Atacama Desert

Desert in northern Chile.

Atacama Desierto de Atacama

The Atacama Desert is a desert in South America covering a 1,000 km (620 mi) strip of land along the Pacific coast of northern Chile. It is considered one of the driest non-polar deserts in the world.

/ˌætəkɑːmə ˈdɛzərt/

The name 'Atacama' is believed to derive from the Quechua word 'ataw-kama', meaning 'where people work metal'.

desert South America

Valle de la Luna Salar de Atacama

salt flats sand dunes canyons

Chile South America

desert geographical feature