Sierra Gorda, Chile


Sierra Gorda is a Chilean commune in Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta Region. The total population was 1,516 as of the 2012 census. The two main settlements are the villages of Sierra Gorda and Baquedano.
Due to the mining business, Sierra Gorda has the eighth highest average household income in the country.
The village of Sierra Gorda stages a yearly summer music festival called Festival del Desierto, which attracts thousands of people from nearby towns, and even from neighboring countries such as Peru and Bolivia.

Climate

Demographics

According to the 2002 census of the National Statistics Institute, Sierra Gorda had 2,356 inhabitants, making it an entirely rural areas. The population grew by 65.3% between the 1992 and 2002 censuses.

Administration

As a commune, Sierra Gorda is a third-level administrative division of Chile administered by a municipal council, headed by an alcalde who is directly elected every four years. The 2008-2012 alcalde is José GuerreroVenegas.
Within the electoral divisions of Chile, Sierra Gorda is represented in the Chamber of Deputies by Mr. Pedro Araya and Mr. Manuel Rojas as part of the 4th electoral district,. The commune is represented in the Senate by Carlos Cantero Ojeda and José Antonio Gómez Urrutia as part of the 2nd senatorial constituency.

2008 ''Quantum of Solace'' incident

While filming for the James Bond film Quantum of Solace was under way in the village, the mayor of Sierra Gorda, Carlos López Vega, drove his car onto the set because the crew had not asked his permission to film in his commune.