Caldera was founded in the 16th century by the Spanish conquistadors, who used it as a port to transport silver and gold extracted from the region's mines.
During the War of the Pacific in the 19th century, Caldera became an important supply center for the Chilean forces fighting against Peru and Bolivia.
In the 1900s, the city established itself as an important fishing and shipping center.
In 1945, the city was devastated by an 8.3 magnitude earthquake, which killed hundreds of people and destroyed much of the city.
Starting in the 50s, Caldera began to recover and today it is an important tourist destination due to its beaches, its architectural heritage, and its natural attractions.
