Click on this link to see many more Atacama Desert stock photography images. Please use the searchable database facility to refine your search.

The main feature of Chile's northern regions is the Atacama Desert which stretches for approx 1000km south of the Peru border; the same desert system continues north along the Peruvian coast. It is commonly regarded as the world's driest; the average rainfall for the Antofagasta Region is just 1mm / year and some areas have never recorded rainfall. Most towns are found along the coast where fishing is a major industry, the seas and coast are as rich in marine life as the land is barren. The region is also rich in minerals - the world's largest copper mines are found here and in the late 19th and early 20th centuries it produced most of the world's nitrates. Many abandoned nitrate mining towns from this period can still be visited, the best known being the UNESCO Heritage sites of Humberstone and Santa Laura near Iquique. Despite the inhospitable environment the Atacama has a long history of human occupation, with many archaeological sites and geoglyphs. The Chinchorro mummies discovered near Arica date from around 5000BC and are the oldest known example of human attempts to preserve the dead so far discovered.

High quality photographic prints of Chile with a wide choice of framing options, canvas wrap prints and greeting cards are available. Please visit the Framed Prints page for more details. If you would like a print of any photograph that is not in the gallery please contact James Brunker at magicalandesphotos@yahoo.com A high resolution version of the desired image can easily be uploaded for you.

Please click on an image to see a larger version and description.

All photographic images and text © James Brunker 1999 - 2012. Reproduction or use of images without prior permission strictly prohibited.