Where is the driest place on Earth?
Quick Answer
The Atacama Desert in Chile is the driest non-polar place — some areas have received no measurable rainfall in recorded history. NASA uses it as a Mars analogue due to the extreme aridity.
The Full Story
The Atacama Desert in northern Chile holds the record as the driest non-polar place on Earth. Some weather stations in the Atacama have never recorded rainfall, and certain areas receive less than 1 mm of precipitation per year. The core region near Yungay is so dry that it is considered the closest analogue to the Martian surface on Earth — NASA tests Mars rover equipment there. The extreme aridity results from its position between two mountain ranges (Andes and Chilean Coast Range) that create a double rain shadow, combined with the cold Humboldt Current that inhibits evaporation. Despite the harshness, over 1 million people live in the region, supported by fog-collection systems and underground aquifers.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The Place Where It NEVER Rains — Walking Through the Atacama Desert"