Atacama Desert: 400 Years Without Rain, A Martian Landscape on Earth

• Chile's Atacama Desert is one of Earth's driest places, with some areas receiving no significant rainfall for nearly 400 years (1570-1971).
• Its extreme dryness is due to the Andes' 'rain shadow effect' and the cold Humboldt Current from the Pacific Ocean.
• Despite harsh conditions, life thrives with flamingos, llamas, and vicuñas, and hidden water springs in salt flats.
• The desert's surreal, Mars-like environment, including the 'Valley of the Moon,' makes it a key testing ground for NASA and home to powerful telescopes like ALMA.
• A popular tourist destination, it offers sites like El Tatio geysers and Puritama hot springs, occasionally transforming into a 'Desert Bloom' after rare rainfall.

Why It Matters: The Atacama Desert, a 400-year rain-free zone in Chile, fascinates scientists and tourists alike.