| Deserts are arid regions, generally receiving | | | | to its natural wonders. The Moon Valley, with |
| less than ten inches of precipitation a year, | | | | its geological rocks formations, the geysers |
| or regions where the potential evaporation | | | | of Tatio, altiplanic valleys and lakes (at |
| rate is twice as great as the precipitation. | | | | 4.000 meters of altitude), canyons and the |
| | | | historic towns like Toconao that has all the |
| The world's deserts are divided into four | | | | houses constructed out of the local linarite |
| categories. Subtropical deserts which are the | | | | stone. On the way is the breathtaking Atacama |
| hottest, with parched terrain and rapid | | | | Salt Lake, which is over 1,000 kilometers |
| evaporation. Although cool coastal deserts | | | | long. |
| are located within the same latitudes as | | | | |
| subtropical deserts, the average temperature | | | | Besides, there is an argueological museum |
| is much cooler because of frigid offshore | | | | that was built by a Belgian priest, who |
| ocean currents. Cold winter deserts are | | | | gathered numerous arqueological vestiges, |
| marked by stark temperature differences from | | | | such as pottery and mummies, which are |
| season to season, ranging from 100° F | | | | witnesses of the history in this region.These |
| (38° C) in the summer to 10° | | | | are museums which record |
| F (â€"12° C) in the winter. | | | | man’s presence over the last |
| Polar Regions are also considered to be | | | | 10,000 years besides this there is sea and |
| deserts because nearly all moisture in these | | | | long sandy beaches, relaxation and |
| areas is locked up in the form of ice. | | | | entertainment in casinos, restaurants and |
| | | | hotels, and above all the friendly |
| ATACAMA DESERT: North of Chile | | | | hospitality of the Chilean people. |
| | | | |
| The Atacama Desert, in the north of Chile, is | | | | Weather: It gets cold once the sun goes down |
| the driest place on earth. It stretches from | | | | and during the day it can be extremely very |
| the highlands of the Andean Altiplano over | | | | hot. |
| the golden sands of the Atacama Desert as far | | | | |
| as the shores of the Pacific Ocean. This is | | | | Climate:The climate is magnificent throughout |
| the place for those in search of adventure | | | | the year. During winter (June, July and |
| with its breathtaking salt flats, geysers and | | | | August) the average daytime temperature |
| Andean volcanos, | | | | varies between 9ºC (48ºF) and |
| | | | 24ºC (75ºF); days are very |
| The desert is so dramatic that, at first | | | | pleasant, inviting you to lay in the |
| sight, it appears never to have sustained any | | | | sun’s corridors. In summer |
| life. However, pink flamingoes together with | | | | (January, February and March) the average |
| Alpacas, Llamas, Vicunas and many other | | | | daytime temperature fluctuates between |
| species of fauna and flora can be found | | | | 13ºC (55ºF) and 25ºC |
| living in perfect harmony in the many oases | | | | (77ºF), reaching maximums of |
| and lakes located in the area. | | | | 32ºC (90ºF): a warmer climate |
| | | | inviting you to a good "siesta" before the |
| Travelling north, view the Atacama Salar, | | | | evening explorations begin. Between January |
| with its 300.000 hectares of territory, the | | | | and March, the so called Altiplanic Winter |
| oasis-town of San Pedro de Atacama, which is | | | | comes with occasional showers. |
| the tourist capital of the Chilean north, due | | | | |