Where is the Atacama Desert located in relation to Andes Mountains?

The Atacama Desert is located on the western side of the Andes Mountains, along the Pacific coast of South America. It stretches across Peru and Chile, covering an area of over 105,000 square kilometers (41,000 square miles). The desert is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Andes Mountains to the east, and the Peruvian and Chilean highlands to the north and south. The Atacama Desert is known for its extremely arid climate, with some areas receiving less than 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) of rain per year. It is one of the driest places on Earth, and is home to a unique ecosystem adapted to the extreme conditions.