Atacama Desert, Desert plateau in northern Chile
The Atacama Desert extends for 1,600 kilometers along the Pacific coast, forming a narrow strip of land between the Andes Mountains and the ocean.
During the Pacific War of 1879-1883, Chile gained control of this territory from Bolivia and Peru due to its valuable sodium nitrate deposits.
Indigenous Atacama communities developed agricultural techniques in river oases, growing crops like lemons in Pica and potatoes near the Loa River.
The desert contains substantial deposits of copper, gold, silver, iron, boron, lithium, and sodium nitrate, supporting regional mining operations.
Scientists use this region for Mars mission simulations because its soil composition and extreme dryness match conditions on the red planet.
Elevation above the sea: 2,657 m
Part of: Pacific desert
Shares border with: Puna
GPS coordinates: -24.50000,-69.25000
Latest update: May 30, 2025 04:12
The world's largest desert expanses range from the poles to subtropical areas. From Antarctica with its 14 million square kilometers to the Mojave plains, these regions are characterized by extreme conditions and low rainfall. Polar deserts dominate in area, followed by hot deserts like the Sahara and the Arabian Desert. Each region features specific geological and climatic characteristics, creating distinct landscapes.
Very Large Telescope
117.7 km
Extremely Large Telescope
95.9 km
Paranal Observatory
117.7 km
Llullaillaco
76.2 km
Mano del Desierto
99.5 km
Ruinas de Huanchaca
148.8 km
VISTA
116.9 km
Cerro Paranal
117.8 km
VLT Survey Telescope
117.8 km
Cerro Armazones
95.9 km
Spectro-Polarimetric High-Contrast Exoplanet Research
117.7 km
Next-Generation Transit Survey
116.3 km
Socompa
102.4 km
Lastarria
104.7 km
Cerro Murphy Observatory
96.4 km
Hexapod-Telescope
96.4 km
Llullaillaco National Park
67.2 km
Pular
125.9 km
Cerro Bayo Complex
122.2 km
Cordón del Azufre
118.3 km
Cerro Escorial
110.4 km
Salar de Imilac
58.4 km
Very Large Telescope Interferometer
117.7 km
Salar de Aguas Calientes IV
81.7 km
Tilocálar
127.8 km
El Negrillar
107.1 km
La Negrillar
70.6 km
Cerro Toloncha
143.7 kmReviews
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