SONY DSC

697551975

SONY DSC

Photo by: Kazuki Kimura / EyeEm

Kazuki Kimura / EyeEm

Salar de Uyuni is the World's Largest Natural Mirror

When you think about the most beautiful places in the world, you probably think of mountains or forests. Wait, your list didn't include any salt flats? Preposterous!

March 04, 2020

The Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, and it's considered to be one of the most extreme and remarkable vistas in South America. In the immediate vicinity, you can find an antique train cemetery, a hotel made of salt, and enough lithium to power every device you'll ever own — but the flat itself is definitely enough to write home about.

Mirror, Mirror, On The Floor

Salar de Uyuni is located nearly 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) above sea level in Bolivia's southwest corner, alongside its border with Chile. Formed as a result of thousands of years of transformations among several prehistoric lakes, the flat is remarkably — well, flat, with an altitude that varies by no more than a few feet across the entire 4,086 square-mile (10,583 square-kilometer) expanse. Because of this, when nearby lakes overflow onto the flats during the rainy season (typically December to April), the flat transforms into a shallow "lake" up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) deep. This thin layer of water transforms the area into a stunning reflection of the sky.

Uyuni, Potosí, Bolivia - January 10, 2018: This photo was taken at Salar de Uyuni and captures the wild flamingos and their reflections created by a thin water layer formed above the salt's surface.

921093062

Uyuni, Potosí, Bolivia - January 10, 2018: This photo was taken at Salar de Uyuni and captures the wild flamingos and their reflections created by a thin water layer formed above the salt's surface.

Photo by: Photo taken by Leonardo Costa Farias

Photo taken by Leonardo Costa Farias

The feeling of "infinity" is beautiful, but whether wet or dry, Salar de Uyuni is a dreamland for photographers. The vast expanses and relative lack of landmarks lends itself to playing with perspective in a unique way. And don't worry if you aren't an expert photographer: there are plenty of photography tips specifically designed for getting that perfect Instagram photo during your visit.

A Salt And Battery

Salar de Uyuni isn't just a tourist destination: it also contains more than 9 million tons of lithium, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, or between 50 and 70 percent of the world's known lithium reserves. That's enough to power a lot of laptop batteries. And according to the European Space Agency, the large area, clear skies, and exceptional flatness of its surface makes Salar de Uyuni ideal for calibrating satellite radar altimeters, a kind of radar instrument that measures surface topography. Turns out the stunning views on the ground aren't the only thing about the flat that are out of this world.

Despite the dry conditions, freezing nighttime temperatures, and fierce desert sun, the Salar de Uyuni actually does sustain life, including pink flamingos and rare hummingbirds. The area also sustains something that isn't so alive: a railroad graveyard. Uyuni was once a distribution hub for trains carrying salt and miners to and from the flats, but after attacks by indigenous people in the area, the trains were abandoned. They sit in the sun on the outskirts of Uyuni and now look like a dystopian steampunk scene.

Know what you want before visiting. During the more popular dry season (May to November), the hardened ground allows travelers to drive across the landscape to places that aren't accessible in the rainy season. If you want to see the mirror effect, then you're better off traveling during the wet season, but excessive rains may cause tour cancellations or make certain areas inaccessible. Booking a tour from Uyuni or Tupiza (in Bolivia) or from San Pedro de Atacama (in Chile). Oh, and make sure you have a travel visa, which you'll need to enter Bolivia.

This article first appeared on Curiosity.com.

Next Up

Panama has Hundreds of Islands, Each More Beautiful than the Last

Panama is often overlooked for its more famous neighbors Colombia and Costa Rica, who are renowned worldwide for their biodiversity, colorful cultures, and jaw-dropping scenery. But Panama, which links Central and South America, has a few of its own gems to offer – including the 1,400-plus islands that dot its coast.

Belize's Jungles are Wild, Mysterious and Full of Discovery

More than half of Belize, a Central American country with as many as 2 million indigenous Mayan inhabitants, is covered in dense, sprawling jungle – meaning the region has adventures galore for any traveler wishing to explore.

A Spanish Sunken Galleon Has a $17B Bounty Onboard - and Now You Can See It

Way back in 1708, when the War of Spanish Succession was waging across Europe and Latin America to decide who should be the next King of Spain, three Spanish galleons set sail from Panama. They were loaded to the brim with gold, silver, emeralds, and other jewels that had been extracted from the mines of Bolivia – and were vital in financing Spain’s costly war against its enemies.

Meet the Ancient Egyptian Gods Who Empower DC Comic's Black Adam

Get to know the six ancient Egyptian gods behind the latest DC Comics film Black Adam, starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, in theaters starting October 21.

Giant’s Causeway: The Fascinating Legend Behind Ireland’s Most Famous Landmark

The Giant’s Causeway is known around the world for its beautiful interlocking basalt columns – over 40,000 of them in fact – which look out towards the stormy, gray North Channel.

A Canadian Teen Once Discovered an Ancient Temple – Using Google Maps

Most teenagers while away hours playing video games, scrolling TikTok, or texting friends. Not William Gadoury, a 14-year-old from Saint-Jean-de-Matha, Quebec. Back in 2016, Gadoury was holed up in his bedroom, plotting ancient Mayan constellations against modern satellite images and coordinates.

What's Inside the Secret Chambers in the Pyramids of Giza

A powerful new cosmic ray scan of the Great Pyramid of Giza could finally reveal what’s inside two voids in the structure that have baffled scientists for years.

Discover this Quaint Gem on the English Coast

Tucked in the corner of the southwest of rugged England, lies one of the country’s most-loved gems – Cornwall. The county forms a peninsula fringed with golden sandy beaches, lined with towering cliffs, and dotted with picturesque fishing villages that harken back to days gone by.

There's a Secret Room Behind Mount Rushmore Meant for Future Civilizations

This hidden room within the mountain was designed for the future.

How to Build the 7 Different Campfires You'll Need This Summer

Learn how to master the flame with one of these fires.