Currently there are several theories to explain the origin of the name Antofagasta. A clear consensus regarding the true origin of the word has not yet been determined.
It is probably a compound word that comes from the southern Cacan "anto" (or "hattun", which means �Grande� �big-), "faya" (or �haya�, which means �salar��dry lake-) and "gasta" (meaning �pueblo�), being a toponymy meaning "Pueblo del Salar Grande" (�Town of the great salt lake�).
According to other theories, it may be a compound word from the Quechua word "anta" (meaning �cobre� �copper-) and "Pakay" (meaning �esconder� �hidden-), being a toponymy meaning �Escondrijo del Cobre" (�Copper Cache"); could also be related to the Chango language, "Antofagasti" (meaning "Puerta del Sol"- Sun Gate-), how the changos called the current natural monument �La Portada�. However, it says the name Antofagasta is due to a decision by Manuel Mariano Melgarejo, who renamed the city in honor of a stay that had in Antofagasta de la Sierra, in 1870.
In Chile, Antofagasta is known as �La Perla del Norte� (The Pearl of the North), for its historical and economic importance.
Early settlers
Bolivia during the government of Andr�s de Santa Cruz, in 1837, created the �Departamento del Litoral�, which was divided into two provinces: La Mar (with capital Cobija) and Atacama (with its capital in San Pedro de Atacama) and 1868, Antofagasta would be the capital of the province of Mejillones.
On 18 September 1866, Jos� Santos Ossa and Francisco Puelma achieved the award of the concession of nitrate lands, following a request sent to the Bolivian government. The exploring of the chilean miners found rich deposits of saltpeter (nitratine) in the field of �Salar del Carmen�, to the east of the present Antofagasta. Agreed to form the �Sociedad Exploradora del Desierto de Atacama� (Explorer Society of Atacama Desert). After the formation of the company, began to
