Deserts are among the most important geographical areas in Peru, and this is no coincidence, as these arid zones represent almost a quarter of Peru’s land area, totaling around 30 million hectares. Mainly located along the coastal strip, these deserts are usually longer than they are wide. Among them, the Sechura Desert stands out as the largest in the country, at 5,000 km², surpassing even other deserts in South America.
Sechura Desert: Peru’s Arid Giant
Located in northwestern Peru, above the departments of Piura and Lambayeque, the Sechura Desert is one of the largest coastal areas in the country. With a length of 150 km (north to south) and a width of 100 km (east to west), these are the characteristics that make the Sechura Desert the largest in Peru.
The desert has a mostly flat terrain, characterized by a broad plateau covered with a thick layer of sand and the presence of some hills and ridges that rise above the surface. Furthermore, underground watercourses are part of its geography, allowing for the existence of rivers and some ravines. The desert soils, originating from Cenozoic materials, contain a wealth of minerals such as phosphate and petroleum, among others.
The Altitude and Climate of the Sechura Desert
At an average altitude of 100 meters above sea level, the Sechura Desert is characterized by a dry climate, with short summers and long winters. These conditions create an extreme environment that challenges life and shapes the species that manage to adapt to its particular conditions.
On the other hand, the average temperature normally hovers around 25°C, although, depending on rainfall and other factors, it can drop to 17°C or rise to 30°C. Likewise, rainfall is typically scarce, as in all deserts, with only 150 mm per year.
The 12 Plant Species Found in the Sechura Desert
Like any desert, the scarcity of flora and fauna prevents the development of pleasant ecosystems in the arid soils of Sechura. However, despite this limitation, there are about 12 plant species, such as the algarrobo macho, the azote de Cristo, the flor de arena, the guayabito de gentil, the sapote, the hierba blanca, the charamusco, the manito de ratón, and the lito.
However, since the area lacks a great biodiversity of fauna, you can find donkeys, reptiles, goats, and various bird species, a mixture of terrestrial and aquatic birds; thirteen of these are endemic. Additionally, some species can also be found, such as the Sechura fox or Peruvian desert fox, which is found only in this area and in southern Ecuador.
The Driest desert in the world is in South America
It’s not in Bolivia or Argentina. We’re referring to the Atacama Desert, located exactly between two mountain ranges: the Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range. It is the only true desert that receives less precipitation than the polar deserts and the largest cloud desert in the world.
According to experts cited by the Aquae Foundation, the Atacama Desert covers 105,000 km² or 128,000 km² if the arid lower slopes of the Andes are included.
This desert plateau in South America crosses the Norte Grande and Norte Chico regions of Chile. It also encompasses regions of Arica and Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama, and the northern part of the Coquimbo region. It covers a 1,600-kilometer strip and is located at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, with mountains reaching 6,000 meters.