The endless dead landscapes of the driest desert in the world are not only incredibly beautiful but also mysterious. In the Atacama Desert, located in Chile, well-preserved mummies over 9,000 years old have been discovered. To compare, the oldest embalmed bodies from Egypt date back to the 3rd millennium BC. Among the attractions of the region are picturesque plateaus, lagoons, salt flats, geysers, ruins of ancient settlements, and caves.
The Atacama Desert stretches for about 1,000 kilometers, with most of it situated between the mountains and the Loa River. Its northern edges reach the border with Peru. The desert is primarily composed of dried-up salt basins, adjacent to the base of the mountains in the west, and hilly landscapes (sand dunes, pebbles, rocks, and gravel) extending eastward to the foot of the South American Andes. Volcanic elevations up to 5 km high are also present.
Climate
In summer, the average temperature is around 14°C, while in winter it rises to about 20°C. During the day, temperatures can soar to 40°C, while at night, they drop to 5°C. Despite the scorching heat, the mountain peaks are always covered in snow. Atacama is not only the driest desert but also one of the coldest, with some areas receiving less than 1 mm of annual precipitation. On some large stretches, meteorological stations have never recorded rainfall. Some areas haven’t seen rain for 4 years. From 1570 to 1971, Atacama didn’t experience heavy downpours.
Due to the severe lack of moisture, the soil has become a lifeless crust, making the landscape resemble that of Mars. The so-called Valley of the Moon is the driest area in the entire desert, yet it is one of the most popular tourist spots. During the full moon and at sunset, the muted light illuminates the lowlands and surrounding hills, creating an otherworldly scene.
The edges of the desert, which border the Andes, receive enough water from January to February, during which plants bloom. On the Antiplano plateau, animals thrive.
Most of the Atacama Desert is a dead zone where life will never return. Clouds coming from the east hit the Andes and rain over the thick jungles. Although moist air masses should theoretically penetrate deep into the desert from the Pacific Ocean’s coast, the cold Humboldt Current causes the formation of layered clouds and fog, with rain falling only rarely.
These conditions are ideal for stargazing: the sky remains completely clear for 300 days a year. A few years ago, scientists installed a giant radio telescope in Atacama, currently the most powerful in the world.
Flora and Fauna
A surprising 647 plant species have been identified in the desert, an unusual number for such an arid region. Atacama falls within the subtropical belt, so evergreen shrubs are widespread.
In the spring, the ocean-facing slopes of the hills become an astonishing sight, with patches of lush greenery and flowering mallows, nightshade, wild tobacco, lilies, ferns, and the amaryllis annuque.
In the southern part of the desert, 230 species grow, including many cacti and bushy spurge. Along the coastline, Chilean bellflowers, a beautiful decorative plant, dominate.
Atacama is home to 200 animal species, with rodents, wild foxes, vicuña llamas, reptiles, and insects adapted to the harsh conditions. Among the 120 bird species that reside in the desert are flamingos.
Historical Background
Some parts of the desert are inhabited, with around 1 million people living in these harsh conditions, mostly farmers working in oasis towns in northern Atacama. Indigenous Atacameno people have long lived in the region, and their descendants continue to engage in livestock and agriculture.
During the 19th century, Peru, Chile, and Bolivia contested control over the region, mainly due to its rich deposits of potassium nitrate and other mineral resources.
Chile, with British support, controlled the region’s mining industry, even though it formally belonged to Bolivia and Peru. After the Pacific War ended, the Treaty of Ancon (1883) awarded Atacama to Chile. The Chilean government earned huge revenues from potassium nitrate exports until World War I. However, the invention of synthetic nitrogen production ended Chile’s monopoly. Although resources are still extracted from the desert, it is now primarily for domestic use.
A Mystery for Scientists: The Atacama Humanoid
In 2003, artifact hunter Oscar Muñoz explored an abandoned settlement in the middle of the desert, where he discovered something strange: a bundle containing a well-preserved 15-centimeter mummy. The find resembled a human but had some peculiarities: an abnormally elongated skull and only 9 pairs of ribs instead of the usual 12.
Muñoz sold his find to a local bar owner, and the mummy eventually ended up in a private collection.
The Atacama humanoid became a worldwide sensation after well-known ufologist Steven M. Greer declared in 2012 that it was of alien origin. He made a documentary titled Sirius, in which he presented evidence to support this claim.
Scientists, however, couldn’t agree on the humanoid’s identity. The most common theory was that it was a 6-8-year-old girl suffering from a rare disease. DNA analysis revealed mutations in several genes, and the remains were dated to around 40 years old.
Tourist Appeal of the Atacama Desert
The desert draws thousands of travelers from around the world. There is plenty to see, though it’s essential not to explore it alone in search of thrills.
Top regional attractions:
- The Valley of the Moon and the Valley of Death surprise with alien-like landscapes, including fiery red hills “dusted” with salt, picturesque canyons, and sand dunes reminiscent of Mars and the Moon.
- The El Tatio Geysers, the third-largest geyser field in the world.
- The Chaxa Lagoon, home to pink flamingos.
- The Puritama hot springs, pools of crystal-clear hot water discovered by the Incas.
- The Aldea de Tulor, the ruins of the oldest settlement in the country.
Interesting Facts About the Atacama Desert
Chile’s gem is mesmerizing and captivating. Here are a few fascinating facts:
- Due to conditions similar to Mars, rovers are tested in the desert.
- One episode of the Star Wars saga was filmed here.
- Local shamans call the Valley of the Moon a special place where contact with ancestral spirits is possible.
- The lowest humidity on the planet, 0%, was recorded in Atacama.
- Due to the absence of bacteria, dead bodies don’t decompose but mummify.
- Locals collect water using devices called “fog catchers” — cylinders with nylon walls that trap moisture, which then trickles down.