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Mejillones is a commune and city in the Norte Grande of Chile, located 65 kilometers north of the city of Antofagasta, in the province and region of the same name.

The name “Mejillones” is plural of “mussel”, Choromytilus chorus, a mollusk of the Mytilidae family known in Chile as "choro" and which is characterized by being a small bivalve that is abundant on the northern coasts of the country and which was one of the main foods of the aboriginal inhabitants of the area.

Foundation

Mejillones was officially born on December 24, 1862 when the Chilean Government granted land in the La Caleta sector to the guaniferous company formed by Juan "Chango" López, Matías Torres and Juan Garday.

History

During the time of the Spanish Empire, Mejillones is mentioned as part of the Copiapó district of the Captaincy General of Chile.

On September 6, 1777, a Royal Order was issued referring to the collection related to the almojarifazgo and alcabalas in Chile, which mentions Mejillones and the surrounding towns as part of Chilean jurisdiction:

Although in the Corridor of Copiapó, whose head is the village of San Francisco de la Selva, the ports of Cobija and the bay of Mexillonesthe port of Betas, the port of Juncal, the one of Copiapó or the Caldera, Bahía Salada, the port of the Totoral and the of the Huasco, as are so accidental the arrivals of ships under this arrangement, and also to the short entrances that may occur by the mountain range, the way of the Despoblado and of territory of that jurisdiction, the administrator of this destination will propose the subject or subjects that concepture necessary for the best increase of
General Archive of the Indias of Seville, Audiencia de Chile, legajo 328.

Likewise, the map drawn up by the Spanish Navy in 1792 includes Chile from the 22nd parallel south, in other words, from the area of the Loa River. On the 1793 map drawn up by Andrés Baleato, director of the Nautical School of Lima, by order of Viceroy Francisco Gil de Taboada y Lemus, Chile has as its northern border the 21st and a half degrees, specifically the mouth of the Loa River, making explicit mention that the area was unpopulated and there had only recently been settlements from the 24th parallel.

Hipólito Unanue published the following about Peru in 1793:

The cove of Túmbez separates it in the north of the New Kingdom of Granada and the river Loa in the south of the Atacama Desert and the kingdom of Chile
Political, Ecclesiastical and Military Guide to the Surreinate of Peru of 1793

In the memory of Francisco Gil de Taboada that he gave to his successor Ambrosio O'Higgins in 1795, the limit between Peru and Chile, the Loa River, is described.

Between 1838 and 1839, Domingo Latrille discovered and exploited white guano in the cove and islets surrounding Punta Angamos. Such activity generated the issuance of a Law in 1841 through which Chile defined the 23rd parallel as its northern border.

The president of Chile, Manuel Bulnes, sent experts to reconnoitre the Atacama coast. He reported this to Congress in a message addressed on July 13, 1842, in which he reported that he judged:

We need to send a scout commission to examine the coastline between the port of Coquimbo and the Moor of Mejillones in order to find out if in the territory of the Republic there were some guaneras whose benefit could provide a new bouquet of income to the public estate...
Manuel Bulnes

As a result of said investigation, the law of October 13, 1842 was passed, which declared the guano plantations south of Mejillones Bay to be national property, and which established that no ship could load this product without permission from the authorities. Chileans. The President of the Republic was also empowered to tax the export of guano with customs duties.

In 1856 these deposits were exhausted, but in 1862 Juan “Chango" López discovers red guano at the top of the Mejillones hill, known as "el Morro". He, along with Matías Torres and Juan Garday, formed a company that exploited these deposits, but on February 17, 1863, the Chilean Government revoked the permits, due to claims from Bolivia.

In 1866, Chile and Bolivia reached an agreement by which Chile moved back from the 23rd to the 24th parallel, giving Bolivia the sovereignty of Mejillones and Antofagasta. At the same time, a common distribution of taxes on the exploitation of guano, saltpeter and other substances is defined between the 23rd and 25th parallels (Partnership Treaty), for which an intervening customs office is built in Mejillones.

Building of the illustrious municipality of Mexico.

In 1874, said treaty was replaced by another that eliminated the concept of party walls, with the sole exception that Bolivia agreed not to modify the taxes on products of Chilean companies for 25 years. After a change of regime, in 1878 Bolivia established a tax of 10 cents per quintal of saltpeter, which in Chile's opinion violated the Treaty and made its return to the old borders, at the 23rd parallel, mandatory. On February 14, 1879 Chile Antofagasta is taken, starting the War of the Pacific. This invasion triggers a reciprocal defense treaty secretly signed between Peru and Bolivia, which is why this country also enters the War.

Paradoxically, the fate of that war was largely settled off the coast of Mejillones, when on October 8, 1879, the Chilean fleet captured the Huáscar, with its commander Miguel Grau dying in combat, the most serious threat to war power. Chilean. Chile wins the war and annexes the current Antofagasta Region, which was in the power of Bolivia, and the regions of Iquique and Arica, which belonged to Peru.

As for the urban profile of the city, it is believed that the first plan of Mejillones as a port city was designed by Ramón González, although the option that it could really have been designed by the Port Captain and Chief of the Reservation is also being considered. Maritimeman of that time Captain Juan Forestal. This plan of 35 blocks, arranged according to the Spanish design of Damero, is dated 1871 in the book “Mejillones, a town with history”, the option of the plan dating from approximately 1867 is also being considered.

After this design, comes the ambitious project of the Chilean engineer Hugo Reck in 1873. This project of 680 blocks was to replace the destroyed city of Cobija, but, as a result of the War and other external causes, the project could not be completed. carry out.

Once the Pacific War was over, a complete administrative organization began in the recently annexed northern area of Chile, which in the case of Mejillones involved the preparation of a new city plan that the government proceeded to divide into lots for its subsequent auction..

Francisco Astaburoaga wrote in 1899 in his Geographical Dictionary of the Republic of Chile about the Bay of Mejillones, its port, existing facilities and services:

Mejillones (Bahía de).-—It opens on the coast of the department of Antofagasta, between the tip of Angamos to the S., and that of Chacaya to the N., forming a grove as a half circle with background towards the SE. and a width of about 20 kilometers. It is surrounded by naked medium hills of all vegetation, being the most conspicuous the morro of its own name. His best riser is at its bottom by the 23rd 02' Lat. and 70° 30' Lon.; is wide and warm. On land, in front of him, there was a fort in 1845 that gave beginning to the later population of the port. By decree of 15 October 1857, it was made available as a smaller port to serve the export of guano and copper, which began to extract from its immediate vicinity. In 1863, such work was paralyzed and depopulated because of disturbances with Bolivia, which had ceased by the 1866 treaty, improvements were promoted at this point that brought in October 1871 the establishment of customs offices and that of a lane track to the minerals of Cerro Gordo, and in 1873 the village of San Luciano. It has since April 12, 1878 the main port character, but its maritime movement is reduced. The name is that of the seafood called comumente choro (Mytilus chilensis).

Years later, in 1906, Don Emilio De Vidts was hired when the need to modernize the urban infrastructure, with the help of the Antofagasta Bolivia Railway Company (FCAB), became increasingly urgent. This plan, smaller than the previous one, only 139 blocks, was not carried out in its entirety and also has the peculiarity of having some blocks identical to Reck's plan.

The Chilean geographer, Luis Risopatrón describes it as a 'town' in his book Diccionario Jeográfico de Chile in 1924:

Mejillones (Pueblo) 23° 07' 70° 30'. It is short-story and sits on the S Marjen of the Bay of South Mejillones, where there was a fort, built in 1845 i the old town of San Luciano (1873); a large railway station is located at 14 m altitude, which is communicated by a line of 69 kilometers of lonjitude, with the city of Antofagasta.

In 1970, the project presented by Mayor Don Luis Cuadra Araya to finance the construction of a municipal theater located at the back of the city's main square, located on Almirante Latorre Street, was approved by a majority vote. The works were carried out with contributions granted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, for the sum of 500,000 escudos of the time, works that remained unfinished because said financing did not satisfy the full demand that the total operation of the project implied, paralyzing the works. in 1972. Due to the above, the government of the Province of Antofagasta was negotiating a new loan which could not be finalized due to the coup d'état by the Armed Forces of September 11, 1973.

Demography

The total area of the commune is 3,803.9 km². According to 2017 census data provided by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the total population of Mejillones is 13,467.

Administration

Industrialization

Given its coastal position in a protected bay, Mejillones has been affected in the last decade by a growing industrialization process, with mining companies in the region as its main client.

The first manifestations of economic growth in the city are reflected in the early 80s in the fishmeal processing plants. With 3 of these industries operating at maximum capacity (Guanaye, Angamos and Loa), the city thus focuses on the fishing sector. Despite the long years of economic and labor boom, the high demand in the fish catch quota ends up partially depleting the vital resource, thus putting an end to the period of prosperity in this important business sector, which is reflected in the closure and dismantling of 2 of the 3 processing plants (Guanaye and Loa), leaving only the current Pesquera Angamos in operation, producing sporadically.

In the period from the mid-90s to the present, a large number of industries linked to the mining sector have been developed in the commune. Among them, the thermoelectric plants of the company Edelnor and the Combined Cycle Thermal Plant Gas Atacama stand out, which together provide energy to a large part of the northern region and especially to mining. In addition, various projects are currently being executed, such as: the construction of the Cobra S.A thermoelectric plant and also the thermal plant owned by Posco E&C. In addition to the natural gas processing plant project LNG among others.

It is necessary to name the project Complejo Portuario Mejillones S.A. (CPM). The preparation of this large mega-project was carried out through international bidding, in order to award a private concession for its construction.

The project consists of 6 stages, of which the first is already fully operational and oriented to the mining market of the Norte Grande, its suppliers are mainly mining, as well as companies and industries from neighboring countries.

The characteristics of the bay and its terrain make the Port of Mejillones one of the most attractive port and industrial facilities on the Pacific coast of South America. The project will take shape as exports and maritime traffic increase. Consequently, its final completion is scheduled for approximately 40 to 50 more years. The Mejillones Port Complex incorporates state-of-the-art technology, unique in South America. Part of its equipment is two port cranes with the capacity to load up to 100 tons each. In addition to a modern lead concentrate discharge system.

Economy

In 2018, the number of companies registered in Mejillones was 217. The Economic Complexity Index (ECI) in the same year was -0.74, while the economic activities with the highest Revealed Comparative Advantage index (RCA) were Manufacturing of Primary Products of Precious Metals and Non-Ferrous Metals (96.96), Generation in Other Thermoelectric Plants (92.34) and Manufacturing of Basic Chemical Substances (38.11).

Flora and fauna

The little tern (Sternula lorata) is classified as endangered at the national and global levels by the National Commission for the Environment (CONAMA, 2006), and by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) respectively..

In recent years, the work of the Foundation for the Sustainability of the Little Gaviotín has been consolidated, aimed at contributing to the conservation of the Little Gaviotín and its habitat, considering the industrial development of the commune.

The Morro Moreno National Park, located on the Mejillones peninsula, is one of the biodiversity sites that the commune has.

Culture

In the artistic field, since 1976 to date there has been the 'Azotacalles' Literary School, which was born on November 26, 1976 under the name of Grupo Literario Genésis Poético and which in 1980 acquired its current nomination. It has been made up of writers such as Patricio Tapia Fredes (1948 -2013), Florentino Novoa Saavedra and Wilfredo Santoro Cerda (Let's make a jungle, El Chango López y lagartija, Poetas y Pioneros, Las huaneras de Mejillones reissue), all of them members of the SECH (Chilean Writers Society). Also part of this is the journalist Víctor Santoro Flores, author of the book "The box of species".

Infrastructure

The city has a wide range of historic buildings, characteristic of the European influence of the early 19th century and which They faithfully reflect the region's thriving railway past.

The building of the Former Customs Service was built between 1906 and 1910. It currently functions as the Historical and Natural Museum of Mejillones. It contains valuable historical information about Mejillones from its beginnings in the 19th century as a guano extraction center to the present. Books and photographs testify to its communal and regional evolution. In April 1909, the construction of three buildings corresponding to Customs services was put out to tender, such as the Customs Tenancy building, the Resguardo and the Customs offices. The cost of this construction reached $34,704.50 and in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 2102 of October 11, 1904, this amount was assumed by the Railway company. Block 20 of the original lot of the project by Navy Consulting Engineer Don Emilio de Vidts and executed in 1906 is assigned to it.

In its first years of use, its façade maintained a wooden pergola that covered the entire access and was later removed. The wooden fence that protected the access up to two meters high was cut in half, as it appears today.

The Harbor Master's Office has become one of the most significant postcards of the city. Its construction dates back to 1910 and is part of the plan of the new city of Mejillones. The plans for the building are attributed to Architect Leonello Bottacci, from the Architectural Inspection of the Public Works Directorate of the Antofagasta Region.

Always considered for maritime control tasks, it was called the “Port Captaincy” assigned to block 19 of the original subdivision of the communal plan by the Navy Consulting Engineer Don Emilio de Vidts, drawn up in 1906 according to Decree No. 2102 of the October 11, 1904. It is located on Francisco Antonio Pinto s/n street, on the coast. Its construction stands on two floors and its front points directly to the Pacific. After its construction (1914) the building was reinforced with concrete walls and rail anchors to protect the front from the intense waves that affect the northern coasts from time to time. Its ornaments (facade ornaments) stand out for the applications on the cornices and upper pediments that reaffirm the style of the building, balustrades and columns on balconies and stairs, giving it a harmonious detail throughout the figure of the property, both inside and outside. exterior of it.

The Heart of Mary Catholic Temple is one of the centenary buildings of the commune. In April 1907, the Directorate of Public Works proceeded to form the projects for public buildings in Mejillones, among them those of the “Catholic Temple” in accordance with the provisions of Law 1829 of February 7, 1906. Years later, the December 11, 1908, the new design of the future temple was approved, the work of the Chilean architect Onofre Montané Urrejola, according to the rulings of the Chilean state, which at that time was linked to the Catholic Church.

It is assigned block 42 of the original lot of the project of the Navy Consulting Engineer Don Emilio de Vidts, executed in 1906. Construction is based entirely on Oregon pine wood, it is said that it was brought in abundance from the United States as ballast by the sailboats that came to load saltpeter. Construction raised on one floor and located at the northeast vertex of the site, attached to the main body, are the parish offices and the Priest's House that complement the façade.

The spaciousness inside the main nave of the temple and the natural wood ornaments visible on the altar and pulpit stand out. On the outside, the design of the main nave is made up of a central body that reaches the maximum ridge, while the lower lateral bodies complement the temple in its entirety.

On the side and immediately above the height of the side roofs, 6 windows per side were designed, allowing light to enter the interior. The bell tower, also made of wood, rises at the front on the ridge, the lattices stand out on its four sides. The decorative applications on the main façade show a traditional style for this type of buildings, typical of the European influence in the country at the beginning of the 19th century .

The building of the Sub-Delegation Court was born from an urgent need to establish a judicial body in the nascent commune. Mejillones, not being a politically defined locality, remained as a Subdelegation dependent on the Commune of Antofagasta and therefore, one of the most important authorities was the Subdelegation Judge, dealing with all minor cases of crimes that occurred in the district.

Block 24 of the original subdivision project by the Navy Consulting Engineer Don Emilio de Vidts and executed in 1906 is assigned to it according to Decree No. 2102 of October 11, 1904.-

In a typical English neoclassical style, a mixed construction structured with beams and pillars of Oregon pine wood and walls of prefabricated concrete panels, its design is based on two blocks, which identify the first floor with the second, which differentiated the Court offices with the rooms intended for the Judge's house.

Mejillones is one of the few cities in Chile to be a 'digital city', since the free WiFi internet signal is in operation for the entire community. The digital literacy courses were carried out successfully.

Transports

The city has a public transportation service of Basic and Tourist Taxis, which make trips in and out of the city of Mejillones. In addition, there are Biaggini Buses with departures every half hour to the city of Antofagasta approximately from 6:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Mejillones can also be reached from other locations in Chile by Interurban Buses such as Pullman Bus, TurBus, among others.

Sports

Football

Mejillones since 2007 has been represented by the Mejillones Municipal Club, which is in the Third Division A of Chile, and operates its home base in the main sports center of the city, the Mejillones Municipal Stadium. Previously, Mejillones was represented in Soccer by the Cooferro Club, which participated in the Third Division North during 2006 but due to lack of financial support had to return to participate in its local association. It also has a local amateur soccer league that integrates several clubs, including the Manuel Prado Sports and Social Club, Fertilizados, Cooferro, Ferroviario-Angamos, Unión Marítimo, Estibadores de Génova, Juventus and Aviación.

Media

These are the media that are captured in the Puerto de Mejillones:

Radio stations

FM

89.3 MHz - FM Okey (Transmission from Antofagasta Sign)
91.5 MHz - FM Heart (Transmission from Antofagasta Sign)
92.1 MHz - FM Desert (Transmission from Antofagasta Sign)
93.9 MHz - Radio Charanga Latina (Transmission from the signal of Antofagasta)
94.3 MHz - Rinconada FM (Local)1
95.1 MHz - FM I want (Transmission from the signal of Antofagasta)
95.5 MHz - FM Plus (Local Repeater, transmits from Antofagasta.)1
96.5 MHz - Radio Carnival (Transmission from the signal of Antofagasta)
98.1 MHz - Radio Canal 95 (Local Repeater, transmits from Antofagasta)1
100.9 MHz - FM mussels (Local)1
102.1 MHz - Love FM (Local)1
102.5 MHz - Madero FM (Transmission from Antofagasta Sign)
102.9 MHz - Radio Gamelín FM (Local)1
103.3 MHz - Radio Centro FM (Transmission from the signal of Antofagasta)
104.3 MHz - Radio Litoral FM (Local)1
106.7 MHz - FM Plus (Transmission from Antofagasta Sign)
1 can be heard in some sectors of Antofagasta

Television

VHF

2 - Canal 2 TV (Local channel)
4 - Chilevision

Diaries

Mejillones Electronic Journal.

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