War of the Pacific

The War of the Pacific (1879–1883) was a conflict primarily between Chile and a coalition of Bolivia and Peru. It stemmed from disputes over control of valuable nitrate-rich coastal lands in the Atacama Desert. Chile aimed to expand its territory and access these resources, while Bolivia sought to defend its sovereignty over its coastline, which it lost during the war. Peru, allied with Bolivia, was drawn into the conflict due to historic ties. The war resulted in Chile's victory, gaining territory rich in nitrates and establishing regional dominance, significantly impacting Bolivia and Peru's borders and national histories.