A to Z of Must-Do Travel Experiences – S for ‘Salar de Uyuni’
{ Tags: Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni, Salt Flats \ Jun25 }
Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat located in Bolivia. It covers an area of 10,582 square kilometres, and is elevated 3,656 metres above sea level. At the centre point, the salt is over 10 metres thick. It is estimated that the salt flat contains an estimated 10 billion tonnes of salt.
One of the most unique natural landscapes in the world, Salar de Uyuni is incredibly flat with an altitude variation of only one metre over the entire salt flat. During the dry season, the scene is that of an almost hallucinogenic white expanse. However during the wet season, the salt flat is covered with a thin sheet of water, providing a perfect reflection of the sky.
Salar de Uyuni is almost completely devoid of any wildlife or vegetation. There are however giant cacti, which grow at a rate of one centimetre per year, up to a maximum of 12 metres. There are also pink South American flamingos, which breed here every November.