 69.9957° W.

Source: La Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile (BCN) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO).

## Things to see in and around Copiapó Province

OpenStreetMap lists 93 named sights in Copiapó Province: 17 viewpoints; 13 attractions; 13 nature reserves; 12 volcanos; 8 memorials; 8 beachs; 7 museums; 7 archaeological sites; 4 monuments; 2 ruins; 2 castles and forts.
- Museo Casa Tornini · museum
- Museo Histórico Militar de Copiapó · museum
- Museo Mineralógico · museum
- Museo Paleontológico de Caldera · museum
- Museo Regional de Atacama · museum
- Museo de mina San José · museum
- Museo minero de Tierra Amarilla · museum
- Choza Changa · archaeological site
- Establecimiento Metalurgista de Viña del Cerro · archaeological site
- Establecimiento metalurgista inca de Viña del Cerro · archaeological site
- Iglesia Colorada · archaeological site
- Palacio Incaico La Puerta · archaeological site
- Petroglifos Las Lisas · archaeological site
- Pucará de Punta Brava · archaeological site
- Fortaleza Esmeralda · castle or fort
- Villa Viña de Cristo · castle or fort
- Bien Nacional Protegido Isla Grande · nature reserve
- Bien Nacional Protegido Punta Morro - Desembocadura Río Copiapó · nature reserve
- Bien Nacional Protegido Quebrada Leones · nature reserve
- Bien Nacional Protegido Yacimiento Paleontológico Cerro Ballena · nature reserve
- Humedal Urbano Parque Kaukari · nature reserve
- Parque Nacional Desierto Florido · nature reserve
- Parque Nacional Nevado de Tres Cruces · nature reserve
- Parque Paleontológico Los Dedos · nature reserve
- Reserva Natural Municipal Granito Orbicular · nature reserve
- Santuario de la Naturaleza Desembocadura Río Copiapó · nature reserve
- Santuario de la Naturaleza Granito Orbicular · nature reserve
- Santuario de la Naturaleza Humedal Costero de Totoral · nature reserve
- Sitio Ramsar Complejo Lacustre Laguna del Negro Francisco y Laguna Santa Rosa · nature reserve
- Chorrillos · beach

…and 63 more.

Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Copiapó Province
- Time zone UTC−3 (summer UTC−4) · America/Santiago
- Currency Peso (CLP)
- Country calling code +56
- Languages Spanish
- Plug types Type C, L · 220 V
- Driving side Right
- Postcode format 7 digits (#######)

### Nearest airports
- Desierto de Atacama Airport (CPO) · Copiapo 88 km
- Ricardo García Posada Airport (ESR) · El Salvador 150 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 13.9 hours, sunrise around 06:38) and shortest in Jun (about 10.4 hours, sunrise around 08:27, sunset around 18:52).

Source: GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03; OurAirports (public domain).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Communes of Copiapó Province
| Commune | People | per km² | Area km² | Localities | Services |
| Copiapó | 174,309 | 9.8 | 17,761 | 80 | 525 |
| Caldera | 19,746 | 5.3 | 3,699 | 31 | 163 |
| Tierra Amarilla | 14,401 | 1.3 | 11,266 | 56 | 27 |

Source: La Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile (BCN) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO); UNFPA and Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas de Chile (INE) via OCHA HDX, population 2022 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Villages and localities in Copiapó Province

Open gazetteers list 165 villages, towns and localities in Copiapó Province. The largest with a recorded population: Copiapó (129,280), Caldera (16,150) and Tierra Amarilla (12,898). Settlements here lie between about 11 m and 4,117 m above sea level (median 881 m).
- Agua
- Algarrobo
- Algarrobo de La Virgen
- Alto del Palomar
- Altos de Siena
- Amolana
- Bahía Inglesa
- Bahía Loreto
- Bahía Salada
- Barrabas
- Barranquilla
- Barrio Maray
- Bodega
- Borgoño
- Buen Retiro
- Burro Muerto
- Cachitos
- Caldera
- Calderilla
- Caleta Cisne
- Caleta Los Patos
- Caleta Maldonado
- Caleta Obispito
- Caleta Pajonales
- Caleta Totoral
- Cancha de Carretas
- Carpa Número Cuatro
- Carrera Pinto
- Carrizalillo
- Carrizalillo Grande
- Carrizo
- Caserones
- Caserón
- Cerro Imán
- Chamonate
- Chamonate Oriente
- Checo de Plata
- Chulo
- Comunidad Amigos del Mar
- Comunidad Inti Wañuy
- Condominio Don Emilio Escobar y Ossa
- Condominio Luis Bogdanic II
- Copiapó
- Costa Rica
- Dos Hermanas
- Dos Hermanos
- El Cobre
- El Fuerte
- El Palomar
- El Torín
- El Yeso
- Elisa de Bordos
- Florida
- Galleguillos
- Hacienda Margarita
- Hornito
- Hornitos
- Iglesia Colorada
- Ingenio
- Juntas de Montosa
- Juntas del Potro
- La Catorce Mil
- La Cebolla
- La Copa
- La Guardia
- La Junta
- La Parcela
- La Posada
- La Puerta
- La Turbina
- Laguna
- Las Terrazas de Bahía
- Llanos de la Candelaria
- Loma Aguirre
- Loma El Lindero
- Los Caserones
- Los Graneros
- Los Llanos
- Los Loros
- Los Olivos
- Los Perales
- Los Realitos
- Los Ángeles
- Loteo Alto Bahía
- Manflas
- María Isabel
- Mina Esmeralda
- Mina Rosa de Puquyos
- Mirador
- Mirador de Charito
- Molino
- Máquina Atacama
- Nantoco
- Nueva Caldera
- Ojanco Nuevo
- Pabellón
- Paipote
- Perales
- Piedra Colgada
- Piedra Luna
- Planta Biocobre
- Playa La Virgen
- Playa Los Patos
- Población Doña Inés
- Población Juan Pablo II
- Polvareda
- Port de Contarito
- Puerto Viejo
- Pulpito
- Pulpo
- Punta Negra
- Punta Obispito
- Punta de Bateas
- Punta de Díaz
- Punta del Cobre
- Puquios
- Quebrada Carrizallilo
- Ramadilla
- Ranchos de Don Goyo
- Resguardo de Copiapó
- Rocas Negras
- Rodeo
- Rodillo
- Rosario
- Río Manflas
- Río Pulido
- Salinas
- Salto de Los Marayes
- San Andrés
- San Antonio
- San Camilo
- San Fernando
- San Francisco
- San Juan
- San Pedro
- San Pedro Dos
- Santa Elvira
- Santa Terecita
- Tambería
- Tierra Amarilla
- Toledo
- Totoral
- Totoralillo
- Tranque Lautaro
- Tres Puentes
- Valle Fértil
- Valle de Viñas
- Villa Codelco
- Villa El Cerro
- Villa Esperanza Alto
- Villa Iglesia Punta Negra
- Villa Inglesa
- Villa La Estrellita
- Villa Las Dunas
- Villa Las Industrias
- Villa Las Playas
- Villa Las Vertientes
- Villa Los Carrera
- Villa Los Mineros
- Villa Los Olmos
- Villa María
- Villa del Cerro
- Vizcachas
- Viñita del Palomar
- Yerba Buena

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features; © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

## Landscape and landmarks of Copiapó Province

Named natural and historic features inside Copiapó Province, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

64 rivers and streams; 5 lakes; 1 reservoir or tank.
- Arroyo Laguna de Montosa
- Arroyo Tolar
- Embalse Lautaro
- Estero Come Caballos
- Laguna Los Helados
- Laguna Santa Rosa
- Laguna Verde
- Laguna de Montosa
- Laguna del Negro Francisco
- Quebrada Acerillos
- Quebrada Aránguiz
- Quebrada Berrocal Alto
- Quebrada Berrocal Bajo
- Quebrada Cadillal
- Quebrada Conchas
- Quebrada Estancilla
- Quebrada Matamoros
- Quebrada Mondaquita
- Quebrada Noriega
- Quebrada Pastillitos
- Quebrada Piuquenes
- Quebrada Plaza
- Quebrada Ponchito
- Quebrada Ramadas

…and 46 more.

### Coast and islands

33 headlands; 5 islands; 4 beaches.
- Isla García
- Isla Grande
- Isla Ruky
- Islote Cima Cuadrada
- Islote Ramadas
- Playa Blanca
- Playa Brava
- Playa de Maldonado
- Playa de la Gallina
- Punta Bandurrias
- Punta Barranquillas
- Punta Cabeza de Vaca
- Punta Cachos
- Punta Caldera
- Punta Caldereta
- Punta Calderilla
- Punta Caleta
- Punta Dallas
- Punta Este
- Punta Ester
- Punta Francisco
- Punta Frödden
- Punta Fuerte
- Punta Hardy

…and 18 more.

### Hills and mountains

300 mountains; 75 mountain passes; 51 hills.
- Cerro Azufre · 6,044 m
- Cerro El Fraile · 6,009 m
- Cerro Laguna Verde · 5,865 m
- Cerro Mulas Muertas · 5,864 m
- Nevado Jotabeche · 5,862 m
- Cerro Los Tronquitos · 5,636 m
- Cerro de Caserones · 5,519 m
- Cerro Solo · 5,502 m
- Cerro Aguas Blancas · 5,435 m
- Cerro Tres Cruces · 5,412 m
- Cerro Sin Nombre · 5,373 m
- Cerro Sur Caserones · 5,342 m
- Cerro Los Helados · 5,324 m
- Cerro Cadillal · 5,288 m
- Cerro de la Gallina · 5,235 m
- Cerro Ojos de Agua · 5,233 m
- Cerro Bayo · 5,183 m
- Cerro Colorado · 5,176 m
- Cerro Pulido · 5,158 m
- Cerro Ciénaga Redonda · 5,114 m
- Cerro Nevados de Juncalito · 5,092 m
- Cerro Pastillitos · 5,073 m
- Cerro Quebrada Seca · 5,059 m
- Cerro Lajitas · 5,051 m

…and 402 more.

### History

5 ruins.
- Codocedo
- El Molle
- Juan Godoy
- Pajonales
- San Bartolo

### Getting around

18 railway stations; 3 airfields; 2 airports; 2 ports; 1 lighthouse.
- Aeródromo Chamonate
- Alto del Fraile
- Caldera
- Caldera Railway Station (historical)
- Carpa Número Dos
- Carpa Número Uno
- Caserón
- Castilla
- Checo
- Desierto de Atacama Airport
- Desierto de Atacama Airport
- Estación Carrera Pinto
- Estación Llampos
- Estación Pabellón
- Estación Paipote
- Ladrillos
- Margarita
- Nantoco
- Neira
- Puerto Calderilla
- Puerto de Caldera
- Punta Caldera Lighthouse
- Punta del Cobre
- Ramadillas

…and 2 more.

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features.

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Copiapó Province and the best time to visit

In Copiapó Province, the warmest month is Jan (average 20 °C) and the coolest is Jul (13 °C). About 41 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jun (7 mm) and the driest Oct (1 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are January to December.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
| Month | Average °C | Rain mm |
| Jan | 20 | 3 |
| Feb | 19 | 3 |
| Mar | 19 | 3 |
| Apr | 17 | 2 |
| May | 15 | 5 |
| Jun | 13 | 7 |
| Jul | 13 | 6 |
| Aug | 14 | 5 |
| Sep | 15 | 2 |
| Oct | 17 | 1 |
| Nov | 18 | 2 |
| Dec | 19 | 2 |

Source: NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Copiapó Province

Places mapped inside Copiapó Province in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.
- Hospitals 27
- Banks 32
- Petrol pumps 28
- Hotels 138
- Shopping malls 19
- Schools 119
- Colleges and universities 25
- Cinemas 3
- Pharmacies 31
- Restaurants 252
- Police stations 15
- Dental clinics 26

Source: Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers
- Where is Copiapó Province? In Atacama Region, Chile
- What is the population of Copiapó Province? 208,456 (2022 estimate)
- What is the median age in Copiapó Province? About 34 years (2022 estimate)
- What is the population density of Copiapó Province? About 6.4 people per km²
- What borders Copiapó Province? Chañaral Province and Huasco Province
- What is there to see in Copiapó Province? Acueducto Amolanas, Acueducto de Amolanas, Antiguo Terminal de Hierro, Bahía de Caldera
- What time zone is Copiapó Province in? UTC−3 (summer UTC−4)
- What currency is used in Copiapó Province? Peso (CLP)
- What language is spoken in Copiapó Province? Spanish (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Copiapó Province? 165 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Copiapó Province? Settlements lie between 11 m and 4,117 m
- How many reservoirs and tanks are in Copiapó Province? 1 named in GeoNames
- What is the highest point in Copiapó Province? Cerro Azufre (6,044 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Copiapó Province? January to December
- How many hospitals are in Copiapó Province? 27 mapped
- How many banks are in Copiapó Province? 32 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Copiapó Province? 28 mapped
- What is the P-code of Copiapó Province? CL031 (OCHA common operational dataset)

At a glance
- Type: Province
- Area: 32,725.5 km²
- P-code: CL031
- Region: Atacama Region
- Main town: Copiapó

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Canonical: https://wherepedia.org/chile/atacama/copiapo/ · Updated 2026-11-03 · Data: national censuses and statistics offices (sources named in each section); © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); Overture Maps; GeoNames; NASA POWER.