[1] This ecoregion occupies the southwestern portion of the Altiplano and is located east of the Atacama Desert.

Other major geographical features are the lakes Poopó and Coipasa, and the many volcanoes that tower over the altiplano, including Parinacota, Nevado Sajama, Tata Sabaya, Ollagüe, Licancabur, Lascar, Aracar, Socompa and Llullaillaco.

In addition, numerous and colorful small lakes and ponds dot this region.

[1] In December 2023, scientists, for the first time, reported a recently discovered area on the current planet Earth, particularly in the territory of Puna de Atacama, which may be similar to ancient Earth, and the related environment of the first life forms on Earth - as well as - similar to possibly hospitable conditions on the planet Mars during earlier Martian times.

[1] The genera Menonvillea, Nototriche, Pycnophyllum, and Werneria are characteristic of the dry puna.