Where is Atacama Located on a Map?
The Atacama Desert, one of the most arid places on Earth, is located in the northern part of Chile, South America. Spanning over 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) from west to east, this vast desert stretches across the Andes Mountains, making it one of the longest desert regions in the world. To understand its precise location, let’s take a closer look at the map.
On a map of South America, the Atacama Desert is situated in the western region of Chile. It borders the Pacific Ocean to the west and is flanked by the Andes Mountains to the east. To the north, it extends towards the Peruvian border, while to the south, it merges with the Central Valley of Chile. The desert’s southernmost point is approximately 20 degrees south of the equator.
The Atacama Desert is characterized by its extreme dryness, with some areas receiving less than 1 millimeter of rainfall per year. This makes it the driest desert in the world, surpassing even the Sahara Desert in North Africa. The desert’s climate is influenced by the cold, dry air masses that originate from the Antarctic Peninsula, which result in its arid conditions.
In terms of geographical coordinates, the Atacama Desert is roughly located between 18° and 29° south latitude and 67° and 72° west longitude. To visualize this on a map, you can start by locating Chile, then follow the Andes Mountains to the west until you reach the Pacific Ocean. The Atacama Desert is the vast, barren land that lies between the mountains and the sea.
Several notable landmarks are found within the Atacama Desert, such as the Salar de Atacama, the world’s largest salt flat, and the Licancabur volcano, which straddles the border between Chile and Argentina. The desert also boasts some of the world’s most advanced astronomical observatories, thanks to its clear skies and low levels of atmospheric pollution.
In conclusion, the Atacama Desert is a remarkable geographical feature located in northern Chile, South America. Its vast expanse, extreme dryness, and unique natural phenomena make it a captivating destination for those interested in exploring the world’s most arid regions. To locate the Atacama Desert on a map, simply find Chile and trace the Andes Mountains to the west until you reach the Pacific Ocean.
