Atacama Desert

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Arid coastal region of northern Chile, with an area of about 80,000 sq km/31,000 sq mi, and extending south from the Peruvian border for 965 km/600 mi. It consists of a series of salt pans within a plateau region. Its rainless condition is caused by the Peru Current offshore; any moist airstreams from the Amazon basin are blocked by the Andean Mountains. The desert has silver and copper mines, and extensive nitrate and iodine deposits. The main population centres are the ports of Antofagasta and Iquique.

Green represents the Catholic people. Orange stands for the Protestant people. White is a symbol of peace. Effective date: 29 December 1937. >>