What is the driest place on Earth?

The driest place on Earth is the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Some parts of the desert receive less than 1 millimetre (0.04 inches) of rainfall per year, and some areas have not seen rain for centuries. The extreme aridity is due to its location between two mountain ranges—the Andes and the Chilean Coast Range—which block moisture. Despite its harsh conditions, the Atacama hosts unique life forms, including specialised plants and microorganisms, and serves as a testing site for Mars exploration due to its similarity to Martian terrain.