The country with the least rain is generally considered to be Chile, specifically the Atacama Desert region.
While it's difficult to definitively state which country always has the absolute least rain due to fluctuating weather patterns and variations within countries, the Atacama Desert in Chile is consistently recognized as one of the driest places on Earth.
Why Chile?
- Atacama Desert: The Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert on Earth. Some areas have reportedly never received rain.
- Arica, Chile: The city of Arica in Chile holds the record for the lowest average annual rainfall, averaging only 0.03 inches (0.08 cm) over a 59-year period.
- Calama, Chile: The city of Calama, also in the Atacama Desert, has recorded instances of no rainfall ever being recorded.
Considerations:
- Regional Variations: Rainfall varies greatly within countries. While the Atacama Desert is extremely dry, other parts of Chile receive significantly more rain.
- Data Collection: Accurate rainfall data collection over extended periods is essential, and discrepancies can occur.
- Dry Valleys, Antarctica: The McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica are arguably even drier, but Antarctica is a continent, not a country.
Therefore, based on available data and considering countries with inhabited regions, Chile is the most accurate answer.
