The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is the driest non-polar place on Earth. Some areas have not received rain for decades. This aridity is caused by its position between the Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range, creating a double rain shadow. Because of its high altitude, low humidity, and lack of light pollution, it is one of the best places in the world for astronomical observation. It hosts the world's most advanced telescopes, including those of the European Southern Observatory. The desert is also rich in minerals, particularly copper and lithium, which are essential for modern electronics and electric vehicle batteries. Its unique soil composition is so similar to Mars that NASA uses the Atacama as a testing ground for planetary rovers and instruments designed to look for life on other planets.