The snow-white desert of Argentina

A cursory glance at this snow-white plains have thoughts of snow and cold. But this is the first impression is deceptive - the temperature in the Argentine desert Salinas Grandes salt on some days reaching 45 degrees Celsius.

Salinas Grandes - a vast salt marsh located in a tectonic depression at an altitude of 170 m between the ridges of the Sierra Pampa in Argentina.




Salar cross the highway and railroad trip which offers impressive views of the snow-white expanse.



The total area of ​​the Salinas Grandes salt desert - about 8,500 km2.



Salinas Grandes - is a relic of the dried lake bottom. This lifeless plain is suitable only for the extraction of mineral salts.



On the territory of the borders of the marsh Argentine province of Salta and Jujuy.



Only sometimes in the desert water accumulates: dripping from the nearby mountains or rain comes.



Because of the incredible heat and frequent winds, water, standing a little calm mirror-like surface, evaporates very quickly.



On the territory of the marsh are mined minerals - there are extensive deposits of soda and potash.



Chloride and sulphate of soda, potash and borax crystallized here directly on a solid white crust. It remains only to scrape them.



Also - snow-white salt desert attracts tourists.



Many curious travelers come here to see the salt marsh, the third largest in the world.



Travel salt desert - it's quite extreme rest.



Brave tourists are advised to wear good sunglasses used for uncoated parts of the skin strong sunscreen and stock up on plenty of drinking water - its no place to take in the Salinas Grandes.



Travelers can see the process of production of mineral salts ...



And also dine in the restaurant Solyanoi «Restaurant de Sal» under the open sky.





In Salinas Grandes can buy figurines made of salt, which made local workers







On all sides saline resembling a frozen lake, surrounded by mountains.