The Coquimbo Region (, ) is one of Chile's 16 regions (first order administrative divisions). It is bordered by Atacama to the north, Valparaíso to the south, Argentina to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is approximately north of the national capital, Santiago. The capital and largest city is La Serena. Other important cities include the seaport Coquimbo and the agricultural centre Ovalle. Geography and ecology The Coquimbo Region forms the narrowest part, or 'waist' of Chile, and is hence one of the country's more mountainous regions, as the Andes range runs closer to the sea than elsewhere. The region has notable marine species as well as taxa that are associated with the mountainous regions. With respect to marine organisms, the upwelling areas encourage bioproductivity off of this Pacific Coast area of Chile. In the southern mountainous areas of the Coquimbo Region, the rare and endangered Chilean Wine Palm is found, whose habitat is threatened by human population growth in the region and associated deforestation for residential expansion and agriculture. The Elqui Valley is home to a number of astronomical observatories, owing to the region's clear skies. It is also home to a 640-meter-long dam, the Puclaro, which confines the Elqui River and produces a reservoir containing 4,630,000 m³ of water for agricultural irrigation. Demography Mining and agricultural activities account for the location of various places in the region, around the transverse valleys and mineral deposits. Originally this organization was structured according to the location of Indian villages of the Diaguitas. A high percentage (70–75%) of inhabitants are of Mestizo (Euro-Amerindian) background, higher than any other region in Chile. Other indigenous peoples include the Aymara, Atacameno, Mapuche and Quechua, who were immigrants themselves from Peru and Bolivia. Recent high population growth stresses the conurbation La Serena-Coquimbo (est. 300,000 or 297,253 inhabitants), which concentrates half the regional population. In terms of population, major cities are (according to the 2002 census): La Serena (148,815), Coquimbo (148,438), Ovalle (66,405), Illapel (21,826), Vicuña (12,910), Salamanca (11,615), and Los Vilos (10,966). Economy This region is a very popular travel destination. Visitors are mainly attracted to its long beaches, many of fine white sand, bathed by a calm sea, and the region's pleasant climate. Along with tourism, the province's main industries are agriculture and fishing. The mountains are a center of astronomy in Chile. Communications Printed press The first newspaper published in