La conquista de una frontera. Mentalidades y tecnologías en las vías de comunicación en el desierto de Atacama

Abstract

This paper reviews the ways in which man structured the conquering of desert spaces, mainly focusing on the 1880-1960 time framework, including previous data. It is important to highlight how, from initial pre- Hispanic spontaneity, man gets to the rationality of both high and low land complementarily to then observe the ideologies that will lead to greater state efforts to connect the area. In this sense, traffic is schematized from pre Columbus tracks to the building of the Pan-American Highway, together with how private and state railways were planned. Next, how wharfs changed into docks and then state ports is examined including the beginnings of the exploitation of air space and its infrastructure