This 600-mile long desert in Northern Chile is nothing short of a biodiverse wonderland. While the Atacama desert has attracted many a visitor from all over the world, it's not enough to just see it - knowing all the things that occur in this desert, why it's one of the more unique places in the world, and its incredible weather patterns all make this desert one worth learning about.

In general, Chile is an incredible place. Whether it's hiking through Patagonia or experiencing adventure tourism, there is no shortage of brilliant ways to see this country in all its glory. The Atacama Desert, in particular, is special for another reason as well - parts of its environment have been compared to that of the environment on the planet Mars, which is why scientists have been so interested in studying its unique landscape. In stark contrast, some areas of the desert receive plenty of rainfall, which is why its ecosystem is just as diverse as its terrain.

Despite The Rainfall That Does Occur, It's Still The Driest Desert On Earth

Since weather stations have been set up in Atacama, there are still some that have never registered a single drop of rain. It's estimated that parts of the desert hadn't seen rain at all during the years between 1570 and 1971. That means for several centuries, parts of the desert were completely devoid of any type of water or precipitation. With that being said, there are parts of the desert, such as Iquique and Arica that receive up to 3 millimeters of rain per year. The reason that this desert is so dry is due to its unique positioning - Atacama falls between the Andes and Chilean Coast Mountain Range, and its altitude keeps it from seeing the rain that much of the region does from the oceans on either side.

There's More Sodium Nitrate Here Than Anywhere Else In The world

Sodium nitrate, most well-known for its use in explosives and fertilizers, is abundant in the Atacama Desert. The supply was so great, in fact, that during the 1940s, there was a sodium nitrate boom and abandoned mining towns have been found throughout areas of the desert that have seen high levels of the mineral. This is still the world's largest natural supply of sodium nitrate.

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Red Planet-Like Soil

It was discovered by scientists that the soil found in the Atacama Desert has a striking similarity to that of the soil that has been collected on Mars. The Atacama Desert has been used as a testing site for NASA when they test equipment and robots that are sent to the Red Planet, as the terrain is so similar that it yields undeniable results. Hollywood has also caught onto this uncanny resemblance to Mars as parts of the Atacama Desert have been used to film many major motion pictures that involve space travel.

The Chinchorro Mummies

While many thing that mummies are only found in Egypt, the oldest-known mummified remains were actually found in the Atacama Desert. Science has shown that these mummies existed thousands of years prior to the Egyptians, predating them by a significant amount of time. It's estimated that the oldest mummy examined dated back to at least 7020 BC, which is roughly 4,000 years older than those of Egypt.

Extreme Temperatures Are The Norm

Deserts are known for having extreme temperatures which is what makes them so uninhabitable as well as dangerous for those who explore them unprepared. The Atacama Desert, in particular, has registered a high of 104 degrees Fahrenheit as its hottest temperature and 41 degrees Fahrenheit as its coldest temperature, which is quite low for a desert environment.

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Snow Is Not An Uncommon Occurence

The only places where one can witness snow in the Atacama Desert is high in the mountains at their summits. That's due to the elevation, which keep the temperatures cold enough for snow to remain on the ground without melting. The altitude of these summits is also the reason why snow will never be found on the valley floor of the desert, as the climates are completely different.

The Clearest Skies Out Of Anyhwere In The World

For those who love stargazing, the Atacama Desert is one of the best places in the world to observe the night sky. The desert sees more 300 or more clear-sky nights throughout the year, and it's also home to one of the largest telescopes in the world. It's altitude also lends itself well to stargazing along with the fact that the sheer expanse of the desert means there's no light pollution from any surrounding cities or towns.

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