Lota is the poorest city in Chile and its history reminded me much of the Ruhrgebiet in Germany. It is also within the same transformation processes that run a bit more slowly here. The whole region was living from coal mining and the mines have first been socialized under Salvador Allende and later privatized again under Augusto Pinochet. When cheaper coal from Colombia arrived here the whole economy broke down.
Today Lota is turning towards tourism and there are some sights to visit. Most important is – as you might guess – the mining industry and the biggest mine open for tourists is called the devils mine. It is quite strange to see mines directly at the shore; in Europe we are used to have this places mainly in the interior land. In addition a family created a (only partially well-groomed) English landscape park – the contrast couldn’t be much bigger. Not the most beautiful town of Chile but a good insight in how the country developed during the last centuries.
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