Salar de Uyuni is the worlds largest salt flat, spanning over an amazing 12,000 sq km (4633 sq mi) in south-western Bolivia. Unlike traditional deserts, which have sand in abundance, the Salar de Uyuni features vast expanses of glistening white salt. The landscape is entirely flat, bar a few small 'islands' such as Isla Incahuasi, which only accentuates its surreal beauty. Underneath the cemented salt are large reservoirs of lithium-rich brine. In fact, approximately 70% of the world's lithium reserves are found in Salar de Uyuni.
It was part of a prehistoric salt lake, Lago Minchin, which once covered most of southwest Bolivia. When it dried up, it left a couple of seasonal puddles and several salt pans, including the Salar de Uyuni.
When it rains, the salty crust becomes a giant mirror and a giant mirror means giant, double sunsets!
With no place to drain, water collated to form a giant lake. As the prehistoric lake evaporated under the fierce Sun, a thick crust of salt remained, forming what we now recognize as the salt flats of Salar de Uyuni. The world seems to extend to the infinity here.
Unlike any other place on earth, the Salar de Uyuni is breathtakingly beautiful and provides an extraordinary experience that will not be quickly forgotten. Photo Courtesy - rustedufo.livejournal.com