If you think that summer drags on and is just one hot, dry day after another; you may be interested to know there are some places in the world that take dry to an entirely different extreme. The three driest places on earth have little rainfall (if any), making it difficult to grow anything since any water continuously evaporates from the surface.
The Three Driest Places on Earth
- Antarctica’s Dry Valleys
Although when most people think of Antarctica they picture a terrain covered in snow, the dry valleys of Antarctica is the driest place on earth. There is no rainfall in this area of the globe, and ice or snow is rarely seen because it is an ice-free region. The mountains and unique weather conditions block any flowing ice from the sea to reach this area. When it is cold, the wind can blow as fast as 200 mph, and heats while it descends thus evaporating all ice, snow and water in its path.
It is interesting to note that the Antarctica’s dry valleys are considered to be the closest terrain to Mars on earth.
- Arica Chile – The Driest City
This city, located in Chile, is the driest city in the world, with an average rainfall of 0.03 inches per year. Although it rarely rains there, Arica has a cloud cover and high humidity level. However, even though the air is moist, the wetness does not make it to ground level.
The Atacama Deseret surrounds Arica.It is interesting to note that some areas in the desert have not had rain in over five centuries.
- Aswan, Egypt
Aswan, Egypt is the sunniest southern city in the country (about 81 miles south of Luxor) and gets an average of 0.0338 inches of rain each year. Although the Aswan Dam (an embankment dam built across the Nile) is located there, for the most part the city does not get any moisture.
Although some areas of Egypt get an ocean breeze, Aswan does not, thus it is hot and dehydrated for the entire year. Another factor that plays a role in Aswan’s climate is the city’s proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, which contributes to the dry weather and extremely high temperatures, with sand blasting winds reaching 100 mph.
It is interesting to note that the stones used to build the pyramids at Gaza came from the dry valleys of Aswan, Egypt.
Save Time and Money With a Water Locating Services
Chances are high that you are not planning to drill a water well in one of the three driest places on earth, but wherever you drill you run the risk of not finding water. This is where a water locating service can make a huge difference.
Long before the water drillers show up to get to work, you want to be sure there is water where you are drilling. This not only saves you a lot of time, but potentially thousands of dollars as well.
If you need to find water so you know where to build your well, call American Water Surveyors at 1(877) 734-7661 or visit our website.
