The Atacama Desert is among the driest places on Earth, with some spots almost rainless.

The longer version

Dryness comes from a combination of geography and air circulation. A cold ocean current along the coast chills the air, and cool air holds little moisture, so rain clouds rarely form. A mountain barrier to the east blocks moist air coming from the interior, and a persistent zone of sinking air suppresses storms.

Some weather stations there have recorded no measurable rain for years at a time. Fog drifting in from the sea provides the main moisture, and specialised plants and microbes survive on it. The clear, dry air also makes the region attractive for observatories.

Where this entry sits

These facts wander across maps, borders, deserts, rivers, mountains, and the extreme corners of the natural world. Each one is short and self-contained, offering a small surprise about places you may never visit rather than anything you actually need. The full list sits on the Geography page, where every entry is listed in order.

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