Atacama Desert, South America - Travelx.com Travelx.com You are here: Home / Photos / Atacama Desert, South America Atacama Desert, South America The Atacama Desert (Spanish: Desierto de Atacama) is a plateau in South America, covering a 1,000-kilometer (600 mi) strip of land on the Pacific coast, west of the Andes mountains. It is the driest non-polar desert in the world. According to estimates the Atacama Desert proper occupies 105,000 square kilometers (41,000 sq mi), or 128,000 square kilometers (49,000 sq mi) if the barren lower slopes of the Andes are included. Most of the desert is composed of stony terrain, salt lakes (salares), sand, and felsic lava that flows towards the Andes. The World Wide Fund for Nature defines the Atacama Desert ecoregion as extending from a few kilometers south of the Peru–Chile border to about 30° south latitude.

The National Geographic Society considers the coastal area of southern Peru to be part of the Atacama Desert and also includes the deserts south of the Ica Region in Peru. Peru borders it on the north and the Chilean Matorral ecoregion borders it on the south. To the east lies the less arid Central Andean dry puna ecoregion. The drier portion of this ecoregion is located south of the Loa River between the parallel Sierra Vicuña Mackenna and Cordillera Domeyko. To the north of the Loa lies the Pampa del Tamarugal. The Atacama Desert is commonly known as the driest place in the world, especially the surroundings of the abandoned Yungay town (in Antofagasta Region, Chile). The average rainfall is about 15 millimeters (0.59 in) per year, although some locations, such as Arica and Iquique, receive 1 millimeter (0.04 in) to 3 millimeters (0.12 in) in a year. Moreover, some weather stations in the Atacama have never received rain.

Periods of up to four years have been registered with no rainfall in the central sector, delimited by the cities of Antofagasta, Calama and Copiapó, in Chile. Evidence suggests that the Atacama may not have had any significant rainfall from 1570 to 1971. The Atacama Desert may be the oldest desert on earth, and has experienced extreme hyperaridity for at least 3 million years, making it the oldest continuously arid region on earth. The long history of aridity raises the possibility that supergene mineralisation, under the appropriate conditions can form in arid environments, instead of requiring humid conditions. Geological research suggests that in some sections of the Atacama Desert, such as in today’s Chile, hyperaridity has persisted for the last 200 million years (since the Triassic). This desert is so arid that many mountains higher than 6,000 meters (20,000 ft) are completely free of glaciers. Only the highest peaks (such as Ojos del Salado, Monte Pissis, and Llullaillaco) have some permanent snow coverage.

Geographically, the aridity of the Atacama is explained by it being situated between two mountain chains (the Andes and the Chilean Coast Range) of sufficient height to prevent moisture advection from either the Pacific or the Atlantic oceans. Although the almost total lack of precipitation is the most prominent characteristic of the Atacama Desert, exceptions may occur. In July 2011, an extreme Antarctic cold front broke through the rain shadow, bringing 80 centimeters (31 in) of snow to the plateau, stranding residents across the region, particularly in Bolivia, where many drivers became stuck in snow drifts and emergency crews became overtaxed with a large number of rescue calls. This phenomenon is called the altiplano winter, which can produce a little rain and abundant electrical storms, and occurs in January and February. In 2012, the altiplano winter brought floods to San Pedro de Atacama. The Valle de la Luna in English, the Valley of the Moon, is another area of the Atacama Desert which is said to look like the surface of the moon. It lies 13 kilometers (8 mi) to the west of the town, San Pedro de Atacama.

In spite of the geographic and climatic conditions of the desert, a rich variety of flora has evolved here. Over 500 species have been gathered within the border of this desert. These species are characterized by their extraordinary ability to adapt to this extreme environment. The climate of the Atacama Desert limits the number of animals living permanently in this extreme ecosystem. Some parts of the desert are so arid that no plant or animal life can survive. Outside of these extreme areas, sand-colored grasshoppers blend with pebbles on the desert floor, and beetles and their larvae provide a valuable food source in the lomas. Desert wasps and butterflies can be found during the warm and humid season, especially on the lomas. Red scorpions also live in the desert. Birds are probably the largest animal group in the Atacama. Humboldt penguins live year-round along the coast, nesting in desert cliffs overlooking the ocean. On salt flats both near the Pacific and inland, Andean flamingos flock to eat algae. Other birds (including species of hummingbirds and sparrows) visit the lomas seasonally to feed on insects, nectar, seeds and flowers.

Because of the desert’s extreme aridity, only a few specially adapted mammal species live in the Atacama, such as Darwin’s leaf-eared mouse. The less arid parts of the desert are inhabited by the South American gray fox and the viscacha (a relative of the chinchilla). Larger animals, such as guanacos and vicuñas, graze in areas where grass grows, mainly because it’s seasonally irrigated by melted snow. Seals and sea lions often gather along the coast. The Atacama is sparsely populated, with most towns located along the Pacific coast. In interior areas, oases and some valleys have been populated for millennia and were the location of the most advanced Pre-Columbian societies found in Chile. These oases have experienced little population growth and urban development. During the 20th century they have had conflicts over water resources with the coastal cities and the mining industry. Because of its high altitude, nearly non-existent cloud cover, dry air, and lack of light pollution and radio interference from the very widely spaced cities, this desert is one of the best places in the world to conduct astronomical observations.

The European Southern Observatory operates two major observatories in the Atacama: The La Silla Observatory The Paranal Observatory, which includes the Very Large Telescope A new radio astronomy telescope, called ALMA, built by Europe, Japan, the United States, Canada and Chile in the Llano de Chajnantor Observatory officially opened on 3 October 2011. A number of radio astronomy projects, such as the CBI, the ASTE and the ACT, among others, have been operating in the Chajnantor area since 1999. The Atacama Desert is popular with all-terrain sports enthusiasts. Various championships have taken place here including the Lower Atacama Rally, Lower Chile Rally, Patagonia-Atacama Rally and the latter Dakar Rally’s editions. A week-long foot race called the Atacama Crossing is a race in which the competitors cross the various landscapes of the Atacama. Most people who go to tour the sites in the desert stay in the town of San Pedro de Atacama. The Atacama Desert is in the top three tourist locations in Chile. The specially commissioned ESO hotel is reserved for astronomers.

There are geysers 80 km from the town of San Pedro de Atacama. There are about 80 geysers that lie in a valley. They are closer to the town of Chiu Chiu. More Photos: Chile - Atacama Desert and Tierra del Fuego | Travelmyne.com Chile Strong colour is better / Click icon for legend Chile – From the Atacama Desert to the Tierra del Fuego Chile reflects the whole diversity of the South American continent. It presents fascinating landscapes from the Atacama Desert to the mountains of the Andes to the gigantic glaciers. Geography - Very narrow but varied Along the Pacific coast in the west of South America , Chile stretches to the most southern regions of the continent. The country's north-south expansion is 4,275 kilometres, which corresponds to 39 latitudinal lines. The country is, however, only 180 kilometres wide on an average. Due to its location at the plate boundary, there are many volcanoes and earthquakes in Chile. In the east, the mighty mountain range of the Andes crosses the country. Another mountain range lies at the coast, which changes to a varied fjord and island landscape toward the south.

Between the mountain ranges you find Chile's Central Valley. Depending on the region, the country is dominated by desert, mountain, sea or cold subpolar climate. Nature - Dry desert, wild steppes and icy fjords The north of Chile is characterised by the inhospitable world of the Atacama Desert. This region, which is one of the driest regions on earth, sometimes does not see a drop of rain in years. Only the phenomenon El Niño occasionally causes falls of rain, which make the desert flourish with lightning speed and become a colourful landscape with flowers. Otherwise only cactuses and small shrubs vegetate this region. In addition, reptiles and snakes populate the dead environment. The desert is followed by vast steppes with open patches of grass and the harsh yareta plants. The fertile areas of the mountains are vegetated by ferns, while the high peaks are covered in snow. Vicuñas (which look like small llamas), deer and Andean condors live in the mountains. Chile's central part around the capital Santiago is characterised by very fertile, Mediterranean areas, in which you find cypresses, pines and larches.

Toward the south, the landscape changes to the steppes of Patagonia , which are crossed by a continuous, harsh wind. Guanacos, a species of llama, browse the bleak grassy landscape and on the many lakes you see large groups of flamingos. Even further toward the Arctic Circle the landscape turns into iced glacial regions consisting of fjords and numerous lakes. The island chain Tierra del Fuego is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Magellan and belongs to both Chile and Argentina . Despite the cold, harsh climate, this region has an unbelievably diverse environment. The coast, steppes, moss-grown marshlands and vast forests are populated by guanacos, jackals, South American sea lions, otters, beavers, albatrosses, Southern giant petrels and king penguins. Natural sights - Salar de Atacama and the geysers of El Tatio The fascinating world of the desert can best be explored from the tourist centre San Pedro de Atacama. There you can make long trips over dunes and bleak plains, swim in salt lagoons or visit the geysers and hot springs of El Tatio.

The Atacama desert contains the Salar de Atacama, Chile's biggest and most famous salt lake. An appealing place with regard to landscape is the Valle de la Luna, which is called "valley of the moon" because of its bleak vegetation. It is known for the bizarre salt formations and for the play of colours created by the sunlight, which colours the rocks red at sunset. The valley offers a great view of the volcano Licancabur with its snow cap. Among the country's nature reserves, the Conguillío National Park stands out. It is located at the foot of the active Llaima Volcano and displays untouched forests covered in distinctive araucarians as well as scenic, clear lakes. A visit to the La Campana National Park promises multifaceted insights into Chile's magical landscape. Another attraction which is truly worthwhile is the Torres del Paine National Park, in which you dive into Patagonia's magical, wild nature. Three pointed granite rocks with heights up to 2,850 metres constitute the park's impressive landmark. In this area you also find the gigantic Grey Glacier. Hornos Island lies south of the Tierra del Fuego and its Cape Horn constitutes South America's most southern point.

Those who want to watch the bubbling and spitting of an active volcano should visit Villarrica Volcano. In that region you also find the Seven Lakes, a lake district with seven fascinating lakes and many hot springs. In the marine reserve Isla Damas you can watch penguins, dolphins and sea lions. The Valle de Elqui presents an exciting contrast of bleak mountains and a fertile valley covered in vineyards. You can take long trekking tours through the landscape or watch the first rate, clear spangled sky. Culture - First Native American tribes, then Spanish conquerors Over the course of centuries, several Native American tribes, most of which formed empires, existed on the Chilean territory. The best known are the Mapuche, which still live in the country today and carry on their traditions. At his attempt to circumnavigate the world, the Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan discovered the southern tip of Chile in 1520. Later on, the country became a Spanish colony. Following a military coup Augusto Pinochet was appointed president in 1973. His dictatorship was characterised by many human right violations. From 1988 on, a democratisation took place.

Especially in rural regions, traditions of Spanish and Native American origin still play a major role. Part of these are expressive dances like the Cueca. The huasos, a kind of Chilean cowboys, are also common and show their skills at rodeos. Cultural sights - Exploring Santiago de Chile, Valparaiso and Arica Santiago de Chile, the country's capital, emits the typical Latin American sense of life. It is lively and vibrant. This is apparent in many locations for dancing. Santiago embodies Chile's modernity, speed and economic development. It is also a good place for going shopping. The metropolis has a wonderful centre with many historical treasures such as the churches San Francisco and San Cristóbal, the Palace of La Moneda, formerly a mint and now a presidential palace, the hill Cerro Santa Lucía and the Museo de Bellas Artes, which holds a large art collection. Valparaiso is considered one of the most beautiful cities of all. It is characterised by its colourful, artistic houses and the inclined lifts. The latter you can take to reach the city's hills and have a great view of the metropolis and the sea.

Valparaiso is also famous for exquisite wines, which are grown in the region and which you can taste on the estate Emilia, for example. In addition, the city has wonderful, scenic beaches and lagoons. A popular tourist destination is also the city Arica, which accommodates great beaches and the famous Cathedral San Marco. South of the metropolis you find the rock El Morro. It was an important guard station of defence for the city in the past. Today several cannons and a museum are placed there. The Chuquicamata, the world's biggest copper mine, is the greatest hole ever dug by humans and is definitely worth a visit. The Very Large Telescope in Paranal is the greatest telescope on earth. If you register beforehand, you can have a look at the fantastic Chilean spangled sky from there. Experience - Dancing as the paragon of the love of life The Chileans lust for life is reflected in the dance. Those who want to get to know the people's temperament can do this at one of the many dance events – be it at parties, performances or in clubs, in which the locals celebrate exuberantly. There are many opportunities for going out and having fun.

Having traditional food means eating pasties with meat or maize, rice vegetable soup with chicken, dishes made of fish and seafood or fried dumplings stuffed with cheese. You should also try one of the exquisite wines, which are typical of Chile, or the hard liquor Pisco. You can experience Chile's landscape on a cruise through the fjords. Clothing made of llama wool, jewellery or wood carvings serve as souvenirs and remind the visitor of a memorable holiday. Activities - The whole range of sporting activities Ocean, mountains, desert – with its enormous diversity of landscapes Chile offers excellent conditions for being active. While the fine beaches are ideal for swimming and relaxing, the water is suited for sporting activities like surfing, sailing and diving. Especially the mountains offer great conditions for rafting and climbing. Fans of skiing and snowboarding find wonderful pistes – by European standards in summer. Throughout the country, long tours through nature are possible - be it on foot, on a horse or with a cross country vehicle. Information Travellers usually arrive by plane at Santiago International Airport (SCL). Within the country you can use the well-developed bus network.

The train is also a great means of transport, especially if you take the Tren del Vino from San Fernando to Santa Cruz. You best travel through the fjord landscape in the south by ferry. The official language in Chile is Spanish. Chile is characterised by an extraordinary diversity of spectacular landscapes. Those who plan trips to the desert, the mountains, the sea or the glaciers, reach all their objectives with a holiday in this country. While you travel the landscape, you can simply marvel at the unique nature or be active in it in various ways. Atacama Desert - 必应 Sign in Atacama Desert The Atacama Desert (Spanish: Desierto de Atacama) is a plateau in South America, covering a 1,000-kilometre (600 mi) strip of land on the Pacific coast, west of the Andes mountains. It is the driest non-polar desert in the world.

According to estimates the Atacama Desert proper occupies 105,000 square kilometres (41,000 sq mi), or 128,000 square kilometres (49,000 sq mi) if the barren lower slopes of the Andes are included. Most of the desert is composed of stony terrain, salt lakes (salares), sand, and felsic lava that flows towards the Andes. Where is the Atacama Desert? 答 The driest desert in the world, the Atacama Desert is a 600-mile plateau in South America. It is west of the Andes Mountains, on the Pacific coast. Where is the Atacama Desert Located? 答 The Atacama Desert is located in South America. It's a 600 mile strip of land that is on the Pacific coast of the continent, west of the Andes. Atacama Desert Setting See also: Andean orogeny and Arid Diagonal The World Wide Fund for Nature defines the Atacama Desert ecoregion as extending from a few kilometers south of the Peru–Chile border to about 30° south latitude.

The National Geographic Society considers the coastal area of southern Peru to be part of the Atacama Desert and also includes the deserts south of the Ica Region in Peru. Peru borders it on the north and the Chilean Matorral ecoregion borders it on the south. To the east lies the less arid Central Andean dry puna ecoregion. The drier portion of this ecoregion is located south of the Loa River between the parallel Sierra Vicuña Mackenna and Cordillera Domeyko. To the north of the Loa lies the Pampa del Tamarugal. The coastal cliff west of the Chilean Coast Range is the main topographic feature of the coast. Atacama Desert Aridity The Atacama Desert is commonly known as the driest non-polar place in the world, especially the surroundings of the abandoned Yungay town (in Antofagasta Region, Chile). The average rainfall is about 15 mm (0.6 in) per year, although some locations, such as Arica and Iquique, receive 1 to 3 mm (0.04 to 0.12 in) in a year.

Moreover, some weather stations in the Atacama have never received rain. Periods of up to four years have been registered with no rainfall in the central sector, delimited by the cities of Antofagasta, Calama and Copiapó, in Chile. Evidence suggests that the Atacama may not have had any significant rainfall from 1570 to 1971. The Atacama Desert may be the oldest desert on earth, and has experienced extreme hyperaridity for at least 3 million years, making it the oldest continuously arid region on earth. The long history of aridity raises the possibility that supergene mineralisation, under the appropriate conditions, can form in arid environments, instead of requiring humid conditions. Geological research suggests that in some sections of the Atacama Desert, such as in today's Chile, hyperaridity has persisted for the last 200 million years (since the Triassic), competing only with Africa's Namib Desert for such a title. This desert is so arid, many mountains higher than 6,000 m (20,000 ft) are completely free of glaciers.

Only the highest peaks (such as Ojos del Salado, Monte Pissis, and Llullaillaco) have some permanent snow coverage. The southern part of the desert, between 25 and 27°S, may have been glacier-free throughout the Quaternary (including during glaciations), though permafrost extends down to an altitude of 4,400 m (14,400 ft) and is continuous above 5,600 m (18,400 ft). Studies by a group of British scientists have suggested that some river beds have been dry for 120,000 years. However, some locations in the Atacama receive a marine fog known locally as the camanchaca, providing sufficient moisture for hypolithic algae, lichens, and even some cacti—the genus Copiapoa is notable among these. Geographically, the aridity of the Atacama is explained by it being situated between two mountain chains (the Andes and the Chilean Coast Range) of sufficient height to prevent moisture advection from either the Pacific or the Atlantic Oceans, a two-sided rain shadow.

Atacama Desert Climate Although the almost total lack of precipitation is the most prominent characteristic of the Atacama Desert, exceptions may occur. In July 2011, an extreme Antarctic cold front broke through the rain shadow, bringing 80 cm (31 in) of snow to the plateau, stranding residents across the region, particularly in Bolivia, where many drivers became stuck in snow drifts and emergency crews became overtaxed with a large number of rescue calls. This phenomenon is called the altiplano winter, which can produce a little rain and abundant thunderstorms, and occurs in January and February. In 2012, the altiplano winter brought floods to San Pedro de Atacama. On March 25, 2015, heavy rainfall affected the southern part of the Atacama desert. Resulting floods triggered mudflows that affected the cities of Copiapo, Tierra Amarilla, Chile, Chanaral, and Diego de Almagro, causing the deaths of more than 100 people.

Comparison to Mars In a region about 100 km (60 mi) south of Antofagasta, which averages 3,000 m (10,000 ft) in elevation, the soil has been compared to that of Mars. Owing to its otherworldly appearance, the Atacama has been used as a location for filming Mars scenes, most notably in the television series Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets. In 2003, a team of researchers published a report in the journal Science in which they duplicated the tests used by the Viking 1 and Viking 2 Mars landers to detect life, and were unable to detect any signs in Atacama Desert soil in the region of Yungay. The region may be unique on Earth in this regard, and is being used by NASA to test instruments for future Mars missions. The team duplicated the Viking tests in Mars-like Earth environments and found that they missed present signs of life in soil samples from Antarctic dry valleys, the Atacama Desert of Chile and Peru, and other locales.

However, in 2014, a new hyperarid site was reported, María Elena South, which was much drier than Yungay, and thus, a better Mars-like environment. Towards Atacama, near the deserted coast, you see a land without men, where there is not a bird, not a beast, nor a tree, nor any vegetation. “ ” La Araucana by Alonso de Ercilla, 1569 In 2008, the Phoenix Mars Lander detected perchlorates on the surface of Mars at the same site where water was first discovered. Perchlorates are also found in the Atacama and associated nitrate deposits have contained organics, leading to speculation that signs of life on Mars are not incompatible with perchlorates. The Atacama is also a testing site for the NASA-funded Earth-Mars Cave Detection Program. Atacama Desert Flora In spite of the geographic and climatic conditions of the desert, a rich variety of flora has evolved here. Over 500 species have been gathered within the border of this desert. These species are characterized by their extraordinary ability to adapt to this extreme environment.

Most common species are the herbs and flowers such as thyme, llareta, and saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) and, where humidity is sufficient, trees such as the chañar (Geoffroea decorticans), the pimiento tree, and the leafy algarrobo (Prosopis chilensis). The llareta is one of the highest-growing wood species in the world. It is found at altitudes between 3,000 and 5,000 m (9,800 and 16,400 ft). Its dense form is similar to a pillow some 3 to 4 m (9.8 to 13.1 ft) thick. It concentrates and retains the heat from the day to cope with low evening temperatures. The growth rate of the llareta has been recently estimated at about 1.5 cm per year, making many llaretas over 3,000 years old. It produces a much-prized resin, which the mining industry once harvested indiscriminately as fuel, making this plant endangered. The desert is also home to cacti, succulents, and other plants that thrive in a dry climate.

Cactus species here include the candelabro (Browningia candelaris) and cardon (Echinopsis atacamensis), which can reach a height of 7 m (23 ft) and a diameter of 70 cm (28 in). The Atacama Desert flowering (Spanish: desierto florido) can be seen from September to November in years with sufficient precipitation, as happened in 2015. Atacama Desert Fauna The climate of the Atacama Desert limits the number of animals living permanently in this extreme ecosystem. Some parts of the desert are so arid, no plant or animal life can survive. Outside of these extreme areas, sand-colored grasshoppers blend with pebbles on the desert floor, and beetles and their larvae provide a valuable food source in the lomas. Desert wasps and butterflies can be found during the warm and humid season, especially on the lomas. Red scorpions also live in the desert. A unique environment is provided by some small hills (lomas), where the fog from the ocean provides enough moisture for seasonal plants and a few animal species. Surprisingly few reptile species inhabit the desert and even fewer amphibian species.

Chaunus atacamensis, the Vallenar toad or Atacama toad, lives on the lomas, where it lays eggs in permanent ponds or streams. Iguanas and lava lizards inhabit parts of the desert, while salt flat lizards, Liolaemus, live in the dry areas bordering the ocean. One species, Liolaemus fabiani, is endemic to the Salar de Atacama, the Atacama salt flat. Birds are probably the largest animal group in the Atacama. Humboldt penguins live year-round along the coast, nesting in desert cliffs overlooking the ocean. On salt flats both near the Pacific and inland, Andean flamingos flock to eat algae. Other birds (including species of hummingbirds and sparrows) visit the lomas seasonally to feed on insects, nectar, seeds, and flowers. The lomas help sustain several threatened species, such as the endangered Chilean woodstar. Because of the desert’s extreme aridity, only a few specially adapted mammal species live in the Atacama, such as Darwin's leaf-eared mouse.

The less arid parts of the desert are inhabited by the South American gray fox and the viscacha (a relative of the chinchilla). Larger animals, such as guanacos and vicuñas, graze in areas where grass grows, mainly because it is seasonally irrigated by melted snow. Vicuñas need to remain near a steady water supply, while guanacos can roam into more arid areas and survive longer without fresh water. Seals and sea lions often gather along the coast. Atacama Desert Human presence The Atacama is sparsely populated, with most towns located along the Pacific coast. In interior areas, oases and some valleys have been populated for millennia and were the location of the most advanced Pre-Columbian societies found in Chile. These oases have experienced little population growth and urban development. During the 20th century they have had conflicts over water resources with the coastal cities and the mining industry. San Pedro de Atacama, at about 2,400 metres (8,000 ft) elevation, is like many of the small towns.

Before the Inca empire and prior to the arrival of the Spanish, the extremely arid interior was inhabited primarily by the Atacameño tribe. They are noted for building fortified towns called pucarás, one of which is located a few kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama. The town's church was built by the Spanish in 1577. The coastal cities originated in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries during the time of the Spanish Empire, when they emerged as shipping ports for silver produced in Potosí and other mining centers. During the 19th century the desert came under control of Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. With the discovery of sodium nitrate deposits and as a result of unclear borders the area soon became a zone of conflict and resulted in the War of the Pacific. Chile annexed most of the desert, and cities along the coast developed into international ports, hosting many Chilean workers who migrated there. With the guano and saltpeter booms of the 19th century the population grew immensely, mostly as a result of immigration from central Chile.

In the 20th century the nitrate industry declined and at the same time the largely male population of the desert became increasingly problematic for the Chilean state. Mineworkers and mining companies came into conflict, and protests spread throughout the region. The Atacama Desert again became a source of wealth from the 1950s onwards, owing to copper mining. The Escondida and Chuquicamata porphyry copper mines are located within the Atacama Desert. Inhabited towns in the desert include Copiapo, Vallenar, Huasco, Freirina, Caldera, Chanaral, Diego de Almagro, Chile, Taltal, Antofagasta, Calama, Chile, Tocopilla, and San Pedro de Atacama. In San Pedro de Atacama there is a marketplace for artisanal goods. Abandoned nitrate mining towns Main article: List of saltpeter works in Tarapacá and Antofagasta The desert has rich deposits of copper and other minerals and the world's largest natural supply of sodium nitrate which was mined on a large scale until the early 1940s.

The Atacama border dispute over these resources between Chile and Bolivia began in the 19th century and resulted in the War of the Pacific[citation needed] The desert is littered with approximately 170 abandoned nitrate (or "saltpetre") mining towns, almost all of which were shut down decades after the invention of synthetic nitrate in Germany at the turn of the 20th century (see Haber process).[citation needed] The towns include Chacabuco, Humberstone, Santa Laura, Pedro de Valdivia, Puelma, María Elena, and Oficina Anita.[citation needed] The Atacama Desert is rich in metallic mineral resources such as copper, gold, silver and iron as well as non metallic minerals including important deposits of boron, lithium, sodium nitrate and potassium salts. The Salar de Atacama is a place where bischofite is extracted.[citation needed] These resources are exploited by various mining companies such as Codelco, Lomas Bayas, Mantos Blancos, and Soquimich.

Atacama Desert Astronomical observatories Because of its high altitude, nearly non-existent cloud cover, dry air, and lack of light pollution and radio interference from the very widely spaced cities, this desert is one of the best places in the world to conduct astronomical observations. The European Southern Observatory operates two major observatories in the Atacama: The La Silla Observatory The Paranal Observatory, which includes the Very Large Telescope A new radio astronomy telescope, called ALMA, built by Europe, Japan, the United States, Canada and Chile in the Llano de Chajnantor Observatory officially opened on 3 October 2011. A number of radio astronomy projects, such as the CBI, the ASTE and the ACT, among others, have been operating in the Chajnantor area since 1999. Sports The Atacama Desert is popular with all-terrain sports enthusiasts. Various championships have taken place here including the Lower Atacama Rally, Lower Chile Rally, Patagonia-Atacama Rally and the latter Dakar Rally's editions. The rally was were organized by the A.S.O.

and held in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. The dunes of the desert are ideal rally races located in the outskirts of the city of Copiapó. The 2013 Dakar 15-Day Rally started on January 5 in Lima Peru, through Chile, Argentina and back to Chile finishing in Santiago. Visitors also use the Atacama Desert sand dunes for Sandboarding (Spanish: duna). A week-long foot race called the Atacama Crossing is a race in which the competitors cross the various landscapes of the Atacama. An event called Volcano Marathon takes place near the Lascar volcano in the Atacama Desert. Atacama Desert Atacama Desert 24°30″S 69°15″W ''Atacama redirects here; for other uses, see Atacama (disambiguation). The Atacama Desert is a virtually rainless plateau in South America , covering a 600-mile (966 km) strip of land on the Pacific coast of South America, west of the Andes mountains.

The Atacama desert is, according to NASA , National Geographic and many other publications, the driest desert in the world. The rain shadow on the leeward side of the Chilean Coast Range and the Andes, as well as a coastal inversion layer created by the cold offshore Humboldt Current , keep this over 20 million-year-old desert 50 times drier than California's Death Valley . The Atacama occupies 40600 square miles (105154 km2) in northern Chile , composed mostly of salt basins (''salares''), sand, and lava flows. Setting The Atacama Desert ecoregion, as defined by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), extends from a few kilometers south of the Chile- Peru border to about 30° south latitude . To the north lies the Sechura Desert ecoregion, in Peru, whilst to the south is the Chilean Matorral ecoregion. The National Geographic Society considers the coastal area of southern Peru to be part of the Atacama desert, including the deserts south of the Ica Region. To the east lies the less arid Central Andean dry puna ecoregion.

The drier portion of this ecoregion is located south of the Loa River between the parallel Sierra Vicuña Mackenna and Cordillera Domeyko. To the north of the mentioned river lies the Pampa del Tamarugal. Driest desert The Atacama is the driest place on Earth, and is virtually sterile because it is blocked from moisture on both sides by the Andes mountains and by the Chilean Coast Range. A coastal inversion layer created by the cold Humboldt Current, and the anticyclone of the Pacific are essential to keep the climate of the Atacama dry. The average rainfall in the Chilean region of Antofagasta is just 1 millimetre (0.04 in) per year. Some weather stations in the Atacama have never received rain. Evidence suggests that the Atacama may not have had any significant rainfall from 1570 to 1971.

It is so arid that mountains that reach as high as 6885 metres (22589 ft) are completely free of glaciers and, in the southern part from 25°S to 27°S, may have been glacier-free throughout the Quaternary , though permafrost extends down to an altitude of 4400 metres (14436 ft) and is continuous above 5600 metres (18373 ft). Studies by a group of British scientists have suggested that some river beds have been dry for 120,000 years. Some locations in the Atacama do receive a marine fog known locally as the Camanchaca, providing sufficient moisture for hypolithic algae , lichens and even some cacti . But in the region that is in the "fog shadow" of the high coastal crest-line, which averages 3000 metres (9843 ft) m height for about 100 kilometres (62 mi) south of Antofagasta, the soil has been compared to that of Mars.

Due to its otherworldly appearance, the Atacama has been used as a location for filming Mars scenes, most notably in the television series Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets. In 2003, a team of researchers published a report in Science magazine titled "Mars-like Soils in the Atacama Desert, Chile, and the Dry Limit of Microbial Life" in which they duplicated the tests used by the Viking 1 and Viking 2 Mars landers to detect life, and were unable to detect any signs in Atacama Desert soil. The region may be unique on Earth in this regard and is being used by NASA to test instruments for future Mars missions. The Team duplicated the Viking tests in Mars-like Earth environments and found that they missed present signs of life in soil samples from Antarctic dry valleys, the Atacama Desert of Chile and Peru, and other locales. In 2008, the Phoenix Mars Lander detected perchlorates on the surface of Mars at the same site where water was first discovered. Perchlorates are also found in the Atacama and associated nitrate deposits have contained organics, leading to speculation that signs of life on Mars are not incompatible with perchlorates.

Alonso de Ercilla described the desert in La Araucana, published in 1569: "Towards Atacama, near the deserted coast, you see a land without men, where there is not a bird, not a beast, nor a tree, nor any vegetation" (quoted Braudel 1984 p 388). The Atacama is also a testing site for the NASA funded Earth-Mars Cave Detection Program. Human occupation The Atacama is sparsely populated. In an oasis , in the middle of the desert, at about 2000 metres (6562 ft) elevation, lies the village of San Pedro de Atacama. Its church was built by the Spanish in 1577. In pre-Hispanic times, before the Inca empire, the extremely arid interior was inhabited mainly by the Atacameño tribe. The tribe is noted for the construction of fortified towns called pucara(s), one of which can be seen a few kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama.

During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries under the Spanish Empire, towns grew along the coast as shipping ports for silver produced in Potosí and other mines. During the 19th century the desert came under control of Bolivia, Chile and Peru and soon became a zone of conflict due to unclear borders and the discovery of nitrate there. After the War of the Pacific, in which Chile annexed most of the desert, cities along the coast developed into international ports, and many Chilean workers migrated there. The Escondida Mine and Chuquicamata are also located within the Atacama Desert. The Pan-American Highway runs through the Atacama in a north-south trajectory. Astronomical observatories Because of its high altitude, nearly non-existent cloud cover, dry air, and lack of light pollution and radio interference from the very widely spaced cities, the desert is one of the best places in the world to conduct astronomical observations. The European Southern Observatory operates two major observatories in the Atacama: The La Silla Observatory The Paranal Observatory, which includes the Very Large Telescope.

A new radio astronomy telescope called ALMA, is being built by Europe , Japan , North America , and Chile in the Llano de Chajnantor Observatory. A number of radio astronomy projects are currently operating in the Chajnantor area since 1999. For example: CBI, ASTE, ACT, among others. Abandoned nitrate mining towns The desert has rich deposits of copper and other minerals , and the world's largest natural supply of sodium nitrate , which was mined on a large scale until the early 1940s. The Atacama border dispute over these resources between Chile and Bolivia began in the 1800s. Now the desert is littered with approximately 170 abandoned nitrate (or "saltpeter") mining towns, almost all of which were shut down decades after the invention of synthetic nitrate in Germany at the turn of the 20th century (see Haber Process). The towns include Chacabuco, Humberstone, Santa Laura, Pedro de Valdivia, Puelma, Maria Elena and Oficina Anita.

Protected areas Pan de Azúcar National Park Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve La Chimba National Reserve Driest Desert | Atacama Desert, Chile Driest Place: Atacama Desert, Chile Even the Driest Place on Earth has Water These incredibly dry mountains see an average of less than .004 inches/.01cm of rain per year. Many times this area will go without rainfall at all for years. Some places in the Atacama Desert have not had rainfall for over 400 years. The Atacama desert is found along the coast of Chile, South America - right next to the Pacific Ocean - the biggest body of water in the world. Much of the desert extends up into the Andes mountains and is very high in elevation. Unlike more familiar deserts, like the Sahara desert in Africa and the Mojave in California, the Atacama is actually a pretty cold place, with average daily temperatures ranging between 0°C and 25°C. The annual rainfall (or lack of it) defines a desert, but that doesn't mean that it never rains in Atacama.

Every so often a warming effect over the Pacific Ocean around the equator changes the weather the world over and even places like the driest desert in the world can become doused with drenching storms. Even though Atacama gets almost no rainfall, there is water in this arid place and you'll find it in the following places: Salt Lakes During years of heavy rainfall in the distant past, enough water accumulated in basins found throughout the Andes to create lakes. Some of the lakes got their water from melting glaciers at the end of the last ice age. But in some lakes in the Andes mountains, such as Atacama, more water is lost through evaporation than is replaced by rainfall so the lakes are drying up. As the water evaporates, the mineral salts in the water become more concentrated, creating very salty water. Snow In the higher elevations when precipitation comes to Atacama snow falls instead of rain. There are small patches of unmelted snow in the mountain tops where in never gets warm enough to melt the snow. Underground Anywhere you go in the world, regardless of how much or little it rains, there is always water underground.

After it rains, some of the rainwater evaporates back into the air, but much of it trickles down into the ground and stays there - even in the desert. How much water and where depends on a number of things; soil composition, air and soil surface temperature, amount and frequency of rainfall/precipitation, and drainage. Since the Andes is a volcanically active mountain range, the magma beneath the ground will heat the groundwater in certain places causing geysers to erupt. Fog and Dew This mummy of a girl is from the Atacama Desert. Her remains are estimated to be about 800 years old. Find out more about mummies. Most of the precipitation that comes to the Atacama is in the form of fog that blows in the from the Pacific. Fog is essentially very low clouds, consisting of water vapor cooling and beginning to condense. If you've ever been in fog you know that it can leave you a little moist. When the air temperature reaches dew point the water vapor in the air condenses to leave little droplets of water behind. The few things that are able to survive in the Atacama live on the combined moisture from fog and dew. Does Anything Live There?

Many people have the view that deserts are places forsaken by Mother Nature and that no living thing would possibly want to set up camp in a place so dry. Although it is tough to find anything living in the Atacama there are isolated pockets and small patches of plants, which support life for animals and insects. Some plant species have adapted well to this dry environment by developing tap roots that run very deep into the ground gathering water from below. There are flocks of flamingos that live in and around the salt lakes feeding on red algae that grows in the waters. There are even people living in the Atacama. There is a town called Calama in the desert which is complete with motels, restaurants and shops, but it is definitely not the norm. For the most part, Atacama is a pretty lonely place. Humans have lived in the Atacama for many thousands of years, based on the cultural relics and artifacts that archaeologists have found. The South American Indians who have set up housekeeping in the desert over the millennia have left relics from their culture and even themselves. Because the Atacama is so bone-dry the bodies of the buried indians have dried perfectly preserved turning them into mummies.

Some of the oldest mummies found anywhere on earth have come from the Atacama Desert and have been dated to be 9,000 years old! What Causes Deserts? One reason is that the high atmospheric pressure in this region over the Andes can cause dry, cold air from the upper altitudes to compress and come down to earth. This dry air has almost no water vapor so it can be easily heated by the sun, causing high ground temperatures with very low humidity. Another reason that the Atacama doesn't get enough rainfall is because of a phenomenon called rainshadow. The warm, moist tropical air that blows on the tradewinds from the east, which douse the South American rainforest, get hung-up on the east side of the Andes. The mountains are so high in altitude that the air cools, condenses and rains (or snows) on the mountains. As the air descends the other side of the mountain range it warms, holding in its moisture preventing rain from falling on to the ground below. This is one of the reasons why the Amazon basin and river are the largest anywhere in the world.

The mountains that cause the Amazon to be the largest river from collecting all the rainfall are also responsible for preventing the Atacama from ever receiving any rainfall. The driest and one of the wettest places in the world are right next to each other! Get Your Degree! Tour Santiago and the Atacama Desert | Class Adventure Travel Get a Quote This customizable slice of adventure takes you through some of Chile’s most impressive landscapes as you explore the authentic highlights of Santiago, Valparaiso and Viña del Mar before exploring the spectacular, other-worldly landscape of the Atacama Desert. Santiago de Chile’s history is captivating, Valparaiso and Viña del Mar are heavenly and the Atacama Desert scenery is truly exquisite. Our trip specialists and tour guides are located in the area; they’ll take care of planning activities, meals and secret stops that any local would approve of.

What to expect from every Class Adventure Travel Tour: Private and small group guides who go at your own pace Private shuttle and transfers, unless otherwise noted Trip specialists and guides who really know and live in the area Personal recommendations for authentic, local experiences Incredibly comfortable accommodations without sacrificing authenticity Flexible itineraries that can be customized as much or as little as you want What you will experience in a day of travel Wake Up! See the hissing geysers and towering fumaroles at El Tatio as the sunrise soaks Atacama’s volcanic peaks in beautiful oranges and reds. Morning To repay you further for your pre-dawn efforts, enjoy a relaxing soak in the nearby natural hot springs. Lunchtime Return to your hotel to freshen up and to enjoy a delicious and traditional lunch while soaking up the hotel's surroundings. Afternoon Explore Atacama's ethereal Moon Valley with its spectacular scenery and interesting rock formations that are out of this world. Evening Just before dusk, you'll climb a large sand dune in the Moon Valley for an unforgettable view of the sunset over the Andes Mountains.

Night Take an optional stargazing excursion, where you'll be able to admire shooting stars, galaxies and dreamy constellations in the spectacular star cloth above the Atacama Desert. Sunrise at El Tatio Land of Ice and Fire: Holidays to Chile, Atacama and Patagonia From the Atacama Desert to Icy Patagonia Santiago, Atacama and Patagonia: 10-day holidays to Chile for £2450pp The far north of Chile is one of the driest places on earth, and as you climb up into the Atacama desert, the landscape becomes truly otherwordly, with white salt flats, huge red volcanoes and brightly coloured mineral lakes. It's so alien that they even test Mars rovers here... Meanwhile, in the south the landscape is characterised by snow-capped peaks, emerald lakes and icy glaciers as you head into the winter wonderland of Patagonia. These fantastic ten-day holidays to Chile give you all the time you need to enjoy these two contrasting sides to the country so you can really immerse yourself in this land of ice and fire...

Outline Itinerary Detailed Itinerary Day One – Start of your Holidays to Chile Your holidays to Chile will begin this morning as you touch down in Santiago de Chile, and we will be there to meet you and take you straight to your hotel in the upmarket Providencia area of the city. You will then have the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy one of South America’s most sophisticated capital cities. Day Two - Tour of Santiago This morning we will pick you up and take you for a tour of colonial and modern Santiago, so you can get a feel for the contrast between old and new which typifies the city. We will start off with a look at the grandest of Santiago’s colonial buildings, such as the imposing Presidential Palace and Mint Building, and the neo-classical Cathedral. We will then travel through some of Santiago’s most modern districts on our way to San Cristobal hill. Here a funicular railway takes right to the top so we can finish the tour with a fantastic view over the city. (Breakfast included) options...

This tour of Santiago is by car, but if you'd like something a little more active, or a chance to get to some of the harder-to-reach areas of the capital, why not ask us about a bike tour instead? Day Three – Into the Atacama Desert We will take you to the airport this morning for your flight up to the north of the country to the Atacama Desert. You will arrive in Calama this afternoon where we’ll meet you and driver out of the city towards the small town of San Pedro de Atacama, in the arid, high Atacama Desert. Along the way we will be able to enjoy some stunning views of the Cordillera de la Sal, and a beautiful panoramic view of the Gran Salar, lying at the foot of the enormous Licancabur volcano. This evening we will adventure out to the mystifying Death & Moon valleys, boasting incredible stone and sand formations. At sunset we will have the opportunity to view the beautiful fading light over the vast landscapes. (B) Day Four - Salar de Atacama and Toconao We will pick you up after breakfast for a short tour of San Pedro de Atacama, and a visit to the Father le Paige Archaeological museum.

From here we will make the short drive to reach the 3000 year old pre-Columbian village of Tulor. The archaeological remains that can be viewed here constitute the oldest evidence of human settlement of the valley. Your tour will continue on to the Pukara de Quitor a fortress, which has seen many battles. In the afternoon you will visit Toconao: a village where white volcanic stone sculptures are made by locals. Afterwards you will continue on to the Atacama Salt Lake; an inland sea formed millions of year ago and an impressive sight dominated by rock formations and crystalized salt. (B/L) Day Five - Tatio Geysers and Machuca We will leave the hotel before dawn this morning so that we can appreciate one of Atacama’s most amazing spectacles as we drive out to the magnificent Tatio Geysers. These enormous columns of steam shoot out from the otherworldly landscape, and the sensation of being on another planet is compounded by the sulphurous smell and tremendous noise as the geysers blow.

Once the sun rises, the geysers lose their force so we will head back to San Pedro, stopping at the village of Machuca on the way to see the llama caravans of the ancient Inca highway. You will have some free time this afternoon to relax in San Pedro. (B) Day Six - Back to Santiago This morning you will have a final free morning in Atacama before we take you back to the airport in Calama for your flight back to Santiago. On arrival, we’ll pick you up and take you back to your hotel. (B) options... Why not add on one more tour of Atacama this morning? Our favourites include: a hot air balloon ride over the desert; a cycling tour to the Cejar Lagoon; or a llama trek? Day Seven - Travel to Patagonia After breakfast today we will pick you up and take you to the airport for a flight south along Chile’s long Pacific coast and down into Patagonia. This icy landscape is a total contrast to what we have seen before and really shows you the differences between these two sides of Chile.

We will land this afternoon in Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in the country, and then we will have a short tour of the city centre with a local guide. Later today we’ll drive north to the small town of Puerto Natales, the jumping point for visits to the beautiful Torres del Paine National Park. (B) Day Eight - Torres del Paine National Park We will spend the whole of today exploring the stunning area of Torres del Paine, with its towering snow-capped peaks, emerald lakes and swift-running streams and waterfalls. We will have a morning boat excursion on Lake Grey, before spending the afternoon on a short hike out into the National Park to allow us to get some fantastic views of the Cuernos del Paine peaks. You will stay overnight in Torres so you can enjoy a full day amid this magnificent scenery.(B/L) Day Nine - Free time in Torres del Paine After a free morning for you to enjoy relaxing or walking in the beautiful scenery, we will pick you up this afternoon and take you back to your hotel in Puerto Natales, where you will enjoy your final night here in Chilean Patagonia.

(B) Day Ten - Last Day of your Holidays to Chile Today will be the last day of your holidays in Chile. We will take you to the airport in Punta Arenas this morning for your flight up to Santiago, where you’ll arrive in plenty of time to check-in for your international flight home. (B) Options for our Holidays to Chile Wine Tasting in Maipo Valley - from £95pp Chileans are justifiably proud of their wines, and any holidays to Chile are enhanced by a trip out to some of the country's vineyards for a tasting session. We'd suggest a day trip into the fabulous Maipo valley, where you can visit a couple of Chile's best vineyards to sample their wares, as well as enjoying the beautiful countryside. Atacama Desert - 4 days from £995pp The Atacama desert is the driest place on earth, and also one of the strangest. This four-day extension to your holidays in Chile will take you out deep into the Atacama desert to experience the other-worldly landscape of giant red volcanoes, bizarrely-coloured mineral lakes, and the resident wildlife: speedy chinchillas and elegant pink flamingoes.

At times it can be a bit like being in a real-life Dali painting! La Campana National Park - from £170pp If you'd like to extend your holidays in Chile to explore some of the country's most lovely natural scenery, easily accessible in a day trip from Santiago, why not take a trip into the gorgeous La Campana National Park? Ideal for walking and trekking, with paths that are accessible all year round, you can enjoy seeing waterfalls and palm trees, wildcats, skunks, eagles and chinchillas before driving back to Santiago in the evening. Easter Island Tour - 4 days from £1250pp The enigmatic Moai statues make Easter Island one of the most mysterious holiday destinations in the world, but happily its mysteries are within relatively easy reach of Santiago so adding on a tour of Easter Island to this Chile holiday is fairly straightforward. This four-day package will allow you plenty of time to relax and enjoy all the highlights of Easter Island.

Valparaiso & Viña del Mar Tour - from £140pp The port city of Valparaiso was once one of the most famous in South America, and before the opening of the Panama Canal it was a regular stop for all shipping as they circumnavigated South America. Today you can see its superb historic architecture and the brightly-painted hillside houses, reached by Victorian funicular railways. From Valparaiso we'll travel on to the beachside town of Viña del Mar to enjoy its lovely promenade and parks. Australis Cruise - 4 days from £4850pp Enhance your experience of Patagonia with one of these exclusive 4-day cruises around the southern tip of South America to explore the isolated fjords and seas of Tierra del Fuego. You can even take a longer cruise heading right around to the Atlantic coast and the Argentine city of Ushuaia - the southern-most city in the world ... Similar Holidays to South America

Question: The Atacama area on the Pacific coast of South America is best characterised as what?
Answer: Desert