The magnificent Salar de Uyuni with its 10,582 square km (4,085 square miles) is the largest salt flat in the world. It is located in the department of Potosi in the Southwest of Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes, at an altitude of 3,650 meters above sea level. Like 40,000 years ago, the area was part of Lake Minchin, a gigantic prehistoric lake. When the lake dried up, it left as its remains two lakes, Poopó and Uru Uru, and two large saline deserts, Salar de Coipasa and the greater Uyuni. Uyuni is about 25 times larger than the Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States of America. It is estimated that the Salar de Uyuni contains 10 billion tons of which less than 25,000 tons are extracted annually. Every November, the Salar de Uyuni is the breeding scene for three species of South American flamingos – Chilean, James and Andean. In the middle of this sea of salt there is a desert oasis. Pescado Island, named for its fish shape, covered in gigantic cacti. It's the only sign of life for miles. Planning a visit but short on time? The Uyuni salt flat is a point that should not be missed on the list of places to visit!