Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works History, Travel Information, Facts And More
Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works
Rate Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works as Historical landmark here
PERSONAL INFORMATION
NAME
Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works
COUNTRY
Chile
ADDRESS
Ruta 16 km 47, Pozo Almonte, Tarapacá, Chile
HUMBERSTONE AND SANTA LAURA SALTPETER WORKS PICTURE
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About Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works
Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works are old saltpeter refineries belonging to the nineteenth century. Both of the sites are located in northern Chile. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 on the cultural category. As the derelict building was fragile, it became endangered on the same year it won the title of being a World Heritage Site. In 2019, it lost the status of the World Heritage Site. The area covered by the site is over 573 hectares. It is 45 kilometers away from the city of Iquique.
Some Lesser Known Facts About Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works
- The site is located in Pampas which is one of the driest deserts in the world. The living conditions here are very hostile and it wonders how thousands of workers worked here for more than 60 years.
- The largest deposits of saltpeter are found in this area. The product from here was supplied to Europe, North and South America and is directly responsible for the development of Chile.
- The workers at these sites were from Peru, Chile, and Bolivia who created a different Pampinos culture having their own language, creativity, and solidarity.
- Though a number of industrial installations and equipment were used by them only a leaching shed and a saltpeter grinder could be seen today.
- The products were transported through railways, a sample of an engine is kept on the site to explain the production process to the visitors.
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