Area Code 57 – Iquique, Tarapacá

Geographic Coverage and Jurisdiction

Area code 57 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Tarapacá Region in northern Chile. The primary city served is Iquique, the regional capital and principal commercial hub, along with the adjacent coastal city of Alto Hospicio. The code also covers inland towns such as Pozo Almonte, Huara, and Colchane, extending to the borders with Bolivia and Peru. Administratively, the region is governed by the Tarapacá Regional Government, and the code is allocated under the national numbering plan administered by the Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones (SUBTEL).

Dialing Formats and Instructions

For local callers within the Tarapacá region, the area code is typically omitted when dialing a fixed-line number, using the seven-digit subscriber number directly. However, from any other region in Chile, callers must dial the trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 57 and the subscriber number. For example, to call a fixed line in Iquique from Santiago, dial 0 57 2 234 5678 (where the subscriber number begins with a 2, a common Central Office Code for Iquique).

International callers should dial the Chilean country code +56, then the area code 57 (without the leading 0), followed by the subscriber number. For instance, from the United States, you would dial 011 56 57 2 234 5678 or +56 57 2 234 5678 from a mobile phone. It is important to note that the area code is an integral part of the national numbering plan and must be included when calling from outside the region.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest SUBTEL updates, no overlay area code has been introduced for Tarapacá; the region continues to use 57 as its sole geographic code. Subscriber numbers are seven digits long, and the Central Office Code (the first two digits of the subscriber number) identifies the specific exchange or locality. For example, numbers starting with 2 are typically associated with Iquique, while other prefixes may correspond to smaller towns. Callers should always verify the complete number, as mobile numbers in Chile are non-geographic and begin with 9, not with area codes.

Practical Usage for Businesses and Travelers

Businesses operating in the free trade zone of Iquique (ZOFRI) frequently use this area code for their fixed-line services. Travelers and international partners should store numbers in international format (+56 57 ...) to ensure proper routing. VoIP and mobile users should note that calls to fixed lines in Tarapacá may incur different tariffs depending on their service provider. Always confirm the subscriber number length and format with the local contact to avoid dialing errors.