Located inland, Bolivia is often considered a poor and backward country, but little do people know that it is home to one of the most astonishing natural wonders in the world – the Salar de Uyuni.
The Salar de Uyuni is situated near the town of Uyuni in southwestern Bolivia, at an altitude of nearly 3,700 meters. With an area of over 10,000 square kilometers, it takes on a crescent moon shape and is the largest salt flat in the world, holding rich deposits of rock salt and gypsum. Additionally, the brine of the salt flat is rich in mineral resources such as lithium, boron, potassium, magnesium, and sodium.
This geological wonder was formed during the uplift of the Andes Mountains. The Andes Mountains are relatively young mountains that, after experiencing intense geological activities, rose from the sea. In the process, numerous lakes filled with seawater were formed. Approximately 40,000 years ago, the area where the Salar de Uyuni lies used to be a prehistoric mega-lake called Lake Minchin. As it gradually dried up, it gave rise to two large saline lakes: Poopó Lake and Uru Uru Lake, as well as two major salt flats: Salar de Uyuni and Salar de Coipasa.
Around the edges of the Salar de Uyuni, salt flats are cultivated, with main fields connected by roads. Due to low rainfall and dry climate, most of the year is considered a dry season. During this time, the ground is covered with hexagonal salt crystals, creating an endless white world. However, in the rainy season (from December to March), shallow water covers the flat salt crust, forming a massive natural mirror. The blue sky and pristine clouds are reflected in it, creating a breathtaking scene. This is the legendary “Mirror of the Sky,” listed by National Geographic as one of the world’s top ten natural wonders.
In the middle of the Salar de Uyuni, there is a small island called Isla de Pescado, covered with cacti, serving as a resting point for those crossing the salt flat. Additionally, there is a hotel made entirely of salt, complete with hot springs, geysers, colorful lakes, making it one of the most beautiful places on Earth and a dream destination for travelers and photographers alike.