In the War of the Pacific (1879 - 1883), Bolivia lost its access to the Pacific Ocean after being defeated by which South American country?

The story behind the answer

Chile is correct. In the War of the Pacific (1879–1883), Chile defeated the allied forces of Bolivia and Peru and seized Bolivia’s coastal Litoral province in the nitrate-rich Atacama Desert, leaving Bolivia landlocked. The loss was cemented later by the 1904 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which granted Bolivia free transit through Chilean territory but no sovereign coastline.

The war began over taxes and control of lucrative nitrate deposits. After gaining naval supremacy (notably after Angamos), Chile launched successful coastal landings and campaigns that led to the occupation of Lima and territorial gains from both neighbors. Memory tip: “Chile chiseled away Bolivia’s coast” links Chile to the coastline change. This conflict reshaped the region’s map and fueled Chile’s economic boom through nitrate exports.