Valle de la Luna, Desert valley in Atacama region, Chile
The Valle de la Luna spans across the Cordillera de la Sal, displaying mineral formations shaped through millennia by wind and extreme temperature variations.
Scientists selected this location in 1982 to test Mars exploration vehicles due to its geological similarities with the red planet's surface.
The indigenous Atacama people conducted ceremonies in this valley, considering its salt formations and caves as sacred natural monuments.
Visitors need to reserve entrance tickets 24 hours in advance and bring water supplies, as temperatures reach 40°C during summer days.
The valley contains dry lakes covered in white salt deposits that create patterns resembling the surface of the moon when viewed from above.
Location: San Pedro de Atacama
GPS coordinates: -22.93162,-68.30872
Latest update: May 27, 2025 07:00
South America preserves a monumental heritage that reflects centuries of history, from pre-Columbian civilizations to the contemporary era. This collection includes archaeological sites, colonial-era religious buildings, public squares, and modern artistic creations scattered across the continent. Each monument tells a part of South American history, whether it be ancient fortresses, Baroque churches, or recent sculptures. Among these sites are the Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua, Guatemala, a 17th-century construction that once connected two convents; the Public Market in Porto Alegre, Brazil, a functioning 19th-century commercial building; and Desert Hand in Chile, a contemporary sculpture of 11 meters rising from the Atacama Desert. The Middle of the World monument near Quito, Ecuador, marks the equator line, while the Christ of the Pacific overlooks Lima from its hill. These monuments, whether of pre-Columbian, colonial, or modern origin, provide tangible insight into the cultural and architectural development of the South American continent.
Brazil features natural areas and local sites beyond major cities. The landscape spans from waterfalls and caves to coastal regions and mountains. National parks contain sand formations, lagoons, and coral reefs. Cultural places include traditional villages and historical sites.
Atacama Large Millimeter Array
57.8 km
Licancabur
45.1 km
Los Flamencos National Reserve
92.4 km
Llano de Chajnantor Observatory
57.6 km
Toconao
42.2 km
Atacama Cosmology Telescope
53.5 km
Atacama Pathfinder Experiment
56.9 km
Pukará de Quitor
10.7 km
University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory
58.4 km
Simons Observatory
53.5 km
POLARBEAR
53.6 km
Q/U Imaging ExperimenT
57.1 km
Sairecábur
49 km
Cerro Toco
54.7 km
Cosmic Background Imager
56.7 km
Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor
53.6 km
Purico Complex
51.2 km
Atacama B-Mode Search
53.6 km
Catarpe
14.3 km
Juriques
50.6 km
Meteor Museum
11.3 km
Cerro del Quimal
41.1 km
Campanario de Toconao
42.3 km
Escalante
56.2 km
Cerro Chaxas
38.3 km
Simons Array
53.6 km
Cerro Jorquencal
46.1 km
San Pedro de Atacama
11.4 kmReviews
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