About Atacama Desert: Parts of the Atacama may have gone hundreds of years without rain. It sits between the Andes Mountains and the coast, blocked from rain on both sides. Giant telescopes are built here because the sky is so clear and dry. Some weather stations here have never recorded a single drop of rain

Location: Northern Chile, along the Pacific coast · Country: Chile · Yearly Rain: Less than 1 mm a year in the driest parts · Why So Dry: Mountains block rain on both sides, and a cold ocean current dries the air · Record: The driest non-polar (hot) desert in the world · Nature: Red, rocky ground that looks like another planet · Notable Feature: Its clear, dry skies make it one of the best places on Earth to watch the stars · World Rank: The driest hot desert on Earth