“Apenas tenemos el agua suficiente para nuestras máquinas”: Estado, minería y tecnologías hídricas en el desierto de Atacama Taltal, 1870-1930

Abstract

This paper studies the Atacama desert’s southern region and the territorial changes which ocurred between 1870-1930 in relation to water resources, focused on the modification of the level of demand due to the region’s incorporation and its mineral production. This change implied the settlement of thousands of workers and the transformation of water needs, thus turning it into an essential resource for capitalist production.

Keywords

• Government Construction
• Water
• Nitrate
• Taltal
•  Atacama