Breathtaking Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia

Americas Now

Breathtaking Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia

What the landlocked nation of Bolivia lacks in fiscal success, it certainly makes up for in natural beauty. Just a few hours from the capital city of La Paz, locals and travelers can find respite from the harsh economic conditions with magical landscapes and fresh Andean air.

One unusual escape in particular, is considered by many visitors as one of the most breath-taking spots in the world. High in the mountains of Bolivia, there is a place where sky and land never seem to meet.

It’s called Salar de Uyuni. Where water from a prehistoric lake gradually evaporated…leaving behind 10 billion tons of salt. And a breathtaking natural phenomenon. Their heaven-like imagery, attracting over 60,000 visitors a year.

The Uyuni salt beds contain 10 billion tons of salt. Locals “harvest” over 25,000 tons per year, piling the salt into hundreds of cone-shaped mounds and then shoveling it by hand into trucks. The salt is sold in Bolivia and is also exported all over the world. Its grains are large and similar to sea salt. The salt flat itself is 120 meters thick (deep). Scientists indicate there are actually 11 layers of salt, each between 2 and 10 meters in depth.

Breathtaking Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia

What the landlocked nation of Bolivia lacks in fiscal success, it certainly makes up for in natural beauty. Just a few hours from the capital city of La Paz, locals and travelers can find respite from the harsh economic conditions with magical landscapes and fresh Andean air.