Uyuni or Tunupa Salt plane, with a surface of 12.000 km2 is the biggest salt desert in the world. It lies at an altitude of 3650 m in the department of Potosi, the high plateau of Bolivia, near the Andes mountain chain. The area covered by this desert was flooded by Ballivian Lake 40.000 years ago. The Coipasa salt plane and Poopo and Uru Uru Lakes are also vestiges of this huge prehistoric lake. There are around 11 layers that vary from 2 to 10 m of thickness. The outer layer is 10 m thick. The salt plane is about 120 m deep. It is composed of layers of brine and mud.

This brine consists of Lithium, Boron, Potassium, Magnesium, Carbonates (borax) and Sulphates of Sodium. An interesting mineral is the Ulexite - television rock, because it is transparent- . This salt plane is considered the biggest reserve of lithium, although its extraction is very difficult due to the lack of water. Lithium can be an energetic substitute of oil. From Uyuni salt plane, where there exist around 64 billion tons of salt, 25 thousand tons are extracted every year.

Isla del Pescado (Fish island)

Incahuasi Island, usually called "Isla del Pescado", is located in the centre of Uyuni Salt Plane, in the department of Potosí. It has a surface of 24,62 hectares. It has a rough topography, and it is covered with Treichoreous cactus that can reach 10 m. It is surrounded by a flat, white sea of hexagonal salt tiles.

Informatión of Potosí The history of Sucre Places to visit in Potosí Casa de la Moneda (Coin House) - Potosí Uyuni salt plane - Potosí Otras Atracciones en Potosí Reserva Eduardo Abaroa - Potosí Lagoon - Red, Green and White - Potosí