A low-loss optical fiber over wide wavelength range includes a transmission loss of less than or equal to 40 dB/km in a whole wavelength range of 400-1400 nm, and being manufactured by drawing an optical fiber preform including a core composed of a silica glass having a hydroxyl-group concentration of less than or equal to 1 ppm and a cladding composed of a silica glass having a fluorine concentration of more than or equal to 3.2 wt %.