Chile contains the Atacama Desert, the driest non-polar desert on Earth.
The Atacama stretches along northern Chile between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. Some parts receive almost no measurable rainfall, and certain weather stations have recorded years or even decades without significant precipitation. The desert’s extreme dryness results from several factors: the cold Humboldt Current limits evaporation, the Andes block moist air from the east, and a subtropical high-pressure system suppresses cloud formation.
Despite its harsh climate, the Atacama is not lifeless. Microorganisms survive in specialized habitats, while coastal fog called camanchaca can provide moisture to plants and animals in some areas. Following rare rains, parts of the desert can briefly bloom with flowers, especially in years influenced by unusual weather patterns.
The Atacama is also valuable for mining, particularly copper, lithium, nitrates, and iodine. Its exceptionally clear, dry air makes it one of the world’s best regions for astronomy. Major observatories such as the Very Large Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array operate there. The desert extends into parts of Peru, but its largest and best-known area lies in Chile.