Deserts are beautiful landscapes that create a sense of calm even in troubled minds. The soft sands evoke strong emotions and beautiful memories. Although deserts cannot boast of an adequate supply of water, they remain etched in the minds of travelers across the world. Several poets have praised and spoken volumes about the beauty and serenity of deserts. Despite the blistering heat and freezing coldness (at night), many travel to deserts to enjoy the peace and charm their spectacular sand dunes exude. The phrase, “dry as a desert,” is often used by numerous writers, and you might have come across it at some point in your life. But do you know the name of the driest desert in the world?
Yes? No? Whatever your answer is, we would like to emphasize the fact that the Atacama is the driest desert in the world. Let’s take a glance at the features of this eye-catching desert and explore its wonders!
Location of the Driest Desert
The Atacama Desert is located in South America.
- A. True
- B. False
The Atacama Desert is located in Chile, South America. It covers up to a 1000 km strip of land and continues to the border of Peru. The Atacama Desert occupies 105,000 sq. km, and if the lower slopes of the Andes are included, it occupies up to 128,000 sq. km. In addition to being the driest, the Atacama is also the oldest in the world. It is mostly composed of stony terrain, salt lakes, and felsic lava. It has experienced semi-arid (highly dry with minimal rainfall) conditions for the past 150 million years.
Why Is It Called the World’s Driest Desert?
The Atacama is known as the driest desert in the world because it is tucked in the “shadow of rain” region created by the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The Andes Mountains block the rainfall to the desert and the atmospheric condition created by the Pacific Ocean blocks the evaporation of seawater, thus preventing the formation of clouds. So the average rainfall in the Atacama Desert is approximately 15 mm per year, with some locations receiving just 1 to 3 mm per year. On the other hand, some areas are noted to have received no rain for more than 500 years!
So now you know how the Atacama acquired its title of the driest desert in the world.
Comparison between Atacama and Mars
Scientists often compare the Atacama Desert with Mars. The dryness of the desert is something similar to that of the Martian surface. Some regions of the desert have even been used for shooting Hollywood movies, an example of which is “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Moreover, several tests have been conducted on the Atacama desert surface to know what sort of life can thrive on Mars. These were part of the many Mars exploration programs.
In certain areas of Atacama, NASA scientists have found the presence of photosynthetic bacteria, which means there’s a possibility of life in those areas. Since the environment of Mars resembles that of Atacama, researchers have concluded that there’s a possibility of life on Mars too.
Sudden Rainfalls
Even though the Atacama Desert gets no or very little rainfall throughout the year, there have been instances of sudden rains and storms during recent years. Since 2015, Atacama has witnessed shocking rainfalls. Geologists across the world have been stupefied by these unpredictable phenomena in the driest desert in the world.
Before the mammoth rainfall in 2015, scientists had estimated that there were 16 different microbial species in the Atacama Desert. They assumed that the heavy rains would lead to more flora and fauna flourishing in the desert. However, they were shocked by the results of the rainfall. Instead of more new species of life blooming in the desert, the numbers of even the existing ones started diminishing. Scientists found that around 12 microbial species had vanished into thin air!
About 87% of the bacteria that were thriving in the desert died due to the sudden rainfall that caused “osmotic shock” in these organisms. Osmotic shock is a phenomenon where single-celled organisms absorb too much water and burst like balloons.
Flora and Fauna
Only a few species of plants and animals have learned to inhabit and adapt to the Atacama Desert environment. There are some insects and scorpions, which are preyed upon by lizards. At times, you may find a songbird or a vulture. The Atacama Desert terrain consists of several shining white salt flats and wetlands that serve as home to several other bird species. If you are interested in bird-watching spots, you might find these wetlands in the desert fascinating.
Mammals are also few and far between. At times, you may see a South American gray fox or a mouse running across the landscape. As far as plant growth is concerned, you will find herbaceous plants and shrubs scattered here and there. Bromeliads are the type of plants worth mentioning. However, the interior part of the desert completely lacks vegetation.
Habitation in Atacama
The driest desert in the world has been inhabited for quite some time. Now, more than 1 million people live here. The Atacameño people were the first group to live in this desert. Today, many grow cucumbers, olives, and tomatoes, and some of them herd alpacas, which belong to the camel family. Alpacas have slender bodies that are fully covered with fleece.
Around 250,000 tourists visit the desert every year. There are several lodges, hotels, and beautiful restaurants, where tourists can stay and enjoy the scenic beauty of the desert.
Tourist Destinations and Activities
Now that you have an idea about the Atacama Desert’s wonders, let’s look at some popular tourist destinations and activities in this desert.
Hot Springs
You can find several natural hot springs in the desert. They offer a rejuvenating experience to the tourists. The Termas de Cauquenes and the Termas de Puritama are the two major hot spring destinations in the desert, where you can relax and enjoy the view.
Salt Mountain Ranges
These offer a wonderful view and are a definite feast to the eyes. Cordillera de la Sal is one such mountain range in the Atacama Desert. It has a “karstic” landscape, meaning it is made up of soluble minerals.
Rocky Regions
These are must-see areas in the desert. The Valle de la Luna is one such rocky and lunar-like area, where you can find various rock formations, salt flats, and sand dunes. You can easily take guided tours of these regions and click some beautiful pictures.
Precautions to Be Followed During Your Visit
To have a hassle-free visit to the Atacama Desert, you must follow certain precautions, such as the following:
Drink Lots of Water
You can easily get dehydrated because of the extremely hot conditions. So keep yourself hydrated while you navigate the driest desert in the world.
Stick to Your Tour Guide’s Advice
If you are traveling with a tour guide, make sure you follow their advice. They know a lot about the place and can provide you with invaluable safety information.
Wear Suitable Protective Gear
In case you try sandboarding or any similar activity, wear the appropriate protective gear to be safe. Again, ensure you follow your guide or instructor’s advice when you are involved in any sport or activity in the desert.
Also, Read 7 Travel Gadgets for Your Next Trip.
Astounding Atacama!
The driest desert in the world is one of Mother Nature’s many children. The place is filled with plenty of surprises that can make you awestruck! We hope this blog has offered you helpful information on the Atacama Desert, and maybe, kindled your interest in planning a trip with your family. A solo adventure in this desert will also be a rewarding experience because traveling alone can teach you a lot about the world. So if the travel bug has bitten you, start making your plans! And, don’t forget to answer the Quiz on this page to refresh your memory about the wonders of the Atacama Desert.