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Long before the Spanish conquest the natural
port of Coquimbo was in use. It was secured for the Spanish
in 1550 by Pedro de Valdivia but it was not until 1850 that the
city of Coquimbo was officially established. During the
1840`s increased mining activity made Coquimbo the export centre
of the Region`s booming gold and copper industries.
This also brought many Europeans, especially the British, to the
area which has English style architecture, an English graveyard
and a steel church designed by the famous French architect Gustav
Eiffel. The land is full of mystery and stories about
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the pirates and corsairs who explored and plundered
the coast, especially Francis Drake, Sharp, Davies and others,
giving rise to the legend of buried treasure near the Herradura
(horseshoe) bay. Iron ore is exported from the bay and a
Sailors` Monument affords a panoramic view across the bay, port
and along the coast.
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The Port of Coquimbo benefits from the natural
protection of the bay and provides ideal mooring in "quiet
waters" which is the original meaning of Coquimbo. Today
the port is important for the export of fruit, especially the
early table grapes, copper, fish flour and tinned fish, it imports
wheat, maize, sugar and industrial products. Since 1994
the luxury cruise ships from the United States and Europe have
begun to make this a port of call in order to enjoy the Pacific
Coast of South America and the attractions of the Region.
INGSERVTUR attends the cruise
ships as the local representative for Shore Excursions and Sight
Seeing for Cruise passengers.
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Rising impressively above the city of Coquimbo is
the recently constructed Cross of the Third Millennium, this Christian
symbol is a celebration of the new millennium and will attract
many visitors to view the extensive panorama from the top of its
91 meter high structure. The coloured glass panel
contains 2000 pieces of glass representing the two thousand years
of Christianity, the twelve pillars represent the twelve Apostles.
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For
Information: info@ingservtur.cl
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Reservations: reservas@ingservtur.cl
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Page Beginning
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