The desert known as the driest place on Earth is the Atacama Desert, located in northern Chile. It is characterized by its extreme aridity and has regions that have not seen rainfall for many years. The desert's unique climate is influenced by its geographical position, the cold Humboldt Current off the coast, and the Andes mountains, which block moisture-laden winds. Some weather stations in the Atacama have recorded almost no rainfall in decades. Despite harsh conditions, the desert is home to various unique flora and fauna that have adapted to survive in such a limited water environment.