Lota Beach

Lota (from the Louta Mapuche word meaning "small insignificant hamlet or village")is a coastal town situated in the VIII Biobío Region, Chile, in an area between the center and the south. Lota is famous for its large coal deposits which were closely linked to the historical and economic development of Chile, and for its miners, whose difficult living conditions were described by Baldomero Lillo in his book "Subterra". The Lota coal mine was purchased by the businessman, Jose Antonio Alemparte Vial in 1840 from the Cabullancas Indians. He later sold it to Thomas Cousino, and it was developed by the Carboniferous Company.