Atacama (ä' tä-kä' mȧ) Desert, a region in the northern part of Chile which, on account of its location, is not reached by the rain-bearing winds and consequently receives almost no rainfall. The surface is mountainous and sterile, but is rich in minerals, especially copper. In the more elevated parts are found rich deposits of salt, borax and nitrate. In the eastern part of the country there is sufficient rainfall to permit the growth of herbage, which is used as fodder for llamas and other animals.