Salar de Uyuni: world's largest salt pan

Salar de Uyuni (also called Salar de Tunupa) is the world's largest salt flat with an area of around 11,000 km² at an altitude of 3,650 metres. The area was part of Lake Minchin, a giant prehistoric lake, around 40,000 years ago. When eventually the lake dried, it left behind two modern lakes, Lago Poopó and Lago Uru Uru, and two major salt deserts: Salar de Coipasa and the larger Salar de Uyuni.

Salar de Uyuni is estimated to contain 10 billion tons of salt, of which less than 25,000 tons is extracted annually, with pick and shovel. Salar de Uyuni is also a breeding ground for three species of South American flamingos. There are several tracks that connect settlements around it and there are several "islands", like Isla de Pescadores, with its stands of cactus. One of the highlights is the unique Hotel Luna Salada, built entirely out of salt blocks, inside and out. Various travel companies offer trips by four wheel drive around the area.

	Hotel Luna Salada	Furniture, salt hotel	In Hotel Luna Salada	Cacti, Isla de Pescadora
	Isla de Pescadora	Salar de Uyuni	Quinoa field	View to San Juan
	San Juan	Near San Juan	Llamas near San Juan	Llama

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