<P> The Atacama Desert is popular with all - terrain sports enthusiasts . Various championships have taken place here including the Lower Atacama Rally, Lower Chile Rally, Patagonia - Atacama Rally and the latter Dakar Rally's editions . The rally was organized by the A.S.O. and held in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 . The dunes of the desert are ideal rally races located in the outskirts of the city of Copiapó . The 2013 Dakar 15 - Day Rally started on 5 January in Lima, Peru, through Chile, Argentina and back to Chile finishing in Santiago . Visitors also use the Atacama Desert sand dunes for Sandboarding (Spanish: duna). </P> <P> A week - long foot race called the Atacama Crossing is a race in which the competitors cross the various landscapes of the Atacama . </P> <P> An event called Volcano Marathon takes place near the Lascar volcano in the Atacama Desert . </P> <P> Eighteen solar powered cars were displayed in front of the presidential palace (La Moneda) in Santiago in November 2012 . The cars were then raced 1,300 kilometres (810 mi) through the desert from 15--19 November 2012 . </P>

What is the largest desert in south america