Valparaíso, Chile
Valparaíso, founded in 1536, flourished as an important South Pacific seaport during the 19th century. During its golden era, many European immigrants arrived, made their fortunes and left their mark on the city's architecture and cultural institutions. Built on 45 hills, it is often compared to San Francisco. With a population of about 1 million, it is Chile's 2nd largest city. Diminished maritime traffic (after the opening of the Panama Canal) severely hurt its economy during the t wentieth century causing many wealthy families to abandoned the city. Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the city's economy has been improving. Artists and cultural entrepreneurs have moved into the city's hillside historic districts resulting in a flourishing tourist industry. Street art is everywhere. Some of it very good but much of it just annoying graffiti....