The Atacama desert of Chile is the driest on the planet, however between September and November there is an appearance of various flowers and this is due to the phenomenon of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean, since it implies a warming in the marine currents of the Chilean coast and this generates an increase in rainfall, therefore it causes the seeds that were in a dormant state to germinate when spring arrives, apart from various birds, insects and small lizards, this is known as “flowering desert”. In general, this 105,000-square-kilometer flowery desert appears once a year, but due to the unusual rains caused by the El Niño phenomenon, it flourished between April – May and September – November, providing the necessary rains for the bulbs to germinate. and the rhizomes that remain dormant in this desert place, being the largest flowering of the last 18 years, giving us one of the most beautiful and strange phenomena, where you can see how an arid and sterile desert landscape changes for a moment to be seen thick with fiery colors thanks to the germination of plants and flowers. The flowers that cover this majestic desert are approximately 220 species, the vast majority endemic, that is, it means that it is only possible to find it naturally in that place. Some of the main species of flowers are: aña ñuca, blue bell, calandrina, star of light, malvilla, pink pompom, desert radiata, yellow rose, valley sigh, lion’s claw and guanaco leg. This year it has been possible to witness twice a desert covered in shades of purple, red, white and yellow, generating a real spectacle increasing its biomass and therefore the fauna, adding various species of mammals such as the desert cow, birds, wasps, beetles and reptiles.

However, it must be noted that despite being an unusual and beautiful phenomenon, there are people who take advantage of this either to remove pieces of land with machines to sell the bulbs and seeds, or the illegal trade of flowers or worse, the illegal races racing in the desert. By not having protection the desert we are sending it to destruction, some species of flowers have already disappeared and others have limited their growth.

Some think that because it is a desert, we classify it as absolute dryness, but that it flourishes is one of the mysteries of nature and this phenomenon in Chile shows us that there is an ecosystem that deserves to be preserved by all, which requires all of our contribution, commitment and willingness to take care of this flowery desert, which makes us happy with its various colors and makes it clear that nature still gives us many surprises despite the crimes we commit with it.