Salar de Atacama

The Salar de Atacama is the largest salt flat in Chile, located in the Antofagasta Region. It is surrounded by mountains and lacks drainage outlets. The salt flat encompasses 3,000 km2 and is about 100 km long and 80 km wide. Its average elevation is about 2,300 m above sea level. The topography of the core portion of the salar exhibits a high level of roughness, the result of evaporation and ephemeral surface water. Some areas of the salt flat form part of Los Flamencos National Reserve. The Laguna Cejar is a sink hole lake in the Salar de Atacama, with a salt concentration that produces an effect of floating like the Dead Sea. The Salar de Atacama is also home to a variety of wildlife, including flamingos, taguas, and guallatas. Visitors can observe these birds and other species in their natural habitat. The salar is also a significant hub for lithium extraction, as lithium is found in the brines of the salt flat