Editing Valparaíso (section)

==History==
{{Moresources|section|date=July 2023}}
Some older works starting with [[Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna]] (1869) claim that Valparaíso was within the range of the [[Chango people]], but clear evidence for this is lacking.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Los changos, su supuesta presencia en la bahía de Valparaíso |journal=Boletín Histórico |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cL19DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA79 |last=Vera Villarroel |first=Jaime |date=6 December 2018 |issue=XXII |volume=VII |pages=79–103 |language=Spanish |access-date=25 March 2023 |archive-date=25 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325211356/https://books.google.com/books?id=cL19DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA79 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Bay of Valparaíso's first ethnically identifiable population were [[Picunche]] natives, known for their agriculture. [[Spanish people|Spanish]] explorers, considered the first European discoverers of Chile, arrived in 1536, aboard the ''Santiaguillo'', a supply ship sent by [[Diego de Almagro]]. The ''Santiaguillo'' carried men and supplies for Almagro's expedition, under the command of [[Juan de Saavedra]], who named the town after his native village of [[Valparaíso de Arriba]] in [[Cuenca Province (Spain)|Cuenca Province]], Spain.
[[File:Valpo1830.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|View of Valparaíso Bay (1830)]]
During Spanish colonial times, Valparaíso remained a small village, with only a few houses and a church. On some occasions she was attacked by English pirates and privateers, such as [[Francis Drake]] with his ship ''[[Golden Hind]]'' in 1578<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sugden |first1=John |title=Sir Francis Drake |date=2012 |publisher=Random House |url=https://archive.org/details/sirfrancisdrake0000sugd_f7c7 |isbn=9781448129508 |page=125}}</ref> and later his cousin [[Richard Hawkins]] with his ship [[English ship Dainty (1588)|''Dainty'']] in 1594. Drake's sack of Valparaíso gave origin to the legend about [[Cueva del Pirata]].<ref name=Sonia2015>{{Cite book |title=Mitos de Chile: Enciclopedia de seres, apariciones y encantos |last=Montecino Aguirre |first=Sonia |publisher=[[Catalonia (publisher)|Catalonia]] |year=2015 |isbn=978-956-324-375-8 |pages=196–197 |language=es}}</ref>
[[File:Caleta el Membrillo, Valparaíso.jpg|thumb|Valparaíso before 1846, by [[Johann Moritz Rugendas]]]]
In 1810, a wealthy merchant built the first pier in the [[history of Chile]] and the first during the colonial era. In its place today, stands the building of El Mercurio de Valparaíso. The ocean then rose to this point. Reclamation of land from the sea moved the coastline five blocks away. Between 1810 and 1830, he built much of the existing port of the city, including much of the land reclamation work that now comprises the city's commercial center. In 1814, the naval [[Battle of Valparaíso]] was fought offshore of the town, between American and British ships involved in the [[War of 1812]]. After Chile's independence from Spain (1818), beginning the [[Republican Chile|Republican Era]], Valparaíso became the main harbour for the nascent Chilean navy, and opened international trade opportunities that had been formerly limited to Spain and its other colonies. [[File:Bahía de Valparaíso, 1863.jpg|thumb|Valparaíso (c. 1863)]]
Valparaíso soon became a desired stopover for ships rounding South America via the [[Straits of Magellan]] and [[Cape Horn]]. It gained particular importance supporting and supplying the [[California gold rush]] (1848–1858). As a major seaport, Valparaíso received immigrants from many European countries, mainly from [[British people|Britain]], [[German Chilean|Germany]], [[French people|France]], [[Swiss people|Switzerland]], and [[Italian Chilean|Italy]]. German, French, Italian, and English were commonly spoken among its citizens, who founded and published newspapers in these languages.

Valparaíso found maritime competition with Callao (Perú). Both cities sought to be the dominant port on the Pacific Coast of South America during the period of time known as the High Trade (1880–1930).<ref name="auto">{{Cite journal |last=Couyoumdjian |first=Juan Ricardo |title=El Alto Comercio de Valparaiso y las Grandes Casas Extranjeras, 1880–1930: Una Aproximacion |year=2000 |journal=Historia (Santiago) |volume=33 |pages=63–99 |doi=10.4067/S0717-71942000003300002 |issn=0717-7194 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The [[British Chilean|British community]], ''La Colonia Britanica'', prospered in Valparaíso between the 1820s and 1920s. Firms such as [[Antony Gibbs & Sons]], Duncan Fox, and [[Williamson-Balfour Company]] were doing business in the town, which had become a significant trading center by 1840, with 166 British ships, out of a total of 287, anchored in its port. The British settled on Cerro Alegre (Mount Pleasant) and Cerro Concepción. The Association of Voluntary Firemen was created in 1851, a telegraph service to Santiago was operating by 1852, and Chile's first telephone service was set up in 1880. The British Hospital was founded in 1897, and the British Arch, ''Arco Británico'', was erected in 1911. However, by 1895, Italian immigrants exceeded the British, and both the Italians and Germans were in larger numbers by 1907. By 1920, both the Italians and Spanish outnumbered the British, and the primary British community within Chile resided in Santiago.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Edmundson |first1=William |title=A History of the British Presence in Chile: From Bloody Mary to Charles Darwin and the Decline of British Influence |date=2009 |publisher=Palgrave MacMillan |location=New York |isbn=9780230114838 |pages=110–115}}</ref>[[File:Terremoto de Valparaíso 1906.JPG|thumb|[[1906 Valparaíso earthquake]]]]
International immigration transformed the local culture from Spanish origins and Amerindian origins, in ways that included the construction of the first non-Catholic cemetery of [[Chile]], the [[Dissidents Cemetery|Dissidents' Cemetery]]. [[association football|Football]] (soccer) was introduced to Chile by [[English Chilean|English immigrants]]; and the first private Catholic school in Chile, ''Le Collège des Sacrés Cœurs'' ("Sacred Hearts College") and its accompanying [[Sacred Hearts Church (Valparaíso)|Sacred Hearts Church]], by [[French Chilean|French immigrants]]. Immigrants from Scotland and Germany founded the first private secular schools ([[The Mackay School]] and ''Die Deutsche Schule'', respectively). Immigrants formed the first volunteer fire-fighting units (still a volunteer activity in Chile). Their buildings reflected a variety of European styles, making Valparaíso more varied than some other Chilean cities.

On 16 August 1906, a major earthquake struck Valparaíso; there was extensive property damage and thousands of deaths.<ref>{{cite web |title=Valparaiso, Chile 1906: M 8.2 – Valparaiso, Chile |url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/iscgemsup16957911/executive |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |access-date=5 December 2024}}</ref> The Chilean doctor, Carlos Van Buren, of [[North Americans in Chile|U.S.]] descent, was involved in the medical care of earthquake victims. He later established the Hospital  Carlos Van Buren in 1912.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hekint.org/2017/02/22/the-van-buren-hospital-in-the-history-of-chile/ |title=The Van Buren Hospital in the history of Chile |date=13 April 2014 |website=hekint.org |language=en |access-date=20 July 2023 |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720172527/https://hekint.org/2017/02/22/the-van-buren-hospital-in-the-history-of-chile/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The golden age of Valparaíso's commerce ended after the opening of the [[Panama Canal]] in 1914. Shipping shifted to the canal as captains sought to avoid the risks of the Strait of Magellan. The port's use and traffic declined significantly, causing a decline in the city's economy. The opening of the Panama Canal was one of the most critical events in the shaping of Valparaío's economy.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvx1ht3b |title=Shaping Terrain: City Building in Latin America |date=2016 |publisher=University Press of Florida |doi=10.2307/j.ctvx1ht3b |jstor=j.ctvx1ht3b |access-date=2023-03-10 |archive-date=2023-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310145114/https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvx1ht3b |url-status=live}}</ref> Since the turn of the 21st century, shipping has increased in the last few decades with fruit exports, opening the [[Chilean economy]] to world commerce, and larger-scale, [[Post-Panamax]] ships that do not fit the Panama Canal.

===19th century===
[[File:Valparaíso - 1851.jpg|thumbnail|Daguerreotype of Valparaíso about 1852]]
[[File:Iglesia de San Francisco de Valparaiso en 1864.jpg|thumbnail|Picture of the [[San Francisco Church (Valparaíso)|Church of San Francisco]] in 1864]]
[[File:Muelle de Pasajeros, 1888 - Félix Leblanc.jpg|thumbnail|Picture of the city in 1888]]
[[File:Rita,_a_show_seller_in_Valpairiso,_by_Adele_de_Dombasle.png|thumb|Rita, a shoe seller in the city, by [[Adele de Dombasle]] c.1847–48]]
On 28 March 1814, the USS ''Essex'' was defeated by British frigates ''Phoebe'' and ''Cherub'' during the [[War of 1812]], leading to the deaths of 58 US Marines. Captain [[David Porter (naval officer)|David Porter]], a survivor of this attack, retired to [[Portersville, Indiana]] and requested to change the name to [[Valparaiso, Indiana|Valparaiso]], commemorating the only naval battle he ever lost. By 2 August 1820, the [[Freedom Expedition of Perú|Liberating Expedition of Peru]] sailed from Valparaíso.

At 10:30 pm on the evening of 19 November 1822, Valparaíso experienced a violent earthquake that left the city in ruins; of the 16,000 residents, casualties included at least 66 adults and 12 children, as well as 110 people wounded. The next day, a meteor trail was visible from Quillota to Valparaíso, seen as a religious experience for much of the population. In 1826, the [[Royal Navy]] Great Britain established a [[Pacific Station|South America Station]] in Valparaíso to maintain British naval interest in the region. It remained until 1837, when it was moved to [[Esquimalt|Esquimalt, British Columbia]]. On 12 September 1827, {{Lang|es|[[El Mercurio de Valparaíso]]}}, the oldest circulating newspaper in the [[Spanish language]] worldwide, was established.

In May 1828, a constitutional convention began regular meetings in the [[San Francisco Church (Valparaíso)|church of San Francisco]]. By August 9, the [[Chilean Constitution of 1980|Constitution of the Republic of Chile]] was fully drafted and disseminated. On 6 June 1837, Minister [[Diego Portales]] was shot on orders of Captain Santiago Florín[https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_Florín] at the port by [[Barón Hill|Baron Hill]] on suspicion of promoting conspirators who opposed the [[War of the Confederation|Peru-Bolivian Confederation]], considered a turning point of Chilean public opinion and the purpose of the war.

By 1851, the first fire brigade in the country was formed. In 1852, potable running water became available, as well as the first [[telegraph]] service in Latin America, between the city and [[Santiago]]. Four years later streetlights with 700 gas lanterns, were installed. In 1861, the first tram company was formed, mostly using horses or mules to draw them, and fully established over the next few years. In 1852, British shipping company Williamson, Balfour & Cía was established in Valparaíso to handle trade in the region. <ref name="auto" />

Taking advantage of the total lack of defenses, a Spanish fleet commanded by [[Casto Méndez Núñez]] [[Bombardment of Valparaíso|bombarded the city]] during the [[Chincha Islands War]] in 1866. Chilean merchant ships were sunk, except for those vessels whose captains hoisted foreign flags. A merger of the National Steamship Company and Chilean Steamship Company, the [[CSAV|South American Steamship Company]] was created as a national response to the increasing dominance of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company in 1872. In 1880 the Chilean Telephone Company was formed by Americans Joseph Husbands, Peter MacKellar, James Martin, and the U.S. consul Lucius Foot, the first official telephone company in the country. Three years later on the first of December, Concepción funicular opened, the first of many hydraulic systems. After the country's independence and its consequent openness to international trade, Valparaíso became an important port of call on trade routes through the Eastern Pacific. Many immigrants settled there, mostly from Europe and North America, and they helped include Valparaíso and [[Chile]] in the [[Industrial Revolution]] sweeping other parts of the world. That created a different city with civil, financial, commercial, and industrial institutions, many of which still exist today.

Population increases resulted. The city reached more than 160,000 inhabitants in the late nineteenth century, making it necessary to use the steep hills for more houses, mansions and even cemeteries. The lack of available land caused the city authorities and developers to reclaim low lying tidal marshland (polders) upon which to build administrative, commercial and industrial infrastructure.

===20th century===
[[File:Titulares con que El Mercurio de Valparaíso informaba, el 14 de mayo de 1903, de lo ocurrido dos días antes..jpg|thumbnail|Headlines of {{Lang|es|[[El Mercurio de Valparaíso]]}} on 14 May 1903; in English, it reads:
{{quote|The Strike of the Seafarers. Fire of the South American Company. Assault on the printing press of ''El Mercurio''. Fire of the Malecon. Attitude of the Authority. The troops arrived from Santiago. The calm is restored. Meetings in the Municipality. It reaches an Arrangement. The Court of Appeals. The city in State of Siege.}} ''El Mercurio, 1903'']]
The twentieth century began with the first big protest of dockworkers, Chile on 15 April 1903, due to complaints by dockers about their excessive working hours and demands for higher wages, requests that were ignored by employers, creating a tense situation that led to serious violence on 12 May. There were protests and the burning of the [[CSAV]] offices and several people were shot and killed. All this prompted intervention by the state. This protest was important for the future of Trade Unionism in the country.
That same year, electric trams were introduced.

The [[1906 Valparaíso earthquake]] caused severe damage throughout the city on 16 August, which was at that time the heart of the Chilean economy. The damage was valued at hundreds of millions of pesos of the time, and human victims were counted at 3,000 dead and over 20,000 injured. After the removal of the debris, reconstruction work began which included the widening of streets, culverting and covering streams, (Jaime and Delicias–and creating the avenues Francia and Argentina respectively). The main street of the city (Pedro Montt) was laid and Plaza O'Higgins was created; a hill was removed to allow the passage of Colon Street. The damaged Edwards mansion was demolished and in its place, the present Cathedral of Valparaíso was built and, among many other works it gave shape to the Almendral Valparaíso area.

In 1910, the port expansion work of the city began and ended in 1930. A long breakwater was built, along with piers and docking terminals. The Imperial German East Asia Squadron engaged the British West Indies Squadron on 1 November 1914 at the [[Battle of Coronel]] off the coast of Valparaiso, sinking two British cruisers. After the battle the East Asia Squadron stayed in Valparaiso Harbor before continuing to the Falklands.

===21st century===
[[File:Intendencia3.JPG|thumb|300px|[[Edificio Armada de Chile]]]]
Chile's legislature along with other institutions of national importance like the National Customs Service, the National Fish and Aquaculture Ministry, the Ministry of Culture and the Barracks General of the [[Chilean Navy]] are sited in the city. In addition to the capital of the Valparaíso Region hosts the Regional Administration and government. In 2003, Valparaíso became an [[UNESCO World Heritage Centre]]. This title was awarded to Valparaiso for its unique urban form, as well as its clear maintained historical background as a colorful port city. In becoming a World Heritage Center, Valparaíso is tasked with maintaining its cultural heritage, through the maintenance of its historic infrastructure, like its [[Valparaíso funiculars|Ascensores]].

On 13 April 2014, [[2014 Valparaíso wildfire|a huge brush fire]] burned out of control, destroying 2,800 homes and killing 16 people, forcing President [[Michelle Bachelet]] to declare it a disaster zone.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/archive/2014-04-13-chile-declares-disaster-as-deadly-fire-storms-historic-port-city/ |title=Chile declares disaster as deadly fire storms historic port city |url-access=subscription |date=13 April 2014 |website=BusinessLIVE |language=en |access-date=11 February 2020 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116092147/https://www.businesslive.co.za/archive/2014-04-13-chile-declares-disaster-as-deadly-fire-storms-historic-port-city/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In early February 2024, a huge brush fire burned through Valparaiso and central Chile, killing at least 131 people.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-02-06/death-toll-from-chile-wildfires-rises-to-131 |first1=Alexander |last1=Villegas |agency=Reuters |website=U.S. News |title=Chileans Search Rubble for Wildfire Victims as Death Toll Rises to 131 |date=6 February 2024 |access-date=8 February 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208145617/https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-02-06/death-toll-from-chile-wildfires-rises-to-131 |archive-date=8 February 2024}}</ref>