At the edge of the Pacific Ocean, tucked away at the confluence of the Peruvian cold current and the subtropical high, lies a lonely and strange city – Arica, Chile.
The name of this city, known as a rare drought in the world, shines in the long river of history, but it is like a mirage in the desert, carrying endless mysteries and contradictions.
Arica, a port city located in northern Chile, faces its neighbor Peru. Here, for 400 years, the sky has been washed, and no clouds or rain have fallen. The average annual precipitation is only 0.761 mm, making it the driest city on Earth.
The causes of the drought can be traced back to the downdrafts of the subtropical high pressure zone, the continuous blowing of offshore winds, and the cooling effect of the cold current in Peru. The combination of these forces of nature creates a natural barrier that makes it difficult for the humid Pacific currents to reach this desert land.
In such a natural environment, the inhabitants of Arica face serious challenges to survive, especially in terms of access to drinking water. There are no rivers or lakes, and underground water sources are hard to find. As a result, residents have to rely on water imported from Peru.
About 2 million litres of water are transported from Tacna to Arica in Peru every day, providing the basic needs of the population. However, this reliance on external water sources is not only costly, but also highly susceptible to logistical and political changes, which can have a significant impact on the lives of residents if disrupted.
Faced with such a serious water problem, the government and businesses in Arica have taken a series of measures to achieve sustainable use of water resources. Among them, the construction of desalination plants has become one of the most effective solutions.
These desalination plants convert the vast expanse of Pacific Ocean water into sweet fresh water, supplying the city with about 5 million litres per day. In addition to this, the application of fog water collectors and the promotion of water conservation awareness are also bringing hope to this arid city.
Although desalination technology faces problems such as high energy consumption, high cost, and possible impact on the marine environment, it has become an important means for Arica to solve the water crisis.
In the concluding part of the article, we can see that the existence of the arid city of Arica is not only a geographical phenomenon, but also a challenge to human ingenuity and creativity. In the face of extreme conditions given by nature, Arica demonstrates the ability of humans to adapt and transform their living environment.
By building desalination plants, using mist water collectors, and promoting water conservation awareness, Arica is proving to the world that even under the most adverse conditions, humanity can find a way to survive and thrive through wisdom and technology.
This is not only an inspiration to the residents of Arica, but also a valuable experience and inspiration for other parts of the world facing similar challenges.