Thriving in the Driest Place on Earth: Life in San Pedro de Atacama

Despite the harsh desert climate, certain areas have natural resources that support life. For instance, underground water sources enable the growth of vegetation in specific spots that create oases -- fertile places in deserts where communities are able to settle. 

What challenges do people face living in this environment?:

Living in the Atacama Desert presents many challenges, including water scarcity, extreme temperatures and limited farming land. With minimal rainfall, accessing fresh water is a constant concern. Further, days can be extremely hot, while nights are often freezing. Finally, the dry, sandy soil makes farming difficult.

How have people been adapting to this environment?:

 The Indigenous Atacameño communities have developed innovative methods to thrive in this environment:

  • Agricultural Techniques: They cultivate crops like corn, quinoa and beans using irrigation systems that maximize the use of scarce water resources.
  • Solar Energy Utilization: This more modern adaptation lets people take advantage of the long, sunny days by using solar panels to generate electricity.
  • Tourism: Residents offer tourism, using guided tours to share the unique landscapes and culture with visitors, which is a large source of income for the region.

Through resilience and innovation, communities have found ways to adapt, survive and flourish in one of the most challenging environments on the planet! 

Location:
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Location Data:
POINT (-68.1983615 -22.9101983)

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