The construction industry has had remarkable growth as seen in the many recently constructed tall buildings, the extension of the urban area to the north of the city, and different urban projects as the renovation of the entire Costanera Avenue, and walkways of the city center.
In economic development, settled many retail chains and supermarkets as well as various high-quality hotel chains, which promoted business tourism to attract capital and trading partners in mining and port activity.
Similarly, the city was awarded the installation of the Casino Enjoy Antofagasta.

In the municipal elections of 2008, the first female mayor of the city, Dra.
Marcela Hernando, was elected, who retired from her political party to run as an independent.
This allowed her to have diverse support from all sectors of the population of Antofagasta.

Experts estimated in 2010 that by 2020 the city would reach a population of 500,000.
The construction industry has had remarkable growth as seen in the many recently constructed tall buildings, the extension of the urban area to the north of the city, and different urban projects as the renovation of the entire Costanera Avenue, and walkways of the city center. In economic development, settled many retail chains and supermarkets as well as various high-quality hotel chains, which promoted business tourism to attract capital and trading partners in mining and port activity. Similarly, the city was awarded the installation of the Casino Enjoy Antofagasta.
In the municipal elections of 2008, the first female mayor of the city, Dra. Marcela Hernando, was elected, who retired from her political party to run as an independent. This allowed her to have diverse support from all sectors of the population of Antofagasta.
Experts estimated in 2010 that by 2020 the city would reach a population of 500,000.
Antofagasta