Vallenar

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Vallenar
Paitanas
Location of Vallenar commune in the Atacama Region
Location of Vallenar commune in the Atacama Region
Vallenar (Chile)
Vallenar
Vallenar
Location in Chile
Coordinates: 28°34′15″S 70°45′29″W / -28.57083, -70.75806
Country Chile
Region Atacama
Province Huasco
Founded 1789
Government
 - Mayor
Area
 - Total 7,083.7 km² (2,735 sq mi)
Population (2002)
 - Total 48,040
Time zone Chilean (UTC-4)
 - Summer (DST) Chilean Daylight (UTC-3)
postal code
Area code(s) country + city =
Website: http://www.vallenar.cl

Vallenar is a city and commune in Atacama Region, Chile. It is the capital of the Huasco Province and is located in the valley of the Huasco River. Vallenar has 47,000 inhabitants. Its main activities are farming and mining. It was founded as San Ambrosio de Ballenary by Ambrose O'Higgins in 1789, after his birthplace in Ballynary in County Sligo in Ireland.

Llanos de Challe National Park is located 60 km northwest of the city of Vallenar.