Tacna

Department in the far south of Peru, in the angle between the Pacific coast and the Chilean frontier; area 16,076 sq km/6,207 sq mi; population (1996) 246,076. The capital is the city of Tacna. Cotton, vines, fruit, maize, and potatoes are grown here. The great copper mine of Toquepala is located near the border with the department of Moquegua.

Topographically, Tacna is extremely varied; the coastal part of the department is desert, interspersed with irrigated valleys, while the high Andean province of Tarata is a cold plateau region composed of grassland. The area is watered by the Sama and Locumba rivers. The waters of Lake Aricota, 80 km/50 mi to the north, are also now being tapped for irrigation and hydroelectric power for industry.

After being annexed in the Pacific War of 1879-83, Tacna was under Chilean control until 1929.