What is the Atacama Desert famous for?
Quick Answer
The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is famous for being one of the driest nonpolar deserts on Earth. Some places there have gone years without measurable rain.
The Full Story
The Atacama Desert is a coastal desert in northern Chile that is often cited as the driest nonpolar desert on Earth. Its extreme dryness is caused by a mix of factors, including the cold Humboldt Current, the rain shadow of the Andes, and persistent subtropical high pressure. Certain weather stations in the desert have recorded extremely long dry spells, and some areas can go decades without significant rainfall. The Atacama is also an important site for astronomy because its clear, dry skies are among the best in the world.
Key Facts
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"Why scientists look to one of Earth’s driest places for the clearest skies"