The Salar de Uyuni is located in Bolivia, in the country’s southwestern Altiplano. It lies mainly within Daniel Campos Province of the Potosí Department, near the Andes and close to the Chilean border.
Covering approximately 10,582 square kilometres, Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. Its dazzling white crust formed after several prehistoric lakes gradually dried, leaving behind extensive deposits of salt and other minerals. Beneath the crust is brine rich in lithium, magnesium, and potassium.
During the dry season, the salt surface develops striking polygonal patterns. After rain, a thin layer of water can create a giant reflective surface, giving the landscape its famous “world’s largest mirror” appearance. The extreme flatness and high reflectivity also make the salar useful for calibrating satellite instruments.
The site is sometimes confused with salt flats in neighbouring Chile or Argentina, which also lie within the broader Andean region. Salar de Uyuni itself is distinctly Bolivian. The nearby town of Uyuni is a principal gateway for visitors exploring the salt flat and surrounding high-altitude landscapes.