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RARE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE FLOWERING OF THE
DESERT
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The phenomenon of the flowering of the desert rarely
takes place because it is dependent upon necessary rainfall in
the Winter Months. Sufficient rain is needed for the seeds,
which have been lying dormant in the dry desert to come to life
and flourish for a very short time in the spring. It is only possible
to enjoy this 'miracle' in the desert for a very short time, from
the end of August until mid October. The seeds which lie dormant
for many years are specially adapted to these extreme conditions,
but which are able to come back to life should there be the unusual
rains to awaken the dry desert into a multi coloured spectacle.
More than 200 species of flowers
can be identified including the red and yellow aņaņucas and the
unique lions paw which is very rare.
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When the dry
desert comes to life and flourishes it is a wonderful sight, the
opportunity to enjoy the colours of the blooms that cover the plains and
gorges can be in contrast to the surrounding arid mountains. But this
is no ordinary occurrence, the last time was in 1997 but 1991 was the most
impressive. Before that there were only three opportunities in 1963,
1972 and 1987. This year after the heavy summer rains it is expected
that the year 2000 will provide another chance to witness at first hand
this beautiful phenomenon.
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Traveling
north from La Serena along the Route 5, the Pan American highway beyond
Vallenar where the desert begins to flower, there is a choice of routes
towards the northern coast which are particularly suitable for discovering
this spectacle especially around the "Huasco" valley and
northwards to Puerto Carrzal, around Algarrobal and Chacritas. Going
south there are expanses of flourishing desert areas towards Guangueros and
Tongoy but one of the most beautiful places to visit in the spring is the
Fray Jorge National Park, with an ecosystem where the semi arid
desert comes to life, contrasting with the vegetation of the Valdivian
woodlands kept watered by the sea fog or "camanchaca". All these
locations are worth visiting to appreciate the chance to see this
unusual miracle.
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