Thanks to the exploitation of the reserves of saltpetre in the north of Chile, Iquique becamean important port in the 19th Century. Thewealth of this period has become embodiedin buildings such as the (ex) Customs House,the Clock Tower in the main square and theMunicipal Theatre. Other buildings and areaswith attractive period architecture include theSpanish Casino and the beautiful mansionsof Baquedano Street. One of the mostemblematic battles between Chile and Peruand Bolivia in the War of the Pacific (1879 –1833 ) took place off the shore of Iquique – theNaval Combat of Iquique. Following this battle,the city passed from Peruvian to Chileanhands. Today it is an important commercialcentre in the north of the country, thanks tothe exploitation of its fishing resources andthe fact that it has been declared a tax freecommercial zone. In summer its beaches arein much demand from Chileans and Boliviansand it is also the capital and administrativecentre for the Region of Tarapacá.