Chilean nitrate: gift of the desert

Description: Visualises the mining, refining and transportation of nitrate of soda in the Attacama Desert of Northern Chile. Tells of the discovery of the deposits by two American Indians. Shows the magnitude of refining operations in the area, stressing the isolation that employees of the industry must face. Describes a new form in which the nitrate can be readily stored in ships. States the importance of the industry to Chile.