Calama Population 2026
Calama has a population of 166,334, making it the #18 biggest city in 🇨🇱 Chile, located in Antofagasta. Roughly 0.8% of Chile's population lives here. It is about 29× smaller than Santiago, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
166,334
Rank in Chile
#18
Coordinates
22.46°S, 68.92°W
~2,275 m elevation · America/Santiago
Distance to capital (Santiago)
1,235 km
767 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Antofagasta
| City | Population | Rank in Chile |
|---|---|---|
| Antofagasta | 401,096 | #4 |
| Tocopilla | 25,400 | #98 |
Cities near Calama
- Tocopilla25,400 people · ~137 km away
- Antofagasta401,096 people · ~201 km away
- Pozo Almonte16,878 people · ~261 km away
- Alto Hospicio142,086 people · ~272 km away
- Iquique199,587 people · ~280 km away
- Arica241,653 people · ~465 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Calama?
Calama has a population of 166,334 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #18 biggest city in Chile.
What region is Calama in?
Calama is located in Antofagasta, Chile.
Is Calama the capital of Chile?
No, the capital of Chile is Santiago, about 1,235 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.