Atacama Desert

Description	Begins with a brief geography lesson to orient the North American viewer to the size and climate of Chile. Scenes of indigenous shepherding in desert villages are followed by a visit to the Christmas celebration of the Virgin of Andecollo. Scenes at a giant open-pit copper mine at Chuquicamata show the extraction process from blasting ore to refining. Narration states that the Atacama holds the world's largest source of nitrate a history of this lucrative industry is summarized. The mineral riches of the region go to market at the sea ports of Tocapilla and Antofagasta. The wealth from Chile's natural resources are shown accruing in the prosperous, modern cities of Valparaiso and Santiago.
Creator	United States Information Agency United States. Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs
Contributor	Julien Bryan : cinematographer, narrator, producer William James : Cinematographer Philip Stapp : Graphics by Tom Cobb : Script by Louis Horst: Music by
Date Issued	1943
Spatial Coverage	Tocapilla, Chile Chuquicamata, Chile Chiuchiu, Chile Antofagasta, Chile El Tofo, Chile Andacollo, Chile
Duration	00:16:43
Color/Black & White	B&W
Sound/Silent	Sound
Nation of Origin	U.S.