page_title: Chañaral
section_title: Administration
hierarchical_section_title: Chañaral / Administration
caption_attribution_description: Español: Faro Monumental de Chañaral
context_page_description: Chañaral is a small coastal city and commune in the Atacama Region, Chile and capital of the Chañaral Province. It is a colourful town largely unknown by tourists, who generally head straight for towns such as San Pedro de Atacama. The town is considered unspoiled, with the benefit of having absolutely no high rise buildings. On the arid hills nearby is a lighthouse which casts a beam over the town during the night. Throughout the day and night, there is a lively, bustling atmosphere on the narrow streets. Despite it being coastal, it is not a typical seaside resort, partly because the ocean is contaminated by the copper mining industry. Situated a short distance to the north is the Pan de Azúcar National Park.
context_section_description: As a commune, Chañaral is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years. The 2008-2012 alcalde was Hector Volta Rojas (PRSD), and the council has the following members:
  Carmen Rojas Cornejo (RN)
  Isabel Ogalde Álvarez (PS)
  Margarita Flores Salazar (PRSD)
  Mary Álamos Gutiérrez (PDC)
  Mery Schampke Galleguillos (PPD)
  Omar Monroy López (PRI)
  Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Chañaral is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Lautaro Carmona (PC) and Carlos Vilches (UDI) as part of the 5th electoral district, (together with Diego de Almagro and Copiapó). The commune is represented in the Senate by Isabel Allende Bussi (PS) and Baldo Prokurica Prokurica (RN) as part of the 3rd senatorial constituency (Atacama).
caption: View of Faro del Milenio lighthouse in Chañaral
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