The Atacama Desert is located west of the Andes Mountains in Chile. It is considered the driest desert in the world, only receiving an average annual rainfall of approximately one millimeter. Some locations within the desert have never seen rain at all. Periods of up to four years have been recorded with no rainfall in the central sector. The desert is composed mainly of stones, salt lakes, and sand.
In one of the regions of the Atacama Desert it's soil is comparable to that on Mars. Due to it's physical appearance, it has been used for the location of filming movie scenes on Mars. NASA scientists also use it as a testing site for future Mars missions due to the soil's similar composition to that on Mars.
Despite the seemingly unlivable climate and conditions of the Atacama Desert, many plants live there. Over 500 species have been gathered within the desert borders. Some of the common species are things such as thyme, saltgrass, and llareta. It is also home to succulents, cacti, and other dry climate loving plants.
As for fauna, the desert conditions do not allow many animals to make up permanent residence. However, some species such as scorpions, grasshoppers, and reptiles have been found here at certain times of the year. Humboldt penguins are the largest animal group in the Atacama, living year-round along the coast. Flamingos enjoy the salt lakes, and other birds are often seen visiting.
Human populations live in the desert, though most towns are located along the Pacific coast, housing around 1000 people. It is a popular site for astronomical observations, all-terrain sports, and solar car racing.