After heavy rains in March and August, the Atacama Desert in Chile is now swimming under a sea of unprecedented pink floral beauty. The breathtaking land that usually stays parched by a scorching sun is considered one of the driest deserts on earth. Arica, Chile, in the northern Atacama, holds the record for the world's longest dry spell. Not a droplet of rain fell upon this South American desert for over 14 years.
The malva (or mallow) flowers on the floor of the Atacama desert bloom every five to seven years, usually coinciding with El Nino. But they have been taking advantage of this year’s particularly rainy conditions, leading to the “most spectacular blossoming of the past 18 years.”
One local resident says, "For us it was a miracle. For all the years that I have lived here, I have never seen what the flora looked like until now." Here is a video which displays the Chile's blossoming desert:
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Here is a video which reveals more of Chile's natural and cultural beauty:
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As with every country, Chile has a tumultuous political side, but none can deny it's one of the most stunningly beautiful places on earth. If you happen to in Chile or nearby, you'll need to get over to this desert bouquet of beauty quickly, as these blushing blooms will not last long. To learn a more about the country of Chile, visit: NationalGeographic.com Special thanks to Joe Ruiz/NPR, Angela Fritz/Washington Post, Reuters and Alina Joy Schmidt