Desert

Potosí Department, Bolivia

The desert is an unavoidable part of life in Bolivia’s Potosí Department. “Nearly the whole of its surface is covered with sand or barren mountains,” wrote English author Charles Knight in the 19th century.¹ Now, as then, the region is incredibly dry and barren, but the hearty travelers who venture into that country are rewarded with desolately beautiful views.²

Despite the barrenness of the land, Potosí Department has yielded significant amounts of silver over the years, and other minerals are still mined today. The region is also home to the largest salt desert in the world, Salar de Uyuni.³

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References

1. Knight, Charles. The English Cyclopædia: A New Dictionary of Universal Knowledge. London, United Kingdom: Bradbury and Evans, 1854. Accessed 2 June 2013.
2. Niemann, Michael. Potosi, Bolivia. Michael Niemann’s Blog. 10 Apr. 2012. Accessed 2 June 2013.
3. Uyuni Salt Plane - Potosi. Hotels de su Merced. Accessed 2 June 2013.

Published 2018-06-18