The Atacama Desert

The Atacama Desert is in northern Chile in South America. It is known as the driest hot desert on Earth. Some parts have not seen rain for hundreds of years. Even so, people, animals, and special plants find ways to live here.

So Little Rain

The Atacama sits between two tall mountain ranges that block rain clouds. Some weather stations there have never recorded any rain. The land looks a lot like the planet Mars. Scientists even use it to practice for space missions.

A rare dusting of snow covers the dry Atacama Desert.
A rare dusting of snow covers the dry Atacama Desert. (ESO/S. Guisard / Wikimedia Commons)

Stars and Skies

The Atacama has very clear, dark skies almost every night. This makes it one of the best places in the world to watch the stars. Big telescopes are built high in its mountains. Astronomers from many countries come to study space here.

Fun Facts

  • Sometimes the Atacama blooms with millions of pink and purple flowers after a rare rain.
  • The desert is rich in copper and other minerals.
  • Some mummies in the Atacama are older than the Egyptian pyramids.

Did You Know?

Parts of the Atacama are so dry that dead plants don't even rot away.