GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
General Antecedents
The commune of San Pedro de Atacama its a small village located in the middle of Atacama´s Desert (is the aridest of the world). Where the Atacameña thousand - year - old culture was developed and got used the inhospitable of this land.
In the oriental surroundings of the Atacama Salt Flat , to 2.400 mts. above sea level are distributed the majority of the towns, these are dedicated to farming, mining (lithium), tourism and crafts activities. The population is about 3.000 habitants.
Archaeological Capital
In the lower slopes of the imposing Lincancabur Volcano, the biggest existing height in the commune (5.916 mts. asl), the history and the modernization are melted. With an antiquity over the 11.000 years, the San Pedro de Atacama culture, in its different evolution satges, received the influence from differents cultures of South America like Tiahuanaku, Aymara, Inca and later from West with the spaniard conquest and colonization.
The tows of nowadays still keep alive old traditions where are confused indigenous and spanish features. Everyone who visit San Pedro de Atacama will feel first of all admiration to find with "Pueblo de los Oasis"
Climate
Normal Desert: predominates between the 900 and 2.800 m.a.s.l. it is characterized by the great atmospheric clearness, with an average of 12 hours of sun, low relative humidity, strong daily thermal fluctuation and also few rains. The temperatures present extreme values of 26ºC to the maximum of January (summer) and -2ºC to the minimum in July (winter) - San Pedro de Atacama.
Cold Desert: covers a strip of longitude comprised between 2.800 and 4.000 m.a.s.l. The thermal system registers lower temperatures with regard to the Normal Desert. High Land of San Pedro de Atacama (El Tatio Géisers area).
Environment
Even in these fragile desert ecosystems, human life has continued to develop as a result of mutual respect between man and nature. The Atacama culture was born in an environment where water was its the most important element, the centre of the life. The continuation of the village is found joined to the natural resources which preserve. If you are visiting San Pedro de Atacama, please do not forget that land, water, air, animals and plants share their life with us since thousands of years. Please respect this natural and cultural heritage.
Géiseres del Tatio
Altitude of 4.321 m.a.s.l., this geothermal field is activated by the adyacent Tatio Volcano. In the early morning, we can observe various vapours smokes up to 6 mts. high with a temperature of about 85ºC. During the rest of the day you can see smokes that pouring out of volcano cones. It´s dangerous to get too close.
Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)
Altitude 2.624 m.a.s.l.. This fascinating landscape belong part of the "Cordillera de Sal" (Salt mountain chain). It present various distinct stratified layers and salt formations, with sculpture ways which have thousand of years old attracting attention, like "Las tres Marías".
Pukará de Quitor (indian ruins)
Altitude 2.440 m.a.s.l. This is a pre-inca forttree covering an area of 2.5 hectares, strategically located on a steep hill overseeing the sourroundings. Its buildings are constructed with alternating stones, which are bound together by mud.
Salar de Atacama (Atacama Salt Flat)
Altitude 2.305 m.a.s.l. This salt lake is the largest in Chile, occupying ab area of 15.620 square kms., with white and rough surface, covered with dust from the surrounding desert. Underneath is a great lake, which locally reaches the surface, forming small pools providing habitat to range of water fowl including pink flamingos and gulls of Andes.
