Atacama Desert, Chile

In Chile, travelers can also enjoy the incredible lunar landscapes in the Atacama desert. It is considered an absolute desert, as there has never been any rain. Such dry conditions caused the formation of incredible landscapes that are truly reminiscent of a lunar or Martian. The Atacama Desert is almost completely devoid of vegetation. For many years, it is used by NASA to conduct various tests.

A few years ago, during the regular research, microorganisms have been found in the desert soil, which allowed scientists to make significant progress in studying Mars. Desert area is 105 000 square km. Surprisingly, its territory has permanent population of about a million people. Indigenous people have been long adapted to the arid debilitating climate and do not want to leave these harsh places. During tours, travelers are offered to see homes of local residents, as well as to learn the secret of how, where, and how they get water.

In addition to the barren landscapes, the Atacama Desert boasts with one of the most amazing monuments in the world, which is called the Hand of the desert. The sculpture is a huge man's hand; its height is 11 meters. This unusual sculpture was opened in 1992. The driest desert in the world is really amazing to visit. About 160 species of cacti are growing there, more than half of which are found nowhere else in the world. There are incredibly beautiful valleys and an amazing city in the desert that is also available to visit. Next - Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve