Where the Sky Meets the Earth
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni is considered one of the
most extreme and remarkable vistas in all of South America,
if not Earth. Stretching more than 4,050 square miles of the
Altiplano, it is the world's largest salt flat, left
behind by prehistoric lakes evaporated long ago. Here, a thick crust
of salt extends to the horizon, covered by quilted, polygonal patterns
of salt rising from the ground.
At certain times of the year, nearby lakes overflow and a thin layer
of water transforms the flats into a stunning reflection of the sky.
This beautiful and otherworldly terrain serves as a lucrative
extraction site for salt and lithium—the element responsible for
powering laptops, smart phones, and electric cars. In addition to
local workers who harvest these minerals, the landscape is home to the
world's first salt hotel and populated by road-tripping
tourists.
Learn more on wikipedia