The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is one of the driest places on Earth, but certain parts of it are currently covered in abundant white and purple flowers. Atacama is known as Disierto Florida ("flowering desert") because it happens to be covered in flowers in the spring.
However, flowering in this period, when it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, seems unusual. According to experts, this has come about thanks to the rainfall induced by El Niño, a climate phenomenon caused by global warming.
Over the past 40 years, the desert has bloomed about 15 times. But more rain is expected ahead, meaning the flowers could spread over a larger area.
In 2022, the government announced the creation of a new national park in the Atacama desert, in an effort to protect the flourishing areas.
