You still don’t know what large desert is in South America? So we will answer you: "This is Atakama!". It is located in the northern part of the state of Chile and in the west touches the waters of the Pacific Ocean. These lands are considered the driest in the world - for four hundred years there has been no significant rainfall. It is also worth noting that if somewhere the largest deserts of the world are listed , then Atakama must be attributed to their number.
General description of the region
A natural area called Atacama is located in Chile. It originates from the border with Peru and extends 1,000 kilometers to the south, along the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The peculiarities of the local landscape are that the entire desert is in the mountains. High altitudes provide the region with discharged air, which enhances the effects of solar radiation. The amount of precipitation that this desert in South America boasts is not more than 10 mm per year. Some of its areas have not been irrigated by rains for more than 400 years. It is in such places that the earth is absolutely sterile. There is no vegetation, no animals, no reptiles.
Amazing fact
Many travelers know what a large desert is in South America, and that many of its regions are not suitable even for insects. But few people realize that people still live on these lands! In the coastal areas formed fishing villages, small ports, which are surrounded by houses of local residents. On average, there are about a million people. It is also worth noting that not only on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, but also in the depths of the Atacama Desert are islands of human civilization. Astronomical observatories were built there, from which observations are made annually. Scientists believe that this place is most suitable for observing space, since there is never cloud cover.
Desert climate
The largest desert in South America has the driest climate in the world. However, this does not mean at all that it is always hot and sultry here. January is considered the hottest month of the year. During this period, the thermometer shows us from 18 to 20 Celsius in the afternoon. At night, the thermometer can drop to the level of 5-7. July - on the contrary, the month is cool. The daytime temperature here ranges from 13-15 Celsius, and the nighttime reaches 0, less often frosts occur. It is during winter time that mists often occur in the desert. This is perhaps one of the most interesting natural anomalies. In this region, the climate is both very dry and humid, due to the vapors that come from the Pacific Ocean.
Cause of dryness
After we found out what a large desert is in South America, we will go on to study the question of why exactly these lands in the region are the most arid, moreover, why they are considered the driest in the world. The answer is simple: "Because it never rains here." But what is the reason for this anomaly, especially considering the fact that Atacama is in close proximity to the ocean? The reason is precisely in this pond, or rather, in the cold Humboldt Current, which comes from Antarctica. Winds that pick up moisture from these waters are cooled at their expense. As a result, there is not enough heat in the atmosphere to rain. As for the winds that can bring a wet cyclone from the main part of the mainland, they do not reach here. On the eastern border of Chile, all the clouds are held up by the highest mountains - the Andes, and thus this large desert in South America remains without a single drop of water.
Atacama Desert Mists
The only source of vital moisture in the desert is the fog, which is here called Kamanchak. However, this atmospheric phenomenon here is very different from what we are used to seeing in our area. Kamanchak is a very dense watery clouds that are located very low above the ground. These clouds are constantly turning into dew, which nourishes a few desert plants with liquid . Among them there are such as cacti of all kinds, ferns, various shrubs and grasses. Local birds and insects also feed on this moisture. As for people, they only learned to benefit from fog in the 80s of the past century. The essence of the procedure is simple: a special mesh is installed that retains moisture. It is located vertically, and under it is a gutter. After moisture is trapped in it, the resulting water drains into the gutter and can be used in household integers.
Exciting journeys through the desert valleys
For many years, the Atacama Desert in Chile has been a popular tourist destination. Excursions are sold here in the coastal cities of Iquique, Arica, Calama, San Pedro de Atacama and others. Here you can order a bus tour for yourself, which will include a guide. He will tell you the history of this area, its features, tell you about the dangers that lie in wait here and about all the beauties. You can also rent a car in the region and ride this mysterious area on your own. However, do not forget to bring a map with you and get all the necessary recommendations from local residents so that your vacation does not become a real horror.
Astronomy and Cinema
As already noted above, numerous observatories have been built in the desert, from which space life is monitored. Most of them are concentrated in the Moon Valley, since it is this region in Atakama that is the most arid, therefore, the sky here is the clearest. Also note that in this area there have been repeated tests of space technology. Here, rovers and satellites adapted to new conditions, which after launched into the orbit of the red planet. Similarly, the directors know about what a large desert is in South America and what landscapes it is famous for. It is in the notorious Moon Valley that many films on astronomical themes are shot, as well as action films and fantasy.
Age matters
Atacama is on the list of the most ancient deserts that only exist on our planet. It was formed more than 20 million years ago, but some scientists even double this figure. The most interesting thing is that over all these years, these lands have remained arid and sterile. For the first time, people began to master them about 10 thousand years ago. These were the tribes of the Indians who left objects of their everyday life on these lands. In a dry climate, the bodies of the long-dead are also perfectly preserved - they turned into mummies.
Comparing the Atacama Desert with its counterparts
Listing the largest deserts of the world, scientists do not forget to mention this natural zone in their list. In the ranking of the most extensive arid and uninhabited lands, it takes 21 place. It is preceded by such well-known deserts as Antarctica, Sahara, the Arctic desert belt, the Arabian sandy expanses, Kalahari and the Australian red sand zones. Also, the western US valleys, where there are no living conditions, are slightly larger in size. But here we can distinguish that Atacama, although it is considered the largest and oldest desert, is still very different from other similar natural zones. There is not so much sand as in the Sahara and Namibia, there are no oases and herbaceous plants typical of the East. Most of the Atacama is solid rocks, stones, and gravel mixed with sand. There are also low mountains that form valleys, where it is incredibly beautiful at any time of the year.