Asianometry The Long, Hard End of the Chilean Nitrates Industry
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May 22, 2025 Discover the fascinating history of nitrate mining in the Atacama Desert, a key player in global agriculture. Explore the territorial conflicts that arose over these valuable resources and meet the monopolists who shaped the industry. Uncover the technological advancements that led to the decline of this once-thriving enterprise, including a shift toward lithium battery production. This deep dive reveals the human stories and historical forces behind an industry that profoundly impacted nations.
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Atacama's Unique Nitrate Deposits
- The Atacama Desert's extreme dryness preserves valuable nitrate deposits over thousands of years.
- These nitrates are crucial as naturally fixed nitrogen, essential for plant life and agriculture.
War Over Nitrate Riches
- The War of the Pacific was fought over nitrate fields, with Chile eventually controlling them.
- The war landlocked Bolivia and shifted nitrate control, deeply impacting regional geopolitics.
John Thomas North's Nitrate Empire
- John Thomas North capitalized by buying up Peruvian nitrate certificates during war uncertainty.
- He formed the Liverpool Nitrate Company, becoming the "Nitrate King" and monopolizing industry capacity.